CHAPTER THREE

“Marry me,” he said.

Ella let out a small laugh. For a second, the words didn't land well. She was trying to process what he had just said. Is he joking?

“Are you out of your mind?” The words came out too fast before she could stop herself.

Ethan scoffed. His voice was sharp as he retorted, “Do you want your father to die?”

“What did you just say?” Ella asked, anger already rising in her throat.

Ethan didn’t bother looking at her. “You heard me,” he said flatly.

“How dare you?” Her voice shook with fury. “How dare you use my father’s condition to manipulate me. You don’t get to talk about him like that, and you don’t get to talk to me like this.

Ethan didn’t blink. “Talk to you like how?…” his voice was bold.

“Talk to me like I’m a commodity that you get to buy with money whenever you want,” her voice was strong as she tried to grasp the strange situation unfolding before her.

Ethan's gaze cut into Ella like a blade, his eyes locking onto hers. “Do you want to save your father or not?”

Ella glared at him with her jaw clenched. She had crossed her arms over her chest. She didn’t answer… not because she didn’t have words, but because of what would come out of her mouth if she decided to answer him right now.

Ethan reached up and adjusted his tie… it was already perfectly knotted, but his fingers found their way up there, as if it were a habit.

“The offer still stands,” he said. “Until Friday.”

He turned and walked out, leaving her alone in the stairwell, arms still crossed, glaring at the space where he stood.

* * *

The next two days blurred together… work in the mornings, the hospital visits, sitting beside her father’s bed, and watching those stupid machines keep him tied down. He was weaker on Wednesday than he’d been Tuesday. The nurses had started doing that thing with their faces…smiling too fast, too carefully right before they left the room.

On Thursday evening, the doctor found her in the hallway outside Room 219, his shoes squeaking softly against the polished floor as he approached her.

“Miss Wright.” He said calmly.

“Yes,” she replied, her voice uncertain. She was ready for any news; she just hoped it wouldn’t be that bad.

“We’re running out of time,” he said, choosing each word carefully.

“His heart’s under more strain. I won’t sugarcoat it… the surgery needs to happen soon. Every day we wait increases more risk.”

“How soon is soon?”

“Days. Not weeks, I mean days within three days.” His eyes held hers, steady and bold. “I know it is hard raising that kind of amount, but you have to try harder.”

Hard… am I not trying hard enough?

Ella nodded, throat too tight to speak, and went back into the room where her father lay sleeping under the thin blue blanket.

She sat beside him and took his hand, cold still, unmoving… and quietly watched the rising and falling of his chest.

Her mind went to Ethan and his offer. She knew she had a choice… to reject it or accept it…but refusing now would cost her more than she was ready to pay. Her father had given up his life and his dreams for her; the least she could do in return was give up her own… even if that meant marrying a man she didn’t love.

In that moment, she made up her mind, whatever the cost. She didn’t care what came next. All she cared about was this man lying still in that bed.

She stood up and went to take her bag. After one long look at her father, she opened the door and walked out.

***

Friday, 6am

Ella woke up this morning and sprang out of bed with a pep in her step.

She pondered on what she was about to do as she pulled the curtains open and let the early morning sun stream into the room.

***

She stood outside the glass tower of Blackwood Holdings for a long moment before going in, watching her own reflection move across the revolving doors… pale and tired. She was about to do the exact thing she’d found ridiculous.

She rode the elevator up, her heart pounding so hard she could hear the beat. Thump.. Thump… 

She got to the front of his office, thankfully, his assistant wasn’t there because she didn’t want any suspicious looks from anyone. No one was supposed to be here unless there is any important issue.

She didn’t bother to knock; she knew he would be alone, so she just opened the door and walked inside.

He was at his desk when she walked in, sleeves rolled up, reading something on his laptop with the kind of focus that didn’t leave room for anything else.

“Yes.” She blurted out. She nervously played with the edges of her shirt.

A pause… a very silent pause.

She hated the silence between them. At least say something, Mr CEO.

Ethan didn’t look at her. “ You’ve finally come to your senses.”

Ella didn’t give him a reply. She just stood there looking at him as he was busy with his laptop.

Ethan scoffed, his voice sharp. “ My lawyer is on his way.”

“lawyer!” Ella said, surprise evident in her voice.

Ethan raised his head. His gaze finally met hers, “Did you think I’d hand over a quarter of a  million dollars to you with no evidence. This is a contract; you will read the documents, then sign them.

“Sign what? I thought you’d give me the money if I married you. You never said anything about a contract.” Ella said, her voice sharp.

Ethan didn’t reply immediately. He stared at her for so long it was as though he was searching for an answer.

There was a knock on the door. 

“Can I come in, Mr Blackwood?” The voice spoke boldly.

Ethan gave a slight nod toward the door, silently telling Ella to open it.

Ella moved towards the door and opened it. 

The man walked in confidently, dressed in a neat suit. He was charming, and he knew it. This must be the lawyer, she thought.

“Mr Blackwood, I have the contract.” The lawyer said, his voice sharp.

“Okay, let’s get to work.” Ethan said, authority lacing his tone.

The lawyer turned to face Ella as he cleared his throat. “Miss Wright, before you sign anything, you need to understand the terms of this agreement.”

Ella frowned. “Okay.”

The lawyer opened the folder and placed the contract on the desk. 

“This marriage will last for one year. During that time, both parties are expected to be present as husband and wife whenever necessary.”

Ella’s eyes widened. “One year?”

“Yes,” the lawyer replied calmly. “You would stay in Mr Blackwood's mansion for a year, and during that time, you are expected to act as his wife whenever the situation requires it.” 

“You are not permitted to reveal that this marriage is based on a contract. To everyone else, it must appear to be a genuine marriage.”

Ella stared at him in disbelief. “By everyone else, do you mean including my dad?”

“Yes, Miss Wright, including your dad.” The lawyer replied without hesitation.

“If you have no further questions, Miss Wright, you may sign the contract.” The lawyer said, his voice bold. 

Ella leaned forward and reached for the pen on the desk. Her hand trembled as she lowered it to the contract. “If I sign this…” she said quietly. “Will my father get the surgery immediately?”

Ethan cleared his throat and finally spoke. “The money will be transferred the moment the contract is signed.”

That was all the assurance she needed to hear. Taking a slow breath, she lowered the pen to the contract and signed. She stood up straight, nervously adjusting her skirt.

Ethan signed the contract without hesitation and handed it back to the lawyer.

The lawyer examined the signature. “Congratulations,” he said politely. “You are now legally bound by this agreement."

Ethan looked up at Ella, his gaze cut into hers like a blade. “One last thing. Don’t you dare fall in love with me.”