The call

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 Miss Isabella, Amelia’s condition is now at great risk and very unstable. Payment is needed urgently. We don’t need you to beg for more time again, or we will stop attending to her.”

Immediately after reading the message, my heart sank. The urgency had increased. It was almost at the turning point. Everyone already knew what I usually said.

“Please give me more time.”

I was literally used to begging, which did not solve anything.

I slowly began to panic again because the message demanded money, or they would stop attending to her.

Eagerly, I started looking for ways to get money. I called some of my old friends from college, but no one responded. I called them back for loans again, but it was declined. I called creditors, but I found no help.

Everything failed. I remained stranded.

Suddenly, a hard knock sounded on my door.

“Who is that?” I asked, but there was no answer.

Again, I asked, “Who is there?” Still, no answer.

Then I slowly walked toward the door. It was the landlord. I was shocked as I noticed his angry face. I stepped out and wanted to start pleading, but he cut me off.

“Isabella, why is my rent still unpaid?” he asked harshly.

“Yes sir, I will pay the money. Just give me more time—”

Impatiently, he interrupted me.

“Isabella, you always ask me for time. For the past three weeks, you have been begging. Does begging pay the rent?” he said coldly.

“Well, I don’t have much to say. You only have two days left,” he added angrily.

Everything had reached its peak.

I became more desperate than ever. If my two days expired, where would I go? Right now, I don’t even have money to pay.

I entered the room and sat tiredly on the floor, crying heavily.

The card was still in my hand. I stared at the name — Alexander Lucas. The name alone spoke power.

Right now, I need to move forward since panicking and crying didn’t solve anything. All my efforts to get money had failed. I had no option but to engage in a contract marriage with Alexander Lucas.

I stood up slowly and wiped my tears. I forced some courage onto my face. With my trembling hand, I picked up my phone and finally decided to call him.

But deep inside me, I came up with a balanced deal for myself. Before signing the marriage contract, I would ask for an advance payment of 2.5 million dollars — just to clear my debts and take care of my sister.

Bravely, I agreed within myself.

Yes, I was already calling him. My heart was beating hard, but I gathered the courage to speak.

He picked up the call calmly.

“Isabella, I have been expecting your call.”

I was shocked and almost hung up, but that wouldn’t help the situation. I gathered strong courage and spoke carefully.

“Alexander Lucas, I have agreed to discuss the contract further, but there is a condition I want.”

“What is that?” he asked.

“Before signing the contract, I want an advance payment of 2.5 million dollars.”

Immediately, minutes of heavy silence followed.

The silence stretched longer.

Then he finally spoke calmly.

“Isabella, I’m slightly impressed with your speech. You are bold.”

“Okay… thanks,” I replied softly.

“Why should I trust you with an advance payment?” he asked carefully.

Without hesitation, I raised my voice slightly.

“Because of Amelia’s condition… because of the debt I’m struggling to pay… because of myself.”

He remained silent again.

I also remained firm, speaking with a strength I didn’t know I had.

After another short silence, he finally spoke.

“Isabella, meet me at Alexander Tower tomorrow morning to discuss the contract further.”

Immediately, the line went off.

Deep down, I wasn’t satisfied, but I had no option.

I sat on the bed, almost blaming myself for the decision I had just made. My hands were still shaking from the shock of what I had requested.

“My life… is about to change,” I whispered to myself.

I continued to look at the card over and over again. Unconsciously, I spoke out.

“If he agrees to the condition… everything will change instantly. But if he doesn’t… the struggle continues… and I can’t say what will happen next…”