Chapter 0010

Rachel's eyelids fluttered open weakly, her throat dry and aching. The sterile scent of antiseptic filled the room and the steady beep of the heart monitor was the first thing she heard.

Her body felt heavy, every breath felt like a thorn on her flesh. She tried to lift her hands, but even that felt so painful.

She turned her head, and then she saw him. Sitting beside her bed was not her husband– it was Dominic Morello. His eyes were fixed on her.

“What…are you…doing here?” Her throat was dry, making her voice crack.

He did not avert his gaze. “Welcome back to life, Rachel.”

She blinked, confusion swimming behind her tired eyes. She expected a nurse, or maybe Bryce and Evangeline. Not him…the man who publicly vowed to ruin her almost ex-husband.

She tried to sit up, but a bolt of pain shot through her spine.

“Careful.” He said, rising and adjusting her pillow. His touch was firm but careful. “You've been unconscious for a week.”

“A week?” Her heart thudded weakly. “Where is Bryce?”

Dominic didn't answer immediately. He poured a glass of water from the bedside and held it to her lips. Rachel drank, watching him over the rim.

“Bryce has not showed up once.” He finally said.

The water suddenly became bitter, “oh, right!” She frowned.

Dominic sat again, leaning forward, forearm resting on his thighs. “He left you here, unpaid, untreated. What type of husband does that? Do you even know who authorized your treatment?”

Rachel didn't need to ask. Her chest tightened, “you did.”

“I did.” He confirmed.

“Why? You hate me very much, why would you save me?”

A humorless smile twitched at his lips. “Let's say…I'm not fond of unfinished business— especially when it is his.”

Tears burned the corners of her eyes, but she blinked them back. If she has been unconscious for a week— seven days, it means she had a three day countdown to her divorce.

Bryce didn't even come to check up on her, even after seven days of being absent. Was this how insignificant she was in that house?

“I suppose I owe you now.” Rachel whispered bitterly.

Dominic stood, “no, you don't owe me.”

She looked confused. “I don't owe you?”

Dominic smirked. “You're not the main character right now, but I'll use you as bait to get back to Bryce.”

Her heart paused. “W- what?”

He walked towards the window, back to her, voice calm but sharp. “A contract marriage between us.”

She stared, “You're insane.”

“Maybe,” he said, turning towards her slowly. “You know…Bryce and I are mutually exclusive, and I got my eyes on him wherever he goes.” His tone was husky. “We both know Bryce doesn't want you, not now— not ever. And now that you owe me one for saving your life, it's best if you use it wisely, bunny.”

Her breath hitched. “I'm still married—”

He cut her off. “Not for long, bunny. You're getting divorced in three days, so don't reject my proposal.”

He was right and she hated the fact that he was. She was getting divorced in three days.

“You want me to get married to you after three days of my divorce? That's pathetic! I have barely mourned my marriage.”

Dominic walked to her bed, eyes never leaving hers. “Marrying you is an asset to me and unlike Bryce, I don't discard things of value.”

Rachel found herself almost complying, “and in return?”

“You play the role for one year. You'll act as my wife publicly, you'll bear my first name and I'll make Bryce regret what he lost. But until then…you'll live according to your own terms. Tell me how much do you need?”

Rachel let out a trembling breath. “I don't know. Just give me three days to think, my mind is preoccupied.”

Dominic nods. “I will, but only for 72 hours. Once you sign those fucked up divorce papers, do not hesitate to place a call.” He says placing a card that contained numbers on her lap.

“Dominic. I don't want revenge.” Rachel mumbled.

“It's not revenge, bunny. It's a regret. I want him to live in lifetime regrets, staring at what he lost.”

With that, he turns to go, but stops at the door. “By noon, you'll be discharged…think deeply about the proposal and do not make a costly mistake.” he leaves.

Rachel stares at the space where he was. A marriage contract? Though she was on the apogee of her divorce, she had an alternative— the resin gallery. The reveal party was to be held in two weeks time. Elara had hosted…

“Elara,” she mumbled. She searched for her phone and found it on the bedside drawer. She dialed Elara 's number.

“Hello?” Elara 's voice came from the other end.

Rachel smiled, satisfied. “Elara, how have you been?”

“How you left me. You never placed a call after that day. Don't tell me you ended up screwing that idiot!”

Rachel laughed slightly due to the slight pains she felt. It had reduced.

“No I didn't. Guess what??”

“What happened? You accepted him back?”

Rachel frowns, “hell no! Dominic Morello saved me. He figured out that I had cancer, so he asked the doctor to treat me. They have removed the abnormal cells, I'm free!”

“Jeez…I sense a badass billionaire. Tell me more babe…what did you do?”

“But…”

“But what?”

“He said in return, I should act as his wife for a period of one year…”

“Yes! Accept it. We need to teach that stupid man a lesson.”

“Don't be fast, Elara. I'm still thinking about it.”

“Thinking about it? Who thinks about claiming a good thing? Do it Rachel. Well, I have to go. I have a meeting to attend, we'll talk later.”

Elara hung up. Rachel placed her palm on her forehead. Was this a sign? Was it good luck? She had always detested Dominic, but he saved her life and saved her from the pain she always endured.

She had planned to die after her divorce…little did she know that there was still hope— a doubtful hope.

The door opens and Hana comes in with a female nurse. Her eyes blazed the moment she saw Rachel up.

She ran to her side and sat beside her. “Mrs. Voss, you scared me.”

Rachel smiled. “What happened while I was unconscious?”

“Mr. Morello paid your bills. He threatened to sack the whole doctors if they didn't revive you.”

Sack? What the hell?!