Chapter One: A Price Too High

The hospital smelled like antiseptic and sorrow.

Lily Bennett sat at the edge of the hard plastic chair, her fingers trembling as she read the bill in her hand. The numbers blurred through the sheen of tears—$14,632 due immediately for her brother’s surgery. And that was just for the operation. There would be follow-up treatments, medications, and weeks—maybe months—of recovery.

“I’m sorry, Miss Bennett,” the doctor said gently. “Without the surgery, your brother might not make it through the month.”

Lily nodded slowly, mechanically. Her brain registered the words, but her heart refused to accept them.

She rose, murmured a thank you, and left the office in a daze. Her steps echoed through the quiet hallway like a countdown ticking in her ears.

The hospital cafeteria was half-empty. She sat in a corner, staring down at her phone. Three more loan applications had been denied. Her credit was ruined. She’d already pawned her mother’s jewelry and maxed out every card she owned. There was nothing left.

Her hands trembled as she held her phone. She had no one to call. No family. No help.

She pressed the screen to her forehead, whispering, “Please, God… just give me something.”

As if in answer, her phone buzzed.

Unknown Number.

She hesitated. Then picked up.

“Hello?”

“Miss Bennett,” a deep, smooth voice spoke. Cold. Confident. “This is Damian Blackwood.”

Her stomach dropped.

Of all people.

He was the ruthless CEO of Blackwood Corporation. The same man who had her fired two days ago—for spilling a cup of coffee on his thousand-dollar suit. He hadn’t accepted her apology. He hadn’t even looked at her.

“What do you want?” she said stiffly.

“I have a proposition.” He didn’t waste words. “Meet me at The Lexington Hotel. Room 1503. In one hour. Don’t be late.”

He hung up.

---

One Hour Later

Lily stood outside Room 1503, heart thundering. This was insane. She should leave. Whatever he wanted—it couldn’t be good.

But she knocked.

The door opened smoothly. Damian Blackwood stood tall and sharp in a tailored black suit, his face cold as marble.

“Come in.”

She stepped inside cautiously, her eyes scanning the luxurious suite. A crystal chandelier hung above. Rich velvet curtains lined the windows. It was like stepping into another world.

“I assume you’re wondering why you’re here,” he said, turning away from her.

“I don’t have time for games, Mr. Blackwood.”

“Good,” he replied, pouring himself a drink. “Then I’ll be direct. I need a wife. For one year. A marriage of convenience.”

Lily blinked. “Excuse me?”

He finally turned, eyes locking on hers. “It’s a business arrangement. Nothing more. You play the role of my loving wife in public. In private, we stay out of each other’s way. One year. When it’s over, we part ways.”

She laughed. A short, sharp sound. “Is this some kind of twisted joke?”

“No.” He took a step forward. “In return, I’ll pay for your brother’s surgery. All of it. And cover his recovery expenses.”

Her breath caught.

“How do you know about—”

“I make it my business to know everything about people I choose to deal with,” he said simply.

Lily backed up a step, heart pounding. This was wrong. Insane. A fake marriage? With a man she hated?

But then she pictured Noah, her little brother, hooked up to machines, his smile fading more each day.

“I don’t even know you,” she whispered.

“You don’t need to,” he said. “You just need to act. Can you do that, Miss Bennett?”

She stared at him. His face was unreadable, but there was something… broken, buried behind those cold eyes. He wasn’t doing this out of kindness. He had secrets too.

Her pulse raced. Her pride screamed no—but her love for Noah was louder.

She raised her chin.

“I’ll do it.”

Damian’s lips curled slightly—almost a smile, but not quite.

“Good,” he said. “The contract will be ready by morning.”

And just like that, Lily sold her freedom—for her brother’s life.