CHAPTER3

I sat there holding the contract in my hand when I felt a lump in my throat that formed a stingy feeling in my eyes. The words of Mr. Dre were ringing in my head like a song that can pierce through one’s heart and mind.

The man had said to Mrs. Alison, ‘I’ll leave you to think about it’. ”I require your decision within 24 hours.”

I stared at him, my heart pounding, my thoughts unclear. “What do you mean, Sir?” I inquired shivering.

He didn’t even flinch. He took a document out of his pocket and said, “This is the contract we’ve agreed on, if you wish to continue with the contract marriage, sign on it and return it to me by tomorrow.”

My throat constricted in response. “And if I... don’t?” I could barely get the words out.

He stared at me like a mountain that could not be shifted. “Well let me put it this way,” he said in a frosty manner, “then I will not give you any money.”

My stomach dropped. His words, heavy as a hammer, fell on the already broken heart that I had. ”I…yes… I understand,” I managed to say, my fingers trembling as I held the contract in front of me.

He rose to his feet and loomed over me and I felt as if the weight of that decision was slowly choking me to death. “Well, I will let you think it over,” he said and then without uttering another word, he got up and walked out of the room, thus leaving me with the contract.

I looked down at the paper in front of me. Marriage? I never thought that I will end up in this position where I can only bargain my future and even my dignity just to ensure that my child will live.

“What am I going to do?” I asked myself, putting my hands on my hot cheeks, as I was frustrated and scared. “I need the money so badly but marriage? To a man like Mr. Dre? A man who is so heartless, so business-minded that he can only see things in terms of contracts and business deals?”

My head was filled with doubt. I have 24 hours to think over it. But if I say no... will he really refuse to help? And if I say yes. .. is this really the right thing Ariel should do?

I could get lost any deeper in my thoughts when a gentle voice broke the silence. “Madam, isn’t your conversation with Mr. Dre over?” she asked, her eyes wide as she looked at me, she was Mr. Dre’s personal assistant.

I quickly wiped my eyes to try and smile as quickly as I could. “Yes, we’re done,” I said, although nothing was complete as far as I was concerned.

I got up, feeling like a zombie, and walked out of his office to the Human Resource department to ask for the rest of the day off. When I did not see Mr. William, I felt my heart beat fast but his PA was quick to tell me that he was at the canteen. I told her thank you and went there, only to meet Mr. William and – of course, Mr. Dre eating their snack at the same table, on their break.

Taking a deep breath, I walked up to them. “Hello sir. Hello Mr. Dre,” I said to both of them while attempting to calm myself down.

Mr. William raised his head in astonishment. ‘Oh Alison, what’s the matter?’

“Sir, I was at your office this morning, but your PA told me to be here, I wish to go home early today because I have a personal issue to sort.”

Mr. Dre looked at me suspiciously for a moment, “You’ve been leaving early, Alison, have you been okay?”

My heart began to pound in my chest. “Yes sir, it is just a personal appointment that I have to attend to.”

“A personal appointment? But you haven’t even stayed until 1 PM today,” Mr. William said, the anxiety in his voice was very much audible. ”Are you in trouble, Alison? You’ve not met your monthly targets too.”Talk to me, I may be of help to you.”

I wanted to shout, to share all the feelings with someone, but how could I describe my life in a way that will not make me cry?

Before I could respond, Mr. Dre’s voice cut through the tension. "Let her go, William. She has a personal decision to make within the next 24 hours."

Mr. William hesitated but finally relented. "Alright. You can go."

I drove home, my thoughts a tangled mess of fear and helplessness. The moment I walked through the door, the nanny greeted me, but her words barely registered. I went straight to my room and collapsed onto the bed, burying my face in my hands as the tears came, hot and unrelenting.

I can’t do this. I can’t. My heart ached with the loss of my husband, and now the weight of saving Ariel crushed me. The grief was suffocating. Andrew... why did you leave me to face this alone?

But I had to be strong. For Ariel.

My phone rang, jolting me from my thoughts. The name on the screen was unfamiliar, but I answered.

"Good day, Mrs. Alison. This is Cynthia from St. Mary’s Hospital. The doctor asked me to remind you that tomorrow is the deadline for the p*****t. If the p*****t isn’t made by tomorrow, we’ll have no choice but to move your daughter to the public ward."

The phone nearly slipped from my grasp as my body shook with fear. "Please, Cynthia, don’t move her to the public ward. I’ll pay tomorrow. I’ll pay... just please don’t let anything happen to my daughter."

But as I hung up, my eyes fell back to the contract on the table. I have no choice. The words burned in my mind, blurring my vision with fresh tears. My daughter was dying. If I didn’t act now, I would lose her.

My hands trembled as I picked up the contract, reading the terms and conditions. I couldn’t believe what I was about to do, but Ariel needed me. I had to make this sacrifice, no matter what it cost me.

The next morning, I walked into Mr. Dre’s office, my heart pounding in my chest. I hadn’t slept at all, my mind consumed by the weight of my decision.

Mr. Dre looked up from his desk, his eyes cold and calculating as always. "Mrs. Alison, how may I be of help?"

I swallowed the lump in my throat, my voice barely a whisper. "I... I’ve made my decision, sir. I accept the contract."

His gaze lingered on me for a moment longer than necessary, a hint of satisfaction flickering in his eyes. "Very well," he said slowly. "I’ll have my lawyer draw up the papers. But let me make one thing clear, Alison: once you sign, there’s no backing out. You’ll be mine, body and soul."

I felt the words hit me like a punch to the gut, but I nodded, my resolve steeling. "I understand."

The lawyer arrived soon after, placing the papers in front of me. My hand shook as I picked up the pen. With one last deep breath, I signed my name, sealing my fate.

There was no turning back now.