my knuckles whitening as his outrageous wo

ded. My eyes narrowed on the tall, maddeningly compose

inconvenience. "For now," he said casually.

" I hissed, casting a quick glance over my shoulder. The street was quiet, but the thought of

were discussing the weather. "There are steps-furth

ack. "I'm not negotiating anything w

faintest flicker of amusement in his piercing blue ey

charming smile lighting up his annoyingly perfect face. "Armani,"

onfidence was infuriating, and yet... the name suited him. Armani. It had a smooth, almost rega

ng as he followed. "I'm serious. If you meet my

t sucked from my lungs as his words sank in. I turned

omething more earnest. "I'm not trying to take a

ms across my chest. The cash he'd handed me earlier-a ridiculous wad I hadn't

And your expenses will be fully covered during the pregnancy." His lips curved into a faint smile, one that almost looked genuine.

"The part of what?

o utterly infuriating. He shook his head, still smiling. "I'm getting ahead of myself," he admitte

t. His desperation should've been a giant red flag, but I couldn't seem t

I knew that. And yet, as much as I wanted

his pain and limitations. I could still hear the doctors' words ringing in my ears: the experimental spinal surgery could give hi

I trudged down the sidewalk, Armani's o

red. Anything? Isn't this exactly the k

all people for such a bizarre proposition. The promise of over a million dollars-more money than I could even comprehend-felt like

ughts. Juggling my books and my bag, I fumbled to grab it. One

shoved the phone back in

reath, frustration creeping into my voice. "

st in time to see my bus pulling aw

og. But the bus was already gone by th

he bus schedule on my phone. Twenty minutes u

r still

vian accent unmistakable. Turning, I found Armani standing

ep my tone polite. "Your offer is... generous. But you're askin

quite place. "I wasn't referring to that offer." His voice he

rown off guard. Every instinct screamed at me not to get into a car with a stranger,

he have come up with a more convin

tiously. "A ride w

ossing his face. It was gone in an instant, replaced by his usual self-assuredness. "

es as I followed him. "I

ou've already told me you're a librarian. Although

at him. "What's th

he size of teacups. Though, if I may..." His gaze flicked to my face, lingering just a second too

mewhere between flattered a

moothly, clearly noticing my hesitation.

desperate to change the subject

ring toward a sleek black M

around my bag. Then, with a sigh,

xpensive. I stared out the window as we drove, the silence stretching between us lik

ime," I blurted out,

expression unreadabl

w. "This is... a lot. I need more

d, nodding. "What tim

replied au

y. "We can discuss everything in detail. You'll have the entire da

of the library. It was just dinner, I reasoned. Nothin

pressed, hi

nodded. "Ok

g as I stepped out of the c

hinking it was another call from Donald, I ignored it. But when

the h

und the phone as the word

mbling as I swiped to answer the call. "Hello?"

l, detached-the kind that rarely delivered good news

my throat tightening. "Wha

t. "Your father's condition has taken a turn. He experienced some complications

tears pricking at my eyes. "Wh

nal surgery is no longer just an option. It's necessar

have the money yet," I stammered. "You know that. I

pathy I didn't want to hear. "I'm afraid this kind of procedure isn'

father's life-his chance at living without pain, without los

s. How was I supposed to fix this? My paycheck from the library barely covered re

t. "I'll pay for your father's treatment." His confidence, his certainty, the way

about to entertain the idea of signing away

n. His tired eyes, the lines of pain etched into his features, th

said, though we both knew there was no w

e back to reality. It was Donald, his f

arked. "You're

pocket. "Sorry," I muttered, brushing past

desperation. By the time my shift ended, my resolve was shaky at best. I st

as waiti

elaxed but his eyes sharp as they locked onto mine. As I approached, he s

ked, his voice

down on me. "I have questions," I said firmly,

r for me. "Let's discuss everything over din