CHAPTER 1

The rain poured relentlessly over the city, turning the streets into shimmering rivers of reflected lights. Ava Hart tightened her grip on the worn umbrella in her hand as she rushed toward St. Mary's Hospital, her soaked sneakers splashing through puddles.

Her phone vibrated again.

She didn't need to look to know who it was.

The hospital.

Her heart sank anyway.

"Ava Hart speaking."

"Miss Hart, this is a reminder that your mother's surgery has been scheduled for tomorrow morning. Unfortunately, if the remaining payment isn't completed before midnight, we'll have no choice but to postpone the operation."

Ava stopped walking.

Her throat tightened.

"Please..." she whispered. "Can't you give me one more day?"

"I'm sorry. Hospital policy doesn't allow that."

The call ended.

For several seconds, Ava simply stood there as the rain drenched her hair and clothes.

Tomorrow.

She had until tomorrow.

If she couldn't find the money...

No.

She refused to think about losing her mother.

Her mother was all she had left.

Inside the hospital room, the familiar scent of medicine wrapped around her.

Her mother smiled weakly from the bed.

"You look exhausted, sweetheart."

Ava forced herself to smile.

"I just came from work."

"Did you eat?"

"Of course."

It was a lie.

She hadn't eaten since yesterday afternoon.

Her mother reached for her hand.

"You've been working too hard because of me."

"Don't say that."

"I'm only becoming a burden."

Tears burned behind Ava's eyes.

"You are my family. You'll never be a burden."

Her mother smiled sadly.

"When your father died, I promised him I'd always protect you."

"You already did."

"No..."

Her mother's voice trembled.

"I wanted you to live happily. Instead, you've spent years sacrificing everything."

Ava squeezed her hand.

"I'll figure this out."

"You always say that."

"And I always do."

She prayed that this time wouldn't be different.

Three hours later...

Ava walked out of yet another office building.

Rejected.

Again.

"I'm sorry, Miss Hart."

"We're not hiring."

"We've filled the position."

"You don't have enough experience."

The words echoed endlessly inside her mind.

She checked her bank account.

$214.63.

The surgery cost...

$250,000.

The difference felt impossible.

A car horn startled her.

A sleek black Rolls-Royce pulled up beside the curb.

Its tinted window slowly lowered.

A middle-aged man wearing a tailored suit stepped out.

"Miss Ava Hart?"

She frowned.

"Yes?"

He bowed politely.

"My employer would like to meet you."

"I think you've mistaken me for someone else."

"We haven't."

She took a cautious step backward.

"I don't know your employer."

"He knows you."

Every instinct told her to walk away.

"I'm not interested."

The man calmly handed her a black envelope.

"My employer asked me to give you this before you decide."

Curious despite herself, Ava opened it.

Inside...

A hospital invoice.

Her mother's.

Paid in full.

She stared at it.

"What is this?"

"A gift."

"No one gives away two hundred and fifty thousand dollars."

"My employer does."

"Why?"

"You'll receive your answer once you meet him."

Ava looked from the paper to the luxurious car.

This had to be a scam.

It had to be.

Yet the hospital seal looked genuine.

"What if I refuse?"

The man smiled faintly.

"Then we'll cancel the payment."

Her heartbeat quickened.

"You can't do that."

"We can."

Silence stretched between them.

Finally...

She climbed into the car.

Twenty minutes later...

The Rolls-Royce stopped in front of Blackwood Tower.

Ava craned her neck upward.

The skyscraper pierced the clouds.

She knew this building.

Everyone did.

It belonged to Blackwood Group.

The wealthiest company in the country.

The receptionist greeted them immediately.

"This way, Miss Hart."

Private elevator.

Top floor.

Each passing second made her more nervous.

The doors opened.

The office beyond was breathtaking.

Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the glittering city.

Dark wood.

Marble floors.

Luxury in every direction.

Standing before the windows was a tall man in a perfectly tailored black suit.

Broad shoulders.

Powerful posture.

His hands rested behind his back.

Without turning around, he spoke.

"You're late."

His voice was calm.

Cold.

Commanding.

Ava frowned.

"I didn't exactly ask to come here."

He slowly turned.

For one suspended moment...

She forgot how to breathe.

Sharp jawline.

Piercing gray eyes.

Dark hair neatly styled.

He looked less like a businessman and more like a man carved from stone.

Every inch of him radiated power.

"Sit."

She remained standing.

"You paid my mother's hospital bill?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"I needed your attention."

Her brows knitted together.

"So this is blackmail?"

"No."

"It's manipulation."

"I prefer negotiation."

She crossed her arms.

"What do you want?"

He picked up a thin folder from his desk and placed it before her.

She opened it.

Her eyes widened.

Marriage Contract.

She looked up instantly.

"What kind of joke is this?"

"It isn't one."

"You expect me to marry you?"

"For one year."

She laughed in disbelief.

"You've completely lost your mind."

His expression didn't change.

"You need money."

"I'll find another way."

"You've spent six months trying."

Her smile vanished.

He knew.

How?

"I know everything about you, Miss Hart."

A chill crawled down her spine.

"Who are you?"

He extended a hand.

"Damien Blackwood."

Her heart skipped.

Everyone knew the name.

The youngest billionaire in the country.

CEO of Blackwood Group.

Feared by competitors.

Admired by investors.

Untouchable.

"I don't understand."

"You don't have to."

"I won't marry a stranger."

"You won't remain strangers for long."

She shoved the contract back toward him.

"My answer is no."

She turned toward the door.

Then his next words stopped her cold.

"If you leave now..."

"...your mother's surgery will be canceled within the hour."

Ava slowly turned around.

Her fists clenched.

"You said the bill was paid."

"I also said it could be canceled."

"You monster."

"I've been called worse."

Tears welled in her eyes.

"You'd use my mother to force me?"

"I'm offering you a choice."

"This isn't a choice."

"It is."

Silence swallowed the room.

Damien slid a pen across the desk.

"Marry me for one year."

"When the contract ends, you're free."

"And if I refuse?"

His gray eyes met hers without emotion.

"Then walk away."

Ava stared at the contract.

Then at the pen.

Then at the man who had just placed her entire world on one impossible decision.

Outside, thunder roared across the sky.

Inside...

Her future waited for a single signature.

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