Midnight

The digital clock on Eva's bedside table read 11:17 p.m.

She hadn't changed out of her work clothes.

Her apartment was quiet except for the steady ticking of the old wall clock in the living room.

On the small coffee table lay a white envelope.

She had tried putting it in a drawer.

Then into her handbag.

Finally, she'd placed it back on the table.

No matter where she moved it...

It always seemed to find its way back into her thoughts.

"If you change your mind, call me before midnight."

She read the sentence again.

And again.

Her phone buzzed.

It was a text from Noah.

«Don't forget to eat tonight. You're always taking care of me, but someone has to take care of you too. 😊»

Eva smiled despite herself.

Then the smile slowly faded.

He had no idea what tomorrow might bring.

She typed back quickly.

«I already ate. Get some sleep. I'll see you first thing in the morning. ❤️»

A few seconds later, the three little dots appeared.

«Promise?»

Eva swallowed the lump in her throat.

«Promise.»

She set the phone down and walked to the kitchen.

The refrigerator held little more than bottled water, eggs, and a carton of milk that would expire in two days.

She closed the door without taking anything.

Her gaze drifted to the stack of unpaid bills on the counter.

Rent.

Electricity.

Hospital payments.

Each envelope seemed heavier than the last.

She sank into a chair and buried her face in her hands.

"I don't know what to do."

The words barely rose above a whisper.

For the first time in years...

She felt trapped.

Not because she lacked the strength to keep fighting.

But because there was nowhere left to fight.

Her phone lit up again.

This time it was her best friend.

Lena Brooks.

Eva answered after the second ring.

"Hey."

"You sound awful."

"I've had a long day."

"I heard about the Blackwood wedding."

Eva closed her eyes.

"So the gossip has already started."

"It's everywhere."

Lena hesitated.

"Are you okay?"

Eva wanted to say yes.

Instead...

"I met Adrian Blackwood today."

Silence.

"You what?"

"He asked me to marry him."

Another silence.

Then—

"I'm sorry... WHAT?"

Eva couldn't help laughing.

It was the first genuine laugh she'd managed all day.

"I know how it sounds."

"It sounds like you've finally lost your mind."

"I thought so too."

"What happened?"

Eva told her everything.

The missing bride.

The meeting.

The contract.

The investigation.

The money.

When she finished, neither of them spoke for several seconds.

Finally, Lena asked quietly,

"What are you going to do?"

"I already said no."

"And now?"

Eva looked at the envelope.

"I don't know."

Lena sighed softly.

"I can't tell you what to choose."

"I know."

"But if you do this..."

She paused.

"...do it because it's your decision."

"Not because you feel cornered."

Eva leaned back in her chair.

"I wish there were another way."

"So do I."

The call ended a few minutes later.

The apartment grew quiet once again.

Eva looked at the clock.

11:54 p.m.

Six minutes.

Six minutes until Adrian's offer expired.

She picked up the envelope.

Then put it back down.

Picked it up again.

"No."

She stood abruptly.

"I'm not doing this."

She grabbed her coat and headed for the door.

She needed fresh air.

Anything to stop thinking.

The streets were nearly empty.

A cool breeze swept through the city as she wandered without a destination.

She had almost reached the corner of her block when her phone rang.

It was the hospital.

Her pulse quickened.

She answered immediately.

"Hello?"

The nurse sounded breathless.

"Miss Hart... your brother just collapsed."

Everything around Eva seemed to stop.

"What?"

"We've stabilized him, but the doctor needs your authorization immediately."

"I-I'm coming."

She ended the call and broke into a run.

A taxi slowed beside her before she even raised her hand.

She climbed in, barely able to catch her breath.

"St. Catherine Medical Center."

The driver nodded and pulled away.

As the taxi sped through the sleeping city, Eva looked down at her phone.

The screen glowed in the darkness.

11:59 p.m.

One minute.

One minute before the offer disappeared forever.

Her thumb hovered over Adrian Blackwood's number.

She closed her eyes.

The taxi raced toward the hospital.

The clock ticked closer to midnight.

And Eva had to decide...

Whether saving her brother was worth sacrificing the life she'd always planned for herself.

End of the first half of Chapter Five.