Isla's POV
The car is warm. Leather seats. Soft lighting. Classical music playing so quietly I can barely hear it.
Everything about it screams money.
Lucas sits across from me, completely relaxed. Like he already knows my answer. Like this was inevitable from the moment he started watching me three weeks ago.
I hate that he's probably right.
You got in the car. His voice is smooth, satisfied. That tells me everything I need to know.
It tells you I'm cold and tired. Nothing more.
It tells me you're considering my offer. He gestures to the contract still clutched in my hands. Have you read it?
Not yet.
Then read it now. I have all night, but you don't.
The threat is subtle but clear. Every minute I waste is a minute my mother doesn't have.
I open the contract with shaking hands. The interior light brightens automatically, illuminating the pages.
MARRIAGE CONTRACT AGREEMENT
The formal legal language makes my head spin, but I force myself to focus. To understand exactly what I'm signing away.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
Duration: One (1) year from date of marriage
Party A (Lucas Kane) agrees to:
Pay all medical expenses for Emma Walsh, including experimental cardiac surgeryProvide private medical care for the duration of Emma Walsh's lifeProvide housing and living expenses for Party B during marriage termMaintain public appearance of genuine marriage
Party B (Isla Thornton) agrees to:
Marry Party A in legal ceremony within two (2) weeksTransfer thirty percent (30%) controlling shares of Thornton Media to Party A immediately upon marriageReside in Party A's residence for duration of marriageAttend all required public events as Party A's wifeMaintain public appearance of genuine marriageSign non-disclosure agreement regarding true nature of arrangement
My stomach twists. You want my shares immediately?
The moment we say 'I do,' you sign them over. That's non-negotiable.
Those shares are the only thing of value I have left. The only leverage. And he wants them gone on day one.
I keep reading.
TERMS OF DISSOLUTION:
After one (1) year, marriage will be dissolved via divorceParty B will receive: No alimony, no settlement, no division of assetsParty B will retain: Continued medical care for Emma WalshParty A will retain: All Thornton Media shares, all personal assets
I get nothing, I whisper. After a year of being your wife, I walk away with nothing.
You get your mother's life. That's not nothing.
It's everything you want and nothing I need to survive.
Lucas leans forward, his eyes hard. You want to survive? Get a job. Work hard. Build something. You're smart, Isla. I've seen your work at Sterling Finance—you're wasted there. After the divorce, you'll have experience, connections, a resume that includes being married to a billionaire. Use it.
Or I'll be known as the gold digger who married Lucas Kane for money and got thrown away after a year.
That's one interpretation. His smile is cold. Or you'll be the woman who saved her dying mother by any means necessary. Depends on who's telling the story.
I flip to the next page. More legal clauses about confidentiality, public behavior, consequences for breach of contract.
Then I see it. A clause near the bottom that makes my blood run cold.
ADDITIONAL TERMS:
This is a marriage of convenience only. No romantic or physical relationship is implied or required. Separate bedrooms will be maintained. Party B is not expected to perform any wifely duties beyond public appearances.
He doesn't even want me. Not really. I'm just a chess piece in his revenge game.
You've thought of everything, I say bitterly.
I've had eleven years to plan this. Yes, I've thought of everything.
Why marriage? You're a billionaire. You could just buy my shares. Offer me money directly.
Because money isn't enough. His voice drops, cold fury seeping through the calm exterior. Your father needs to watch his daughter marry his enemy. Needs to see you choose me over him. Needs to attend a wedding where you become a Kane and help me destroy everything he built.
I'm not choosing you. I'm choosing my mother's life.
Same result.
I stare at the signature line. My hand hovers over it.
How do I know you'll actually pay for the surgery? How do I know you won't just take my shares and disappear?
Lucas pulls out his phone, types something, and shows me the screen.
It's an email to Dr. Sarah Chen, Head of Cardiac Surgery at Mount Sinai. Sent three hours ago.
Dr. Chen,
Please prepare for emergency cardiac surgery for patient Emma Walsh. Experimental procedure as discussed. Surgery to be scheduled within one week of my confirmation. All expenses covered by Kane Industries. Awaiting final approval.
- Lucas Kane
My throat tightens. You already contacted her surgeon.
I told you. I've been planning this for months. The surgery team is ready. The hospital room is reserved. Everything is waiting for one thing, your signature.
He planned this. All of it. Watched me suffer for months, waiting for me to get desperate enough.
And I am. God help me, I am.
I need to see my mother first, I hear myself say. Before I sign. I need to know she's okay.
Lucas checks his watch. It's 2:30 AM. Visiting hours
I don't care about visiting hours. You're a billionaire. Make it happen.
For the first time, something like respect flickers in his eyes. Fair enough.
He leans forward and taps on the privacy screen. It slides down. James, take us to Bright Hope Nursing Facility.
The driver James, nods. Yes, sir.
The car pulls smoothly into traffic. I watch the city slide past the window. Dark streets. Empty sidewalks. A few taxis prowling for late-night fares.
Somewhere out there, my father sleeps in his mansion. Natalie and Derek probably just got back from some expensive dinner. None of them thinking about me. None of them caring that I'm drowning.
Does my father know? I ask quietly. About your plan?
Not yet. But he will. The moment you become my wife, I'll make sure he knows exactly what's happening. And exactly why.
He'll fight you. He'll try to stop the wedding.
He'll try. He'll fail. Lucas's confidence is absolute. I've spent eleven years building an empire specifically to destroy him. Edward Thornton can't touch me now.
The car pulls up outside Bright Hope twenty minutes later. The building is dark except for a few lit windows. Night shift nurses moving between rooms.
James opens my door. Lucas follows me out.
You're coming in? I ask.
Yes. I want to see what I'm buying.
