The Despirate deal

Lena stood by the window, gazing out at the city that never seemed to slow down. The streetlights twinkled like a constellation, but they offered her no comfort. Her apartment, a small, humble space filled with memories of a life she could never reclaim, felt suffocating. Every inch of it reminded her of the abandonment she had suffered-of her father, who had long ago chosen his new wife over his daughter, leaving Lena to fend for herself in a world that seemed colder by the day.

Her phone buzzed on the small coffee table beside her, a sharp reminder that the world outside was still moving. It was a message from her doctor. She had been avoiding it for days, hoping the diagnosis wasn't as bad as it seemed, but now the truth was clear.

She opened the message, her fingers trembling slightly. The words jumped off the screen: You need surgery as soon as possible. The cost will be high, and your condition is worsening. Please make arrangements.

Lena closed her eyes, a wave of nausea washing over her. She clutched her stomach, feeling the familiar ache that had been with her for weeks. The pain had been growing worse, a constant reminder that her body was betraying her. But even more than the physical pain, the thought of what she had to do next terrified her. There was no way she could afford this surgery on her own. She had no savings, no family to turn to, and no one who cared enough to help her.

Her father, the man who had once promised to protect her, had abandoned her years ago. He had remarried, and his new wife-her stepmother-had quickly made Lena feel like a burden in her own home. The love that once existed between father and daughter had been replaced by indifference, and now, it felt like nothing more than a distant memory. Her stepmother controlled everything, from the smallest household decision to the major ones that affected their lives. Lena's father had no voice, no will of his own. He had become a shadow of the man he used to be, weak and dominated by a woman who had no empathy for anyone but herself.

Lena's phone buzzed again. This time, it was a call from her stepmother, and she groaned under her breath. She wasn't in the mood for her usual scorn, but she answered the call anyway.

"Lena," her stepmother's voice echoed through the speaker, as smooth and cold as ever. "You've been neglecting your duties at home. Your father's birthday is coming up, and I expect you to handle the preparations. Don't make me remind you again."

Lena clenched her jaw, fighting back the words that threatened to spill out. She had no interest in playing the dutiful daughter anymore. She had done everything for her father when he was still a present figure in her life, but now, it seemed like all she was good for was serving the whims of her stepmother.

"I'll handle it," Lena said, her voice as neutral as she could manage.

"Good," her stepmother responded, hanging up without another word.

Lena placed her phone down and rubbed her temples. Her father's birthday. The day she was expected to show up and pretend like everything was fine when, in truth, the family she had once known was fractured beyond repair. Her stepmother had taken everything from her-her father's attention, his love, and his power over his own life. She was the one calling all the shots now, and Lena was simply a bystander.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the soft knock at her door. She froze, not expecting anyone. Slowly, she walked over and opened it. Standing in front of her was a young man in a sharp suit-his dark hair neatly combed back, and his eyes hiding a weariness that mirrored her own.

"I'm sorry to intrude," he said, his voice smooth and calm, but with an edge of authority that caught her attention. "Are you Lena?"

"Yes, I am," she replied, her guard instantly going up. "Who are you?"

"My name is Adrian Blackwood," he said, offering a polite but distant smile. "I'm here to speak with you about an important matter."

Lena's brow furrowed. She didn't know anyone named Adrian Blackwood. And she certainly wasn't in the mood to entertain strangers. "I'm sorry, but I'm not sure I understand. How did you find me?"

"I've been looking for you for a while," he said, his tone even more serious now. "I understand you're facing a financial issue. I can help with that."

Lena blinked, unsure whether she was hearing him correctly. "Financial issue? I-what are you talking about?"

Adrian stepped forward, his gaze never leaving hers. "You need surgery, don't you? I've been told it's urgent, and the cost is out of reach for you."

Her breath caught in her throat. He knew about her condition, about her situation. But how? The last thing she expected was for someone to offer help, especially someone she didn't know.

"Who told you that?" she asked, her voice shaking slightly. She wasn't sure whether to be grateful or suspicious.

"I have my sources," Adrian said, his smile thin. "But that's not the point. The point is, I can help you. There's a deal I'd like to propose."

Lena's mind raced. A deal? What kind of deal could someone like him want with someone like her?

"What kind of deal?" she asked, barely able to conceal her skepticism.

Adrian's eyes softened for a moment, but his expression remained calculating. "I'm offering you a contract marriage. In exchange for your agreement to marry me under the terms of this arrangement, I'll cover the cost of your surgery. You won't have to worry about your health anymore."

Lena stared at him, her heart pounding in her chest. A contract marriage? The idea seemed absurd. But she knew the truth of her situation-she was desperate, and this man was offering her the one thing she could not afford: hope.

"I don't-" she began, but Adrian cut her off.

"You don't have to love me. You don't even have to like me. This is purely business. But it will get you what you need."

Lena felt a knot tighten in her stomach. This wasn't what she had imagined. But she was running out of options.

"Why are you offering this?" she asked, still trying to make sense of it all.

"I need to move on from my past," Adrian said, his voice hardening slightly. "And I need a wife. A temporary one. But I'm willing to help you if you'll agree to this arrangement."

She took a deep breath, the weight of her choices bearing down on her. The desperation that had been lurking in the back of her mind now clawed its way to the forefront. She had no choice. Her health, her future-it all rested on making this decision.

"I'll think about it," she said, her voice trembling slightly.

Adrian nodded. "I'll give you time. But don't take too long, Lena. Time is not something you have in abundance."

With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Lena standing in the doorway, her mind spinning. Was this truly her only way out?