Contract Marriage With The Cold Hearted Billionaire

"The clock’s ticking, Mrs Martin's. And I'm not sure how much more time Jake has.” Evelyn held her breath as Dr. Patel's words filled his office. The doctor gave her a pitying look as she tried to focus on his moving lips, her mind already calculating the mounting bills that threatened to drown them. Jake had been so sick lately that she'd missed three shifts at the bar already this week. Like the devoted sister she was, she'd done everything possible to keep him comfortable and cared for, working double shifts and overtime until her feet bled in her worn shoes. She had made it her mission to give him the best care possible since their parents' death, picking up every extra job she could find. It was never enough for his condition, but little things like extra night shifts and selling their old possessions would surely help with the medical bills. Only she had frozen in horror when Dr. Patel mentioned the new treatment costs. The numbers stared back at her, very large on the pape

The hospital doors flew open as Evelyn bursted through them. The phone call from moments ago kept replaying in her head - Jake's condition had worsened, and the bills were now urgently due. She didn't even wait to catch her breath before rushing into Dr. Patel's office. "How is this possible?" she gasped and gripped the back of a chair for support. "You mentioned last time that his condition was stable for now." Dr. Patel barely looked up from his computer screen. "I told you his condition could worsen at any time. This isn't something we can control." "Please," Evelyn's voice cracked. "Just give me more time. I can find the money, I swear." "Time?" Dr. Patel scoffed as he finally meeting her gaze. "Your brother doesn't have time. Either you produce the funds, or we'll have to consider other options." Evelyn's mind raced. Why was this happening now? She'd just lost her job, and now Jake's life was hanging by a thread. "Can I at least see him?" she pleaded. "No," Dr. Patel said fl

"What? Twenty million dollars and Jake's treatment? What are you waiting for?" Mia's eyes widened as she paced around Evelyn's small living room, her designer heels clicking against the floor.Evelyn sat slumped on the couch, her head in her hands. She had just finished recounting the events of the previous day, and the weight of Ethan Maverick's offer hung heavy in the air. She looked up at her friend, exhaustion written across her face. "I'll never marry someone who thinks the world revolves around him. The man's ego is bigger than his bank account."Mia stopped pacing and turned to face Evelyn, her hands on her hips. "But it's fake, Evie. A contract. It's not like you have to actually fall in love with the guy."Evelyn stood up, her voice rising with frustration. "It's not about love, Mia. It's about dignity. I won't sell myself cheap, not even for twenty million.""Cheap?" Mia scoffed, picking up a framed photo of Jake from the coffee table. "Twenty million is hardly cheap. And wh

An empty cardboard box sat at Evelyn's feet as she stared into her open closet. Today is the day. She had today to pack up her entire life, but she couldn't even fold a single shirt. Her fingers trailed over the worn jacket she'd bought with her first bartending tips, the black dress from her parents' funeral, the oversized sweater Jake had given her last Christmas.But before any of those, her hand reached for the worn teddy bear sitting on the top shelf. It was faded now, its once-bright brown fur dulled by years of holding, of crying, of remembering. The bear was old, with a small patch sewn roughly onto its side where it had been torn during the accident. Her father's voice echoed in her memory, a whisper from that terrible night:"Keep this bear with you, Evelyn. Promise me. Never lose it."Those were almost the last words he'd spoken, his voice weak but urgent, his hand clutching hers as the ambulance lights flashed around them. She'd been fifteen then, covered in glass and blo

"Are you completely insane?" Evelyn's voice shook as she stared at Ethan in the parked car. "You couldn't have warned me about this earlier?" Ethan's jaw tightened. "If I had, you would have spent hours overthinking it. This way is better." "Better? I'm about to meet your entire family without any preparation!" Her hands trembled slightly as she smoothed down her dress. "I don't know anything about them, or what to say, or—" "Then listen carefully," Ethan cut in. "My father, Harrison, runs everything. He'll be watching your every move, so keep your answers simple. My stepmother Regina will try to catch you off guard - don't let her. Just smile and be charming." Evelyn took a deep breath, fighting back the panic building up. "Anything else I should know before walking into this nightmare?" “Yes. Our make-believe story.” His eyes locked with hers. “We met at a charity gala three months ago. Keep it simple - the less you say, the less chance you'll slip up." They walked up the drive