yn's
able 7. My mind wandered, distracted by the noise around me. It had been a tough day, like every ot
red the diner. I glanced up to see who it was, and
intimidating presence clashed with the diner's casual vibe. His confident energy commanded attenti
eyes locked onto me, and a shiver ran down my spine. I
sending a tremor through her. It w
her voice regularly, surprised that he kn
ou in private," he sai
me a minute. I will be with you shortly" I
the diner. I was still shocked about what was going on. My fri
Kelvin Styles," she said to me w
. If you don't mind covering for me. I won't be lo
d stood before him, as I waited for h
o the back booth. His tone was f
ity gala where I had accidentally spilled a drink on him. He had been c
eed him. I sat down, facing him. I played with my hands nervously hoping he h
you wanted to see me I would be glad" There was s
poke, his voice low and deliberate.
rrowed. "A
is arms at the desk, his gaz
for a hint of humor but found none. His expression was dead serious, his w
ed, my voice sligh
hough he had been discussing an enterprise deal. "A
United States-came to her place of work to seek a wife and it was no other person than her. No, t
e?"I repeated, my voic
ate enough to agree to my terms. I know about your debts, Evelyn. Your mother's medical bills. I can take care of all of it. One c
g. Of course, he did. Powerful men like Kelvin Styles had access to information that ordinary people like me couldn't even imagine ha
ked, my voice trembling, a shaky edge
ngement," he said, ignoring the accusation
pinning. Marry him? The idea was absurd. A month ago, she didn't kn
, wanting to know the full details.
ied by year's end. It's a technicality, but one I can't ignore. You're convenient, and you have no ties that could complicate
like a crushing wave. She had no other options, no escape from this desperate choice. Her mother's life hung in the balance, and Evelyn's decisio
no, Evelyn," he stated quietly, but with finality. "I'm offering you a way out. One year
ights worrying about bills, no more fear of losing my mom due to unaffordable care. Yet, the
oice do
im. "One year?" I requeste
"After that, you'll be f
e, live a lie for a year just to live on? The answer got here fast. I had
ers trembling as I spoke the
whispered. "
'll sign the agreement tomorrow.
alone with the burden of my choice, I couldn't hel