Chapter 1 #2
"And if I don't show?" I stared at the check on the table, swallowing hard.
He smiled confidently. "I believe you'll make the smart choice, Miss Morris."
He turned to leave, then stopped after two steps and looked back. The dim light hit his high nose bridge and prominent brow bone, making him look devastatingly handsome.
"By the way," he said, mouth curving into a dangerous smile, "you're prettier than your photos. Especially when you're about to hit someone. Your eyes light up like fire."
Then he left.
Just like that.
Leaving me sitting there alone, heart pounding like it would explode, staring at that damn business card and that scorching check.
Jesus, he just left one hundred grand sitting here? For a split second, I wanted to grab the check and run without looking back, take Mom with me, screw the loan sharks.
Two million dollars.
My hand reached for the card, then pulled back. Reached again. Pulled back.
Damn it.
Two AM, I finally dragged my exhausted body out of the bar. Like always, my feet were blistered from cheap heels, my back ached like it'd been stabbed with rebar. I just wanted to go home, shower, and pass out.
But I knew I wouldn't sleep.
Because all I could think about was that silver-haired man and his insane offer.
I caught the last bus to the hospital. I'd promised Mom I'd visit at least once a day, even if it was the middle of the night.
The nurses were chatting at their station. They'd gotten used to my late-night visits and smiled at me. I smiled back and headed to Mom's room.
The hospital corridor was eerily quiet, just the damn machines beeping.
I eased open the door to her room. Mom lay frail in the hospital bed, the monitor beeping steadily. She slept restlessly, brow furrowed, her pale face drained of all color.
I sat by her bed and gently took her skeletal hand. Her hand was cold, so light it felt like it might drift away.
Since Dad died, Mom had been bedridden. The doctors said she needed heart surgery, but it cost a hundred and fifty grand.
I worked three jobs—cashier at a convenience store during the day, server at a fast-food joint in the afternoon, and bartender at night.
Even so, after rent and living expenses, I could only save one thousand a month.
At this rate, it'd take over ten years to save enough for surgery, and that's if those damn debt collectors didn't catch me.
But the doctors said Mom didn't have that long.
"Avery?" Mom opened her eyes. Seeing me, she managed a weak smile. "It's so late. Why'd you come?"
"Just got off work. Stopped by to check on you." I tried to make my smile look easy. "How are you feeling?"
"Like I got hit by a truck," she joked, but her voice was so weak it broke my heart. "But better than before, baby. I think I can leave the hospital. It's so stuffy here—maybe recovering at home would help me get better faster..."
My chest felt like someone had punched it.
"Mom," I squeezed her hand, trying to keep my voice steady. "You know what the doctor said. You need surgery."
"Surgery's too expensive, baby." Guilt filled her eyes. "I can't let you—"
"Don't," I cut her off, my voice sharper than intended. "Don't say that. I'll figure it out, okay? I promise."
She looked at me with this unbearable mix of sadness and love.
"Avery..."
The door eased open, and my best friend Lina peeked in, her brown curls tied in a ponytail, exhaustion but warmth on her face.
Lina was a nurse here. My only real friend.
"Hey," she said softly. "I knew you'd come."
She walked in, efficiently checked Mom's monitor and IV, then gestured for me to follow. In that short time, Mom had already drifted off. I tucked her hair behind her ear, stood up, and followed Lina into the hallway.
"How is she today?" I asked.
Lina sighed. "Not great, Avery. Her heart's getting weaker. If she doesn't have surgery soon..." She didn't finish, but I knew what she meant.
I leaned against the wall, feeling like I was about to collapse. "I know. I just... I don't know what to do, Lina. I'm doing everything I can, but it's not enough."
"Hey, listen," Lina grabbed my hand and pulled me into a tight hug. "You've done more than enough. Not everyone can work three jobs and stay sane. You're a fighter, Avery."
I breathed into her shoulder, tears burning my eyes, but I held them back.
"Speaking of which," Lina pulled back, concern in her gaze. "You look worse than usual. What happened?"
I hesitated, then decided to tell her. "Tonight at the bar, this guy... he offered to pay me two million dollars."
Lina's eyes went wide as saucers. "What?! Does he want to keep you? You're not selling yourself, are you?"
"Shh!" I clapped my hand over her mouth. "Keep it down! It's not like that!"
She pulled my hand away, voice lowered but still shocked. "You're joking, right? Who? What creep?"
"Patrick Winchester," I said. "I mean, he wants me to work for him for a month. Pretend to be his wife."
Lina gasped. "The Winchester Group, Winchester? Holy shit, Avery, he's the richest guy in the city. No contest!"
"I know," I rubbed my temples. "That's why this whole thing's insane. Why would he pick me?"
"Because you're a good person?" Lina suggested. "And honestly, if the money's real... Avery, this might be your mom's only shot."
I looked at her, then leaned back against the wall again. "This is crazy. I don't even know this guy."
"But you know what two million dollars can do," Lina said, her voice turning serious. "Look, I'm not saying you should take it. But at least hear him out. Get the details. If it sounds too shady, walk away. But if it's real... Avery, you have to consider it."
I knew she was right. But the idea—pretending to love a stranger, playing the perfect wife on camera.
My stomach twisted.
"And seriously," Lina added, a wicked grin tugging at her mouth, "it's time you got over that asshole Mark. Even if it's fake, at least you'll get to experience what it's like being pursued by a billionaire."
Mark. My ex. We were together for three years. I thought he was the one. Then two months after Dad died, he cheated on me with my coworker, dumped me with "Sorry, I can't handle all this baggage," and left like I was some old shirt he didn't need anymore.
"Don't bring him up." My voice went flat. "And this isn't pursuit, Lina. It's a business transaction."
"Who cares?" She shrugged. "At least it'll be interesting. And think about it—a month from now, your mom's healthy, debts are paid, you and Lilith can open that little bakery. I really miss Lilith's bread. Sounds pretty good, right?"
I imagined it. Mom smiling and healthy. Me in Mom's bakery. No debt. No pressure...
"Go," Lina urged. "At least meet him. Look at the contract. You can always say no."
I looked into Lina's caring eyes and nodded. "Okay. I'll think about it."
"That's the Avery I know," Lina smiled. "The fighter. Now go sit with Lilith a while. I'll take care of her, I promise."
I went back to the room. Mom was asleep. I sat by her bed, holding her hand, watching her peaceful face. The monitor beeped steadily, each beep reminding me time was running out.
When I left the hospital, dawn was breaking. I stood at the entrance, watching the sky lighten, my hand unconsciously touching the business card in my pocket.
A thin piece of paper. But it felt like it weighed a ton.
In that moment, Mom's frail face, the monitor's cold numbers, Lina's encouraging expression—it all churned through my mind.
I pulled out my phone, stared at the number on the card, my finger hovering over the screen for a long time.
Nothing good comes for free. Dad believed all those get-rich-quick scams and ended up losing everything, hanging himself in an alley outside a casino.
But... what if this was real?
Two million. Enough to save Mom. Enough to pay off the debts. Enough to start over.
And all I had to give was one month of my time, playing a fake wife.
Maybe Lina was right. I should try.
I bit my lip and dialed the number.
"Hello?" A young woman's voice answered.
"I... I'm Avery Morris." My voice shook. "Tell Mr. Winchester I've made my decision."
"Of course, Miss Morris. Mr. Winchester has been expecting your call. Tomorrow at three PM, please come to this address."
I hung up, stared at the rising sun, and suddenly felt like I was jumping off a cliff. I didn't even know if there were rocks or water below. But there was no turning back now.
I looked back at the hospital building.
Mom, wait for me. I'll save you.