LOGINVincent Isabella was offered a contract marriage worth 5 million dollars by a cold and ruthless billionaire given 30 days to marry or lose his Empire to his corrupt brother. She agreed only for her sick sister and her parents’ debt. “One year of contract marriage. No attachment. No feelings. No sex. Just public appearances.” But when Alexander Lucas demanded a child, she refused, and said “It wasn’t part of the deal”. Yet, she later agreed to help him secure the Empire. During childbirth, the baby died, and Mr. Alexander, the real owner of the Empire, rewarded Isabella by bequeathing the entire Empire to her. The Empire meant for Lucas or William now belonged to Isabella. Will the Alexander family watch as Isabella controls them?
View MoreI’m Vincent Isabella, currently approaching my 30s. Looking at the mirror, I’m a tall and beautiful girl with long hair. I had just dropped out of college five years ago when my parents died in a terrible car accident, and the same accident left my only sister, Vincent Amelia, in a coma since then.
I was the only one left. The heavy and huge amount of Amelia’s medical bills rested on my shoulders, along with the debt my parents left behind. Since then, my life hasn’t been balanced or near stability. Literally, I was living a very poor life. I worked double shifts at a restaurant downtown just to sort the endless pile of bills waiting for me, and also to take good care of myself. At the restaurant where I worked double shifts day and night, I was always mocked by Lura, Earnshaw, and other co-workers, laughing and joking about me. Despite my working double shifts, I could not even afford to eat well or wear better clothes, but I was less concerned about that. I move on. In the evening, as I returned home, the house landlord where I resided approached me and gave me a quick notice of one week to pay the house rent or leave the house. That same night, the bank also sent a message to clear my parents’ debt as soon as possible; otherwise, the debt would start to increase every day. Tired, I was totally confused and drained of fatigue. My thoughts weren’t balanced anymore. “What a terrible life I’m living,” I said to myself. I was on the verge of collapsing when my phone rang with a sudden call. “Hello, Miss Isabella,” the voice came sharply. It was the doctor speaking. Eagerly, I answered, “Hello, doctor.” “Miss Isabella, we urgently need your attention here right now. Amelia’s situation is getting worse.” The doctor hung up immediately after he spoke. Instantly, I stood up, dressed in a black gown, and rushed to the hospital hurriedly. I went straight to Ward 7 where she was receiving her treatment, but one of the nurses told me she had been transferred to Ward 11 for urgent treatment. My heart ached at the statement. I prayed that nothing happened to her. Without hesitation, I hurried toward Ward 11. I saw Amelia lying helplessly on a hospital bed. The machine attached to her nose pumped frequently, and her face looked so fragile, like she didn’t belong in this world. Emotionally, I grabbed her soft hand, almost crying. I noticed her breathing wasn’t normal again; it was faster than usual. At that very moment, I wanted to cry. I wanted to shout for help, but that wouldn’t have helped in this situation. Immediately, I reached the doctor, but he said it was okay. “Miss Isabella, we really need money to continue her treatment right now, or her situation will worsen further.” I desperately moved closer to him, almost crying. “Okay doctor, I will be back in a short time with the money,” I said, moving out. While I was leaving, I heard the faint voice of the doctor saying, “Miss Isabella, make it very snappy.” I had just promised to be back with money I didn’t have or expect. Desperately, I thought of my next move, and the next move was to borrow money from the bank. After a short process, the bank instantly declined my application, claiming that my parents had unpaid debts. I was totally confused and left with no option again, but I couldn’t watch Amelia die not now, not in the future, not forever. She was the only family I had. Yes, I could do anything to save her from dying. Tired, I got back to my apartment, thinking of how to get the money and pay the bills. Unconsciously, I fell asleep. Morning arrived so quickly. I barely slept for an hour all night. The morning light shone through the window. Looking at the time, I was already almost late for work. Immediately, I stood up, took my bath, and dressed casually. The streets of New York showed no mercy. No one could offer a free ride, so I continued walking fast toward the restaurant where I worked. The smell of roasted chicken and morning coffee filled the street air. People gathered for business, some laughing and some discussing business. That morning, the street was very crowded. I minded my business and walked hurriedly toward my workplace. It was exactly 8:20 when I got there. I was 20 minutes late. The manager accused me of coming