CHAPTER 6: THE PRICE OF A PROMISE

Sophia didn't remember how she walked out of Sterling Holdings.

The contract was clutched tightly against her chest as she stepped into the busy street. Cars rushed past, people hurried to their destinations, and the city carried on as if nothing had happened, but her world had changed.

A billionaire had just asked her to marry him, not because he loved her, not because he even knew her, but because she fit his requirements.

She let out a shaky laugh.

"This has to be some kind of dream."

Her phone buzzed in her bag. The screen lit up with Noah's name.

She answered immediately.

"Noah?"

"Sophia..." His voice sounded tired. "Mom isn't doing well."

Her heart dropped. What happened?"

"She collapsed again this morning. The doctor says she needs to start treatment immediately."

Sophia closed her eyes.

"I'll be there."

She ended the call and hailed the first taxi she saw.

The entire ride to the hospital, Ethan's words echoed in her mind.

"I can make sure your mother gets the treatment she needs".

She hated that she was thinking about him.

She hated that his offer made sense.

When she reached the hospital, Noah was pacing outside their mother's room.

The moment he saw her, he stopped.

"You came."

Sophia hugged her younger brother tightly.

"How is she?"

He rubbed his face with both hands.

"The doctor says we've waited too long."

Sophia felt guilt settle heavily in her chest.

She had been working two jobs for months, skipping meals, selling almost everything she owned.

Yet it still wasn't enough.

The doctor stepped into the hallway.

"Miss Hayes?"

She nodded.

"I'm afraid your mother's condition has become more serious."

Sophia swallowed hard.

"We've stabilized her for now, but she needs treatment as soon as possible."

"How much?"

The doctor hesitated before giving her the estimate.

The number made her knees weak.

It was more money than she could earn in years.

"I'm sorry," the doctor said gently. "I know this isn't easy."

After he left, neither Sophia nor Noah spoke.

There was nothing to say.

Noah finally broke the silence.

"I'm going to drop out."

Sophia turned sharply.

"No."

"I can work full-time."

"Noah."

"It's the only way."

She grabbed both of his shoulders.

"You are not leaving university."

"But—"

"You've worked too hard to get there."

"What choice do we have?"

Sophia opened her mouth.

No words came out.

For the first time in her life, she didn't have an answer.

Late that evening, she returned to her apartment.

The tiny living room felt unusually quiet.

She placed the marriage contract on the coffee table and stared at it for several minutes.

Then she opened it.

Every page was neatly organized.

The marriage would last two years.

They would live together but maintain separate private lives unless they both agreed otherwise.

She would receive a monthly allowance she had never imagined possible.

Her mother's medical expenses would be fully covered.

Noah's tuition would be paid until graduation.

In return...

She would become Ethan Sterling's legal wife.

She flipped through every page twice.

There was no hidden trap.

At least none that she could see.

Still...

Marriage wasn't something she had ever imagined treating like a business deal.

Her phone buzzed again.

This time, it was an unknown number.

She answered cautiously.

"Hello?"

"Miss Hayes."

She recognized the deep voice immediately.

"Ethan."

"I hope I didn't wake you."

"You didn't."

"I assume you've started reading the contract."

She looked down at the papers.

"I have."

"And?"

"I haven't decided."

"I expected that."

His calmness irritated her.

"Does anything ever surprise you, Mr. Sterling?"

There was a brief silence.

"Very little."

She sighed.

"I have a question."

"I'm listening."

"Why not choose someone from your world? A socialite. A businesswoman. Someone your family already knows."

His answer came without hesitation.

"Because they'd want something from me."

"And you think I don't?"

"I think you want to protect your family."

His words left her speechless.

Then he added quietly,

"There's a difference."

For a long moment, neither of them spoke.

Finally, Ethan broke the silence.

"I'll give you forty-eight hours."

"And if I say no?"

"I'll respect your decision."

She wanted to believe him.

She truly did.

But something told her there was more he wasn't saying.

After the call ended, she sat alone in the darkness.

The contract rested on her lap.

Her mother's face filled her mind, then Noah's.Then Ethan's calm, unreadable eyes.

She whispered the question she had been avoiding all day.

"How much is my freedom worth?"

The room remained silent, but deep inside...

She already feared she knew the answer.