k had seized her. The events of the night before replayed in her head like a nightmare

ce? A man of his size had no business getting involved in conflicts that had nothing to do with him in dim

r, the shelves were empty. She didn't even add milk to her coffee. She let out a sigh. Sh

at the door

d? Not even noon had arrived. She swallowed her dread and

suit. He didn't belong to the loan sharks; in

man's voice was cri

fore responding.

Mr. Lucas Hernandez. He

reath caug

she stammered. "Why w

't use messengers to discuss business. I've

options did she have? She was desperate, unemployed, and drowning in debt. S

id. "Give me a

-

r, watching the city pass by the window. She assumed the driver was Lucas's

s' imposing headquarters. Standing tall above the city like a quiet king

e chime, the doors opened to show an opulent office with floor-to-ceiling windows ov

e turned, his grey eye

voice was smooth

eeling herself. "Your man di

k touched his lip

ly. "Why am I her

chair across from hi

comfortable, Lucas sat behind the desk and studied

an offer

ped the arms of the

lightly. "You need mon

her like a sla

to appear... settled." "The investors I work with are old-fashioned. They v

ed. This can

ll attend events with me, play the role of my loving fianc

at him. "Yo

sion didn't ch

her lips. "So, what? Yo

rrected smoothly. "One t

hy me? Anyone may be your partner, including actresses,

ed slightly. "Becaus

ng down her neck, and she had no savings or a job. Even in a fictitiou

have a place to live and food to eat. And when the contract

be true. "What do you expect from me i

in every way that matters publicly. Behind closed doors, we

ing her to sleep with him. That was a s

say no?"

back to your debts, and back to a life where men like the

eatening her, not directly. But h

a moment. Six months. All he needed was t

yes, Lucas was still

whispered. "

smile spread acros

and pulled out a contra

as of today, you are

as she signed her name, she couldn't shake the feeling that this moment-this decis