Arielle Cruz sat quietly outside the emergency room, holding a hospital paper in her hands. Her fingers were cold, but her heart was burning with fear.
PHP 980,500.
That was the total bill for her sister Bella's surgery and treatment.
She looked through the glass window and saw her little sister lying in bed—pale and weak. Bella was only sixteen. So full of life… until last week. The doctor said it was a brain tumor. Dangerous. Growing fast.
"We need to operate soon," he had said. "But we can't do anything without payment."
Arielle wanted to scream. Cry. Run. But she did nothing. Just sat there, shaking.
She worked at a diner, sometimes doing side jobs just to afford food and rent. But now, even if she worked for ten years, it wouldn't be enough.
Her phone buzzed with another text from the hospital.
"Surgery needs to be scheduled this week. Payment must be made."
Arielle stood up slowly.
I need to save her. Even if it costs me everything.
---
Later That Night – The Rusty Spoon Diner
The diner was loud and busy. Arielle wore her apron and moved quickly between tables, serving food and smiling through her tired eyes.
She was carrying a tray of coffee when the door opened—and everything went quiet.
A tall man in black walked in. His steps were calm but heavy. He wore a long coat, black boots, and sunglasses even though it was nighttime.
People whispered:
> "It's Leonard Castillo..."
"The billionaire heir."
"I heard he needs a wife before his birthday or he loses his fortune."
Arielle knew the name. Everyone did. Leonard Castillo was rich, powerful, and cold. He was the CEO of Castillo Group and rarely smiled.
He sat in her section.
"Table twelve," her boss said. "Go. And don't mess up."
Arielle took a deep breath and walked over. She placed the tray down carefully.
"Here's your coffee, sir—"
But her hand slipped. The cup tipped and spilled hot coffee on his clean white shirt.
"Oh no!" Arielle gasped. "I'm so sorry!"
He looked at her with cold eyes.
"You should be more careful."
"I—I'll pay for the shirt. I—"
"You can't afford it," he said simply. "It's Dior."
He stood to leave. But something slipped from his briefcase and hit the floor with a soft thud.
It was a black folder.
---
Outside the Diner – Ten Minutes Later
Arielle stood behind the building, near the dumpsters. Her heart beat fast. She knew she shouldn't have taken it, but she panicked.
The black folder felt heavy in her hands.
I just want to return it… but maybe I should check inside?
She looked around. No one was there.
She slowly opened it.
Inside was money. Neatly packed stacks—probably PHP 1,000,000 or more.
She gasped and covered her mouth.
And then she saw the documents under the cash.
She pulled one out:
Marriage Contract Agreement
-Duration: 1 year
-Must live together
-No romantic feelings
-No pregnancy allowed
-Payment upon signing: PHP 1,000,000
Her eyes went wide. Her hands shook.
A fake marriage? Is this for real?
She read every word. Carefully. Twice.
And then… she whispered,
"Can I…?"
Tears filled her eyes.
"I know I shouldn't have looked," she said softly. "But… I need help. I need money for my sister."
---
The Next Day
Leonard returned to the diner.
He walked in like nothing happened and sat in the same booth.
Arielle stood waiting, holding the folder close.
She walked to his table.
"You left this yesterday," she said, placing the folder down.
Leonard looked at it, then at her.
"You opened it."
Arielle bit her lip.
"I didn't mean to… I was just curious. I didn't know what it was at first. And when I saw… I kept reading."
He said nothing.
"I know it was wrong. But after I read it all… I just thought…"
Her voice broke.
"Can I? Can I be the one?"
His eyes narrowed.
"You're serious."
"My sister's in the hospital," she whispered. "She needs surgery. I need the money. I'll follow the rules. No love. No expectations. Just the contract."
Leonard leaned back in his seat and stared at her.
Finally, he said:
"No love."
"No children."
"No drama."
"You follow the contract, I give you PHP 1,000,000. You break it, you get nothing."
Arielle nodded slowly.
"I understand."
"Then sign it."
He handed her a pen.
Her hand shook as she wrote her name on the line.
Arielle Cruz… now, legally, the wife of a billionaire.
---
That Night
Arielle came home with the envelope in her hands.
She placed the money in a drawer and rushed to her sister's side.
Bella opened her eyes slowly.
"Arielle… you're home early."
"Yeah," Arielle smiled, trying not to cry. "And your surgery… it's going to happen. I got the money."
"How?" Bella whispered.
"A friend helped," Arielle said. "Just rest now, okay?"
She kissed her sister's forehead and walked to the living room.
When she was alone, she sat down and let the tears fall.
She
married a man she didn't know.
She lied to her sister.
All for one reason.
To save her.
And now…
her life would never be the same again.
---
End of Chapter 1