late. I pleaded quickly and started work immediately. But still, I couldn’t focus on work. I was lost in thought. All my mind was on how to save Amelia. And make her live again. A soft and sudden touch brought me back to reality. “Isabella, why do you look so stressed and drained?” the restaurant manager asked me. Immediately, I forced a fake smile on my face and said, “Nothing, ma’am. I’m okay.” But it looked like she wasn’t okay with that. She asked again, “Isabella, what is really wrong?” I eventually explained everything to her, almost crying. She was so sad about my situation and really felt empathy for me. Immediately, on the spot, she gave me 10 dollars, which could not solve any of my problems. The urgent money requested from the hospital was about 500 dollars to continue her treatment. In the afternoon, the doctor sent me a text message again, short and sharp: “Isabella, do you want Amelia dead?” I viewed the message, almost crying. Right now, I am helpless.After the 24-hour work, I got home tired and lay on my bed. The card was still in my hand. I hadn’t made a decision yet. I was still looking at it, deliberating on the disadvantages and the chaos the contract marriage could bring into my life.I couldn’t sleep.I kept turning on the bed. My mind was filled with different thoughts — Amelia’s urgent condition, debt pressure, contract marriage, and five million dollars.Really, everything was too complicated. Within me, the emotional tension was higher than ever.Soon, I would resume work by 12 noon instead of 8 a.m. because I had worked both day and night yesterday. That was the nature of my work.I couldn’t stop feeling frustrated and helpless.“Before resuming work today, I must visit the hospital to check Amelia’s condition, even if it means begging the hospital authority for more time,” I said bravely to myself.I took my bath and dressed up casually. Checking my phone, the hospital emergency section had sent me a message.“Hello Mi
I was still on the spot, holding the card tightly with my trembling hand. My co-workers had already gathered, whispering like they always did. Some even praised me for collecting a card from a billionaire, but none of them knew what the deal was about.They were very curious and started asking different questions.“Isabella, do you know him before?”More questions followed, but I couldn’t answer any of them because I was totally confused.Aria, one of my good friends at the restaurant, approached me professionally and started a conversation.“Did you know him?”I didn’t answer. She continued.“What did he want? Why did he give you his card?”I kept mute, not knowing how to explain myself. My heart was seriously racing.Everyone was quiet, like the whole restaurant was waiting for me to speak.Suddenly, a cruel and unusual laugh broke out loudly. Lura and Earnshaw were mocking me. They didn’t really believe a billionaire would speak to me or give me his card, despite seeing the card in
When I got to my apartment, the landlord was already waiting for me in the house compound. He approached me, asking about the house rent, which I had yet to pay but had been due for several weeks.Right now, I could not offer him anything other than to beg for more time, but his tone was as harsh and serious as ever.“You just have three days left,” the landlord said angrily before walking away.Entering my room, I realized I hadn’t eaten anything since morning. I was really hungry. I checked the fridge, but nothing was there. I just drank water and lay down.I tried to sleep, but I couldn’t. All my thoughts were on how to get money to sort out all the piled-up bills. I continued staring at the ceiling, remembering the doctor’s warning until I unconsciously fell asleep.I was woken up by my phone ringing. Slowly, I picked up the call. It was Mr. Sam speaking.“Hello, Isabella. When do you want to clear the debt your parents owe me? I desperately need money now.”“Yes, sir, I will pay
Staring at the message, I was in panic and confusion. My hands shook endlessly, my heart raced so fast, and unconsciously, tears fell from my eyes.I felt so helpless, like I always did. I couldn’t afford to lose Amelia. She was all I had. I was determined and desperate, but I was too poor to take action.I dialed the doctor’s number with my trembling hands. My voice was also shaking.“Hello, Miss Isabella,” the doctor picked up the call and continued, “Amelia’s condition is now more complicated and unstable. Nobody can say what will happen next. Only money can save her right now.”A few seconds of heavy silence filled the call. Then I broke the silence and said, “Please, doctor, give me more time. I will be back with the money.” Then the line went off.The tension was so high that even the doctor sounded more serious than ever. Amelia was dying already.“Who could help me now?” I said to myself.My trembling hands couldn’t focus on work anymore. Some of my co-workers noticed that and












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