CHAPTER 5: FIRST MEETING

Cara sat on the edge of the hospital bed, her hands pressed together so tightly that her knuckles turned white. The room was quiet except for the sound of the fan hanging from the ceiling. She had finished her shift at the diner just about an hour ago and her feet hurts, but that pain was nothing compared to the thoughts swirling in her mind.

Her brother, Caleb, lay asleep on the hospital bed, looking so frail and fragile. His breathing was shallow and sometimes it paused for just a second too long, making Cara’s heart race in fear. She had promised him she would find a way but how long could her promises feed them? How long could promises keep him alive?

Three jobs, endless shifts and countless sleepless nights yet, the money wasn’t quite enough. Caleb’s doctor had been quite clear: the surgery was urgent, and it wasn’t cheap. If she didn’t raise the money soon, her brother’s chances would slip away by the minute.

She though about the deal

Marry Damien for a year, pretend to be his wife and get more money than she could ever dream of.

It sounded insane. Too insane, but so was the idea of losing Caleb.

Cara pressed her face into her hands. What kind of sister would I be if I said no? But then another voice answered in her head: What kind of woman would I be if I sold myself this way?

Her heart twisted. Both answers hurt to think about.

Two days later, Cara found herself walking into an exquisite, high-class restaurant in the city. She felt completely out of place. The marble floors, the waiters in uniforms, women in more jewelleries than she had ever seen, wines that probably cost more than her entire life's savings, all served the purpose of making her gut churn and her mind buzz with a million anxious thoughts .

She clutched her small, worn out handbag as though it could protect her from the thought of them finding out she didn't belong in their circle . Mark, Caleb's Doctor had told her Damien would meet her here, and her stomach churned once again as she scanned the room.

And then she saw him.

Damien Blackwood.

He sat at a corner table, leaning back in his chair like he owned the entire world. His dark hair was styled perfectly, his suit black, giving a luxurious charm, his posture relaxed, as though he had nothing to worry about. And why would he? He was rich. He was powerful. He could have or buy anything or anyone he wanted.

Cara’s steps slowed as she approached. She reminded herself to stay calm, to stay brave. She couldn’t let him see how nervous she was.

“Cara,” Damien said, his voice smooth, almost careless, when she reached the table. He didn’t even stand up. His eyes studied her quickly, like he was measuring her worth in just one glance. “Sit.” 

She obeyed, sitting across from him though slightly annoyed with the way he spoke to her like a dog. Her palms were sweaty, and she quickly rubbed them against her gown under the table, away from his prying eyes.

“So,” Damien began, folding his arms, “my friend told you the details. I need someone to play the part of my wife for one year. Nothing more. Nothing less.”

Cara nodded slowly. “Yes. He told me.”

“And you’re willing?” His tone carried no emotion. Just business.

Cara lifted her chin. “I haven’t decided yet.”

Damien’s lips curved, not quite into a smile, more like amusement. “What’s stopping you? It’s an easy job. Marry me, look pretty, act like you love me in public, and in one year, you walk away with more money than you could ever make in your life.”

"I don't care to know why you took this offer but I do know the money will be more than enough to change your life and hopefully your wardrobe as well. I do certainly hope this wasn't your best outfit because I expect the highest caliber from my future wife" he finished 

Cara’s chest tightened but she had promised herself she wouldn’t say anything about her personal life to him. This man didn’t need to hear her sob story, If he thought she was just another girl desperate for his money, then so be it. Though, this certainly didn't help the urge to take a nearby chair and chuck it at his head for his demeaning words.

“How much?” Cara asked, her voice steady.

Damien’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Excuse me?”

“How much will you pay me?” she repeated.

For the first time, he looked slightly surprised. Then he leaned back in his chair, studying her. “You don’t waste time, do you?”

Cara forced herself to hold his gaze. “If I’m going to do this, I need to know what I’ll get.”

He smirked. “You’re bolder than you look. Fine. Thirty million dollars.”

The words hit Cara like a punch. Thirty million. She almost gasped but quickly pressed her lips together. Her mind spun. Caleb needed just ten million for his surgery and recovery, and this man was offering three times that much. This just goes to show how spoilt he was to lavish away money she had to sell even her dignity for.

She gripped the edge of the table to stop her hands from trembling.

“Thirty million,” she repeated softly, as though saying it would make it real.

“Yes,” Damien said casually, sipping from his glass of wine. “That should be enough to make you comfortable for a while.”

Cara swallowed hard. Comfortable? For a while? It was enough to change her entire life. Enough to give her brother a second chance. Enough to finally breathe.

But she didn’t let her excitement show. She had to be smart.

“I’ll do it,” she said slowly. “But I want half of it upfront.”

Damien raised an eyebrow. “Half?”

“Yes. Fifteen million after we sign the marriage certificate.” Her voice didn’t waver. “The rest after the year is over.”

Damien tilted his head, studying her again. She wondered what he saw. A desperate girl? A greedy one?

“You drive a pretty hard bargain,” he finally said. “Most women would be on their knees thanking me already for the privilege to become Mrs Blackwood.”

“I’m not most women,” Cara replied.

For the first time, something flickered in his eyes. Respect? Amusement? Or maybe just plain curiosity.

“Fine,” Damien said at last. “Fifteen upfront. Fifteen after. We’ll meet later this week to draw up the contract.”

Cara let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.

“Good,” she said simply.

But inside, her heart was racing. She had done it. She had secured the money. Caleb would get his surgery. She had saved him.

At least, she hoped she had.

As she left the restaurant, Cara’s legs felt shaky. She couldn't believe what had just happened. She had just agreed to marry a man she barely knew for money. A man who thought she was just a greedy girl after his wealth.

She should have felt ashamed. But all she could think of was Caleb’s face, his smile, his laugh. Her twin and only family.

She was doing this for him. She had to believe that.

Yet, as the driver Damien had arranged opened the car door for her, a shiver ran down her spine.

She had stepped into a game she didn’t fully understand. And deep inside, she wondered, what would this year with Damien Blackwood really cost her?