Dawn wiped her hands on her apron, standing behind the counter of the pizzeria as the lunch rush faded into a lull. Across from her, Alex, her new coworker, leaned casually, offering her a friendly smile.
"You're amazing at this, Dawn. Seriously. Do you live alone? I'd love to come visit," Alex said, her tone warm and curious.
Dawn shook her head with a small laugh. "I live with my three siblings."
Alex's eyes widened. "Oh wow, I wish I had siblings."
"You don't?" Dawn asked, surprised.
"I do," Alex said, smirking. "But I hate them, so they don't count."
They both burst into laughter, the sound cutting through the quiet restaurant.
Before Dawn could respond, the bell over the door jingled, drawing her attention. A well-dressed woman in her forties stepped inside, her confident stride and piercing gaze silencing the laughter. Dawn froze, recognizing her immediately.
"Daphne Manchester?" Alex whispered, her voice barely audible. "What is she doing here?"
Dawn's heart raced. Daphne, one of the wealthiest women in town, walked straight to the counter.
"I need a word with you," Daphne said, her tone leaving no room for argument.
Dawn hesitated but nodded, glancing nervously at Alex before stepping away from the counter. She followed Daphne to a corner booth, sitting across from her.
"Good afternoon, ma'am," Dawn began, her voice shaky. "If this is about the other day, I'm truly sorry. Please don't get me fired. I really need this job."
Daphne's expression remained unreadable. "I didn't come here to get you fired. I came to offer you a better job—one that will allow you to take care of your siblings and settle your rent."
Dawn blinked in shock. "How... how do you know about that? I never mentioned..."
"Let's just say I've been keeping an eye on you," Daphne interrupted.
Dawn's confusion deepened. "But why?"
"I'm here to offer you a deal," Daphne said, leaning forward. "I'll give you an upfront payment of $3,000, and you'll receive $6,000 every month."
Dawn's jaw dropped. "What? Why would you do that? What's the catch?"
Daphne's gaze softened slightly. "It's for someone I love—my son."
Dawn swallowed hard, her mind racing. "Okay... but what exactly do you want me to do?"
"I need you to befriend my son," Daphne explained. "Make him fall in love with you. Marry him. And love him in return."
The words hung in the air, heavy and surreal. Dawn's mind spun. Was this woman serious?
"I... I don't understand," Dawn stammered. "Is he some kind of prince looking for a princess?"
Daphne smiled faintly. "No, he isn't a prince. And he has no idea I'm doing this. Let me explain." She paused, her eyes glistening with emotion. "Three years ago, my son Adam married Ava. They were deeply in love, and their lives were full of joy. But everything changed when Ava was diagnosed with a brain tumor. She's been in a coma for two years now. Adam has been waiting for her to wake up, but..."
She trailed off, her voice breaking slightly.
"I want her to wake up too," Daphne continued, "but Adam needs to live again. He's broken, Dawn. He barely eats, and he hasn't smiled in years. I want to give him a reason to be happy again."
Dawn felt a pang of pity for Adam but quickly thought of her own struggles. Her rent was overdue, her siblings depended on her, and she had no experience with relationships, let alone a situation like this.
"Thank you for the offer, ma'am," Dawn said carefully, standing. "But I can't. I'm sorry."
Daphne's expression hardened slightly. "You'll have nothing to worry about anymore if you accept. Think about it."
Dawn nodded politely but didn't respond. She walked back to the counter, where Alex immediately leaned in.
"What was that all about?" Alex whispered.
"It's nothing," Dawn mumbled, avoiding her gaze.
"Nothing? Dawn, you were just talking to Daphne Manchester—the wealthiest woman in town—and you're telling me it's nothing?" Alex pressed, nudging her.
Dawn forced a small laugh. "It's really nothing important."
On her way home, Dawn couldn't stop replaying Daphne's offer in her mind. The promise of financial stability tugged at her, but the idea of deceiving someone into love left a bitter taste in her mouth.
As she approached her apartment, she froze. The door had a large sign across it: CLOSED. Her heart sank.
She fumbled with her keys, but the lock wouldn't budge. Panic set in as she realized what had happened. Mr. Harrow had locked them out.
Her siblings. Where were they? The twins had gone out earlier, but Amy was supposed to be home with her friends. What if they came back and found the door locked? Dawn scrolled through her phone, searching for messages, but there was nothing.
She sank to the ground in front of the door, tears streaming down her face. "I'm the worst guardian ever," she whispered. "What have I done?"
Her phone buzzed, and she answered without hesitation.
"Hello?"
"You didn't tell me they were coming for New Year," her aunt Peige's voice snapped.
Dawn's heart raced. "They're with you? Are they okay?"
"They're fine," Peige replied coolly. "I told you this would happen. You'll come crawling back to me, and here we are."
The line went dead. Dawn clenched her fists, the thought of returning to Peige unbearable.
That night, Dawn stood outside the grand gates of the Manchester estate. Her decision had been made. She knocked, and the door was opened by Daphne herself.
"Not quite expecting you so soon," Daphne said, raising an eyebrow.
Dawn took a deep breath, her voice steady despite the storm raging within her. "I accept your offer."
Daphne's lips curved into a small, satisfied smile.