The cruel words sting, but I don't respond. Just walk through the automatic doors into the sterile lobby.
The night nurse at the desk looks up, startled. I'm sorry, visiting hours are over—
I need to see my mother. Emma Walsh. Room 247.
Miss, I can't just
Lucas steps forward, pulling out his wallet. He sets a business card on the desk. Lucas Kane, Kane Industries. I'm paying for Emma Walsh's medical care. I believe that gives me access regardless of visiting hours.
The nurse's eyes widen. She recognizes the name. Mr. Kane. Of course. Let me just... She fumbles with a key. I'll unlock the floor for you.
We ride the elevator in silence. My heart pounds. I haven't seen my mother in two weeks—couldn't afford the subway fare and the hour off work.
What if she's worse? What if she's
The elevator doors open. I rush down the hallway to room 247.
Mom is asleep. Hooked up to monitors that beep softly. An IV in her arm. Oxygen tube in her nose.
She looks so small in that hospital bed. So fragile. Like she might disappear if I look away.
I sink into the chair beside her bed, taking her hand carefully. It's cold. Too cold.
Mom, I whisper. I'm here.
Her eyes flutter open slowly. Confused at first, then focusing. Isla? Sweetheart? Her voice is weak, raspy. What time is it?
Late. I'm sorry. I just... I needed to see you.
You work too hard. She squeezes my hand weakly. You need to rest.
I'm fine, Mom. I promise.
Her eyes drift past me to where Lucas stands in the doorway. Who's your friend?
I freeze. What do I say? This is the man who's going to buy me to destroy my father?
This is Lucas, I manage. He's... helping with your medical bills.
Mom's eyes widen. Oh, sweetheart, no. You shouldn't have to ask strangers for help. I'll be fine. The doctors said—
Mom, you need surgery. Real surgery. And Lucas knows doctors who can help.
Lucas steps forward, his expression softening slightly. Mrs. Walsh, I have connections at Mount Sinai. The best cardiac surgeons in the country. They can perform the procedure you need.
Mom looks between us, tears filling her eyes. I can't afford
It's already taken care of, Lucas says gently. All you need to do is agree to the surgery.
But why would you... Mom's voice trails off. She's weak, confused, struggling to understand why a stranger would offer this.
Because your daughter is important to me, Lucas says. It's technically not a lie. I am important to his revenge plan. And I want to help.
Mom looks at me, searching my face. Isla?
I hold her hand tighter. It's okay, Mom. I promise. He's going to help us.
She starts to cry. Soft, exhausted tears. I was so scared. I didn't want to leave you alone.
You're not leaving me. You're going to get better. My own tears fall now. You're going to be fine.
We sit together for twenty minutes. Mom drifts in and out of consciousness, the medication making her drowsy. Eventually she falls asleep again, her breathing steady and even.
I stand slowly, still holding her hand.
Lucas waits by the door, giving me space.
She's all I have, I whisper. The only person who didn't abandon me. Who still loves me.
I know.
If I do this, if I marry you, you swear you'll save her? No tricks? No backing out?
Lucas meets my eyes. I swear. Whatever else I am, I keep my promises. Your mother will get the best medical care available. For the rest of her life.
I look at Mom one more time. So small. So fragile. So close to dying.
Then I look at Lucas. Cold. Calculating. Offering me a devil's bargain.
But a devil's bargain is still a chance.
Okay. The word comes out steady, strong. I'll sign your contract.
Lucas's expression doesn't change, but something flickers in his eyes. Triumph? Relief?
The car is downstairs. Sign now, and I'll call Dr. Chen before dawn. Surgery will be scheduled by Monday.
We ride the elevator down in silence. Get back in the car. James drives us through empty streets while I read the contract one more time.
This is insane. I'm signing my life away. Becoming property. A weapon in someone else's war.
But my mother will live.
That's all that matters.
Lucas hands me a pen. Expensive. Heavy. Probably costs more than my monthly rent.
Once you sign, there's no going back, he says quietly. You're mine for one year.
I'm not yours. I'm doing this for her.
Keep telling yourself that.
I press the pen to paper. My hand shakes.
Then I think of my mother's cold hand in mine. Her weak voice. Her fear of dying.
And I sign: Isla Thornton
Lucas takes the contract immediately, producing his own pen. His signature is bold, confident: Lucas Kane
Just like that, it's done.
Welcome to your new life, Mrs. Kane, Lucas says softly. I hope you survive it.
The car pulls up outside my apartment building. I reach for the door handle, but Lucas stops me.
James will pick you up Monday morning. 8 AM. We're going shopping.
Shopping?
You're going to be a billionaire's wife. You need to look the part. His eyes scan my thrift store clothes with obvious distaste. Everything in your closet needs to go.
The dismissal stings. These clothes are fine
These clothes scream poverty. I need you to scream power. He leans closer. You wanted this deal, Isla. Now play your part. Or the surgery gets cancelled.
Threat delivered, he sits back. 8 AM Monday. Don't be late.
I stumble out of the car, clutching the copy of our contract.
The car pulls away, leaving me standing alone on the dark street.
I just sold myself to save my mother.
Married a man who hates my father more than he could ever care about me.
Signed away my last asset, my dignity, my freedom.
And the worst part?
I'd do it again.
Because she's worth it.
My phone buzzes. A text from the same unknown number: Surgery scheduled. Monday, 6 AM. Mount Sinai Hospital. Your mother will live, Isla. You made the right choice.
Another text immediately follows: Now the real game begins. I hope you're ready.
I stare at my phone, Lucas's words echoing in my head.
I hope you survive it.
So do I.
Because something tells me the next year is going to be the hardest fight of my life.
And I just signed a contract giving all the power to my enemy.