Strangers In Vow

Mira Lawson balanced a stack of worn textbooks on her hip, pushing open the classroom door with her shoulder.

The room was buzzing with excitement as the kids rushed to their seats, backpacks thudding against the floor.

She managed a smile despite the dull ache in her chest. Teaching had always been her escape-a way to forget reality, even for a little while.

The classroom hummed with life, filled with the soft chatter of children and the gentle scratch of chalk on the blackboard.

Mira Lawson moved her hand in fluid strokes, forming neat, curved letters while trying to keep her mind from wandering.

It wasn't easy-her thoughts were tangled, heavy with worry.

"Amina, that's perfect!" Mira praised, giving the little girl an encouraging smile. Amina beamed, her tiny hands clutching the pencil tightly as she practiced her handwriting.

Mira moved on to the next desk, but her heart wasn't in it.

Her father's pale face haunted her thoughts-the way he looked so fragile and weak in that hospital bed, his breathing shallow and labored.

The doctor's words echoed relentlessly in her mind. The surgery must be done soon... It's the only chance.

The thought of losing her father made her heart ache.

One hundred thousand dollars. It might as well have been a million. They didn't have that kind of money.

The insurance wouldn't cover it, and their savings had already been drained by previous treatments. Mira swallowed hard, forcing down the panic that clawed at her chest.

Mira's chest tightened. A wave of helplessness washed over her, but she forced herself to focus on the kids.

They needed her present, not lost in worry.

The bell rang, and the children sprang from their seats, gathering their bags and rushing out the door with bright, carefree energy. Mira managed a small wave as they left, her smile dropping the second she was alone.

The classroom seemed unbearably quiet now. She wiped her chalk-stained hands on a cloth, trying to still her trembling fingers.

A knock sounded on the door, and she looked up to see Williams standing there, his face lined with concern. "Hey," he greeted softly, stepping inside.

Mira forced a smile. "Hey."

He leaned against a desk, folding his arms. "You looked spaced out during the staff meeting earlier. You okay?"

She wanted to lie, to brush it off like always, but she confessed. "It's Dad. They need more money for the surgery... a lot more."

Williams' expression tightened, sympathy softening his eyes. "I'm sorry, Mira. I wish I could help."

"I know." She gave a tight, tired smile. "It's just... You know what? Everything is fine."

He opened his mouth to respond, but his phone buzzed. He glanced at it, grimacing. "I need to take this. If you need anything, just let me know, alright?"

She nodded, but deep down she wasn't so open to Williams. She didn't feel safe talking about her problems to him.

Minutes after, a familiar figure appeared at the door.

"Aiden?" she breathed, grateful to see him.

Aiden Roberts and Mira Lawson have been friends since highschool. They shared a close relationship.

He stepped inside, his easy smile faltering as he looked at her face. "Hey," he said gently. "You okay?"

Mira forced a nod. "I've been waiting for you... I'm just tired."

He gave her a skeptical look and walked closer, his presence comforting and steady. "You've been off lately. Wanna talk about it?"

A bitter laugh escaped her lips before she could stop it.

"It's just... Dad. They said he needs the surgery immediately, or... or we could lose him." Her voice broke, and she covered her mouth to stop the sob from escaping.

Aiden wrapped her in a tight hug, his arms strong and reassuring. "I'm so sorry," he whispered. "I know how much he means to you."

She buried her face in his shoulder, allowing herself a moment of weakness. "I just don't know what to do," she whispered.

"They want so much money, Aiden. I've tried everything-loans, family, even selling the car. Nothing's enough."

He rubbed her back gently. "We'll find a way. Maybe we can start a fundraiser or-"

Mira pulled away, wiping her eyes. "Who would give that kind of money to people like us? It's hopeless."

Aiden frowned, not used to seeing her so defeated and broken. "Mira, you've always been a fighter. Don't lose hope now, it'll get better before we know it. We'll figure something out. We always do."

She tried to smile, appreciating his unwavering support, but it felt like her whole world was caving in. "Thanks for being here," she whispered.

Aiden gave her a crooked grin. "Always. You know that."

He glanced at his watch, a flicker of regret crossing his face. "I have to get to practice, but I'll call you tonight, okay?"

She nodded, watching him leave, and let out a shaky breath. Aiden was always a great support, but even he couldn't fix this.

Mira moved to her desk and sat heavily, her head in her hands. She couldn't bear the thought of losing her dad.

He was the one who had raised her after her mom passed, sacrificing so much to make sure she had a good life. Now, when he needed her most, she felt completely powerless.

Her phone vibrated on the desk, startling her. Mira picked it up and glanced at the screen-an unknown number. Hesitantly, she answered.

"Hello?"

"Miss Lawson?"

"Yes. Who's this?"

"This is Nathan Cole."

Her breath caught. Nathan Cole. The name was enough to make her pulse race. CEO of Cole Enterprises, the most powerful business tycoon in the city. Why would he be calling her?

"I'm sure you're wondering why I'm contacting you," he continued, his tone calm and detached.

"Yes... I am."

"I have a proposition for you," he said. "I need a wife for business reasons. In return, I will cover your father's medical expenses entirely."

Mira froze, gripping the phone tighter. "If I heard you right, you... want to marry me?"

"It's purely business. My public image needs improvement and stability. You're respectable and clean from scandal-an ideal candidate. Think about it."

She couldn't wrap her mind around his words. Marriage? To a complete stranger? For business? It sounded absurd and unusual.

"Why me though?" she managed to whisper.

"I did my research. You're suitable for the role. This is a mutually beneficial arrangement. You get the money your family desperately needs, and I secure my business reputation."

The bluntness of his words hit her hard. She wanted to scream at him for being so cold but desperation rooted her to the spot.

"I'm not forcing you," he continued. "The choice is yours. Let me know when we can meet to discuss the details."

Before she could respond, the call ended abruptly. Mira stared at the screen, her heart pounding.

Nathan Cole-a man she'd only heard about on the news-wanted to marry her to secure his image. It didn't make sense. Nothing about this made sense.

Her phone chimed again-a text from him.

"When can we meet?"

Mira swallowed the lump in her throat and stared at the message. She could barely comprehend what had just happened.

Marrying a stranger... just to save her father. Was it worth it?

Her mind spun, fighting to make sense of it. It was insane. Unreal. But her heart ached at the thought of losing her dad.

What choice did she have? If she didn't accept, he would die. Plain and simple.

A flicker of resolve ignited inside her. If this was the only way to give her father a chance at survival, she couldn't afford to hesitate.

But how could she step into something so drastic, so life-altering, without knowing what she was really getting into? It was overwhelming.

Her thumb hovered over the screen. Instead of replying, she put the phone down, squeezing her eyes shut. She needed to think.

To breathe.

Mira looked out the window, sunlight spilling through the dusty glass panes. Memories of her father teaching her how to ride a bike flashed through her mind-his laughter when she finally managed to balance without wobbling.

She couldn't lose him. Not like this.

She whispered a prayer, her voice trembling. "God, please... show me what to do. I can't lose him. Please help me find a way."

Taking a deep breath, she made up her mind. First, she would visit her father. Maybe being by his side would give her the clarity she needed.

Grabbing her bag, she left the classroom, her footsteps echoing down the empty hallways.

As she stepped into the cool afternoon air, Mira tried to steel herself against the fear gnawing at her soul.

She didn't know if she was about to make the biggest mistake of her life or save the one person who was important to her.

All she knew was that time was running out, and her father's life hung in the balance.