CHAPTER 5: Save Hayden

DAMON'S POV

“Marry me, Miss Sophia Clark.”

“W-what?” She stammered.

“You heard me. Marry me.”

“Mr. Graham… you can’t be serious.” She tried to find her voice, though it came out barely a whisper. “Why... why me?” Her voice trembled.

“I need you to marry me.” I cleared my throat. “A marriage in name only, of course. A contract. It wouldn’t be real.”

She shook her head, still stunned. “Mr. Graham, I… I don’t understand. Why…why would you ask me to do something like that?”

“I’ll pay you £10 million if you agree to marry me, for a year. All you have to do is sign the contract, and pretend to be my wife, only in the presence of my family.”

Her eyes widened, but she didn’t speak.

“£10 million will change your life. I know it will. And for me… well, let’s just say I need to show my family that I’ve settled down. That I’m capable of ‘commitment’. 

I practically spat the word. “But it’s all for show. You won’t be involved in anything beyond the paperwork.”

I studied her closely, noticing the way her shoulders had relaxed so slightly. Maybe my words were sinking in. Maybe she was starting to realize what an opportunity this was. 

“I’m a billionaire, Miss Clark,” I bragged. “£10 million is nothing to me. But to you? It’s everything. You could live comfortably.” My hand brushed against her neck, sliding down to her waist.

There was a long silence in the room. Her breathing had slowed, and her face softened. 

For a moment, I allowed myself to think that she was coming around, that she was seeing the logic in what I was offering. After all, who would turn down such a huge amount just for a few months of pretending?

But then, something shifted in her eyes. Her brows furrowed, and she suddenly stiffened, as if she had come to some internal decision. Without warning, she pushed me slightly with her notepad.

“No! No, I won’t marry you! Not for money. Not for anything.” 

She turned and fled toward the door, leaving me standing there, bewildered. I stared after her, my fists clenching.

What the hell just happened?

I paced back toward my desk, hands running through my hair, frustratedly. I gripped the edge of my desk, as memories of my phone call with my mother resurfaced.

“No, I told you, I already have someone in mind. So you can't blackmail me into marriage.,” I lied to her confidently when she concluded she had found a suitable bride for me.

But I had no one in mind. Until Miss Clark had walked into my office, and some twisted part of me thought, ‘Why not her?’

“I’m giving you two months, Damon,” her voice was icy, filled with disappointment. “You need to get married, or I’ll sever all ties with you. I’m serious. I will take back everything your father left behind.” 

‘But I worked hard to expand my dad's empire, didn't I?’

Out of frustration, I swept the papers off my desk, sending them flying across the room. I felt a surge of anger at myself, at this whole situation. Why did I ever think this would work?

SOPHIA’S POV

“Thanks for working hard today” Mr. Leo smiled.

“Bye, sir. See you tomorrow” I pulled my bag tighter around myself, ready to leave for home. 

The street was almost empty as my feet carried me home after the bus dropped me off at my stop.

My boss's words replayed in my mind. “Marry me, Miss Clark. One year, £10 million.” 

‘On my first day at work? Why me?’

As I stepped inside the orphanage, Kayden and Hayden rushed toward me, their faces lighting up like the sun. 

“Mommy!” I pulled them to a tight hug.

“Look what ma'am Debra gave us!” They released themselves from the hug and thrusted two brightly wrapped toys toward me. “She gave presents to all the kids!”

I smiled, though it didn't quite reach my eyes. “That’s wonderful, darlings.” I ruffled their hair.

Mother Rose approached us. “How was your first day at work, dear?”

“It was… fine.” I sighed, forcing a tight smile as I dragged my legs to the room.

After putting my kids to sleep, I sat down to eat with Mother Rose who was gisting me about the gifts the children received from a kind philanthropist. She applied ointment on my sprained ankle.

Suddenly, a frantic voice pierced the air. “Mom!” Kayden yelled, his voice trembling with panic. “Hayden…he’s having one of his attacks!”

My heart stopped. My spoon clattered to the table as I leapt to my feet. “Hayden!” I rushed to him, where he was clutching his chest, gasping for air, his face twisted in pain. “No, no, no…” 

Mother Rose and some other staff who were asleep woke from their sleep and were quick to help. We carried him out, my heart pounding in terror. 

I kept crying as I listened to the sound of Hayden’s labored breathing. He laid on my lap, and I held his hand the entire time, whispering soft words of comfort. Though inside, I was crumbling.

We reached the hospital, and the doctors took him immediately. I paced the waiting room, biting my nails, feeling utterly helpless. 

Finally, Dr. Matthews came out, he wore a stern look on his face.

“I warned you not to let him play rough, Sophia,” he scolded, with a cold voice. “His heart can’t take it. 

I’ve given him medication for now, but he needs that surgery within two days. Otherwise…” the weight of his unfinished sentence hung in the air. 

“It’s £8 million, Sophia. You don’t have much time.” He trailed off.

Eight million? My knees nearly buckled beneath me. Tears blurred my vision. How am I going to find that kind of money?

Mother Rose wrapped a comforting arm around my shoulders. “Everything will be alright, dear.” she whispered, but her words felt hollow.

I couldn’t stop the tears from falling. The room felt like it was closing in on me. Everything was too much. Too heavy. 

‘I can’t lose him. I won’t.’ I told myself as I clutched my hands to my chest, trying to breathe, trying to think of something, anything.

Then it hit me like a sledgehammer.

Mr. Graham's offer.

‘£10 million. Enough to save my Hayden. If I do this, I can keep him alive.’

My hands shook as I wiped my tears. 

‘I know what I have to do.’

**********””””

The next morning, I arrived at the office late, my heart thudding in my chest as I forced myself toward his office. Without thinking, without knocking, I pushed the door open. He was on the phone, his back to me. 

For a moment, I hesitated. The words stuck in my throat. But then I thought of Hayden in that hospital bed, and suddenly, I didn't care about my pride or dignity.

“Mr. Graham,” I called, my voice trembling. He surprisingly turned. His brow furrowed, but I didn't give him a chance to speak. 

I fell to my knees, tears streaming down my face. “I’m ready… I’ll marry you, sir.” 

“I’ll marry you. Just… Please save my Hayden.”