Torn between Pride and Survival

Behind the billonaire's mask!

Chapter 3

Sophie's POV

"What?" I couldn't believe what I had just heard and saw in the paper.

"Be my woman and warm my bed" He said with a smirk. I felt like slapping him. What did he take me for? Do I look like a slut? And here I was thinking he looked like a model.

Taah!

Fuck those my thoughts!

"Don't worry, to people you will be my wife, and it's only for eighteen months as stated in the contract," he added.

"Do I look that cheap?" I asked, and tore the paper. "How will you even suggest that type of thing to a stranger?"

Julian's smirk faltered for a moment, but he quickly regained his composure. "Ah, come now, Sophie. Don't be dramatic. It's just a mutually beneficial arrangement."

"Mutually beneficial?" I repeated, incredulous. "You think using me as your sex toy is beneficial to me?"

Julian shrugged. "You'll get to live a life of luxury, and your mother will receive the best medical care. What more could you want?"

"I want respect," I said, my voice firm. "I want to be treated like a human being, not a plaything for your twisted desires."

Julian's eyes narrowed. "You're not in a position to make demands, Sophie. You need me, and I'm willing to help... for a price."

"I'd rather die than accept your proposal," I said, my heart racing with anger.

Julian's face darkened. "Fine. If that's how you feel, then your mother will suffer the consequences."

I felt a surge of fear, but I refused to back down. "You're disgusting," I spat. "I'll find another way to save my mother without selling my soul to you."

Julian's smirk returned. "Good luck with that. You have less than three days to come up with the money. After that, your mother's fate is sealed."

I turned to leave, but Julian's voice stopped me.

"Sophie!"

If he hadn't proposed that nonsense contract, I would have fallen for his voice once again.

I turned back, my eyes flashing with anger.

"I always get what I want. And what I want is you."

I shuddered at the sinister tone in his voice, but I stood my ground.

"Never," I said, before storming out of room.

"Sophie!" I heard Isabella called as I left the room, but i didn't answer and just walked to the waiting room and sat on a chair there. I still can't believe what I had just experienced. What could be his motive? How could someone be so cruel?

As I sat there, I heard the sound of footsteps approaching. I looked up to see Julian walking towards the exit, his eyes locked on mine.

He stopped in front of me, a sly smile spreading across his face. "In case you change your mind," he said, dropping a business card on my lap.

I picked it up and tore it into pieces without even checking it.

"I'll never change my mind," I said, my voice firm.

Julian chuckled. "We'll see about that. Desperation can be a powerful motivator, Sophie."

With that, he turned and walked away, leaving me feeling shaken and determined.

I would never surrender to Julian's twisted desires. Isabella joined me in the waiting room and sat in a chair opposite me.

Isabella and I sat in silence for a few moments, both of us lost in our thoughts. Then, suddenly, Isabella's eyes widened as she stared at her phone.

"What? I can't believe my eyes!" she exclaimed.

I leaned forward, curiosity piqued. "What is it?"

Isabella turned her phone to face me, showing me a news article on the screen.

"Julian Blackwood," I read aloud, my eyes scanning the article. She had searched for his name online.

"He's the sole heir to the Blackwood empire," Isabella said, her voice filled with awe. "And look at all these companies in his name."

I scrolled through the list, stunned. Blackwood Enterprises, Blackwood Industries, Blackwood Real Estate... the list went on.

"This guy is a billionaire," Isabella whispered.

I felt a surge of anger. "And he wants to use his wealth to manipulate me. He thinks he can buy anyone...I will find another way to save Mom."

"But Sophie..."

"Code blue! Code blue!" The hospital intercom blared.

Nurses and doctors rushed past us, urgency etched on their faces.

"What's happening?" I demanded, grabbing a nurse's arm.

"I don't know yet, but i think a patient's heart stopped." she replied, her voice tight with concern, and headed to the room.

I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. "No...no...no...it shouldn't be mom,"

Isabella wrapped her arms around me, holding me tight.

"Let's go to her room." She said, and I nodded.

We rushed to my mother's room, our hearts racing with fear. The doctor met us at the door, his face grim.

"What's happening?" I demanded.

"Your mother's condition has taken a turn for the worse," he said. "She needs immediate surgery to prevent further brain damage."

I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. "What!"

The doctor's expression was solemn. "If we don't operate within the next two to three hours, she'll likely fall into a coma."

I felt tears prick at the corners of my eyes as i watched the doctor leave. I went outside of the room with Isabella, and we both sat in a corner.

"What should I do, Isabella?" I asked, the tears flowing freely. "How will I see forty seven million dollars within two hours?"

"Sophie, will you reconsider the billionaire's offer?" Isabella asked.

I shook my head firmly. "No, I won't reconsider his offer. I'd rather die than sell myself to him."

Isabella's expression turned concerned. "Then how and where do you want to see almost fifty million dollars in two hours?" she asked, her voice laced with skepticism.

I took a deep breath, thinking frantically. "I don't know... but there must be another way."

Isabella's eyes locked onto mine. "Sophie, we're running out of time. Your mom's life is at stake."

I felt desperation creeping in. "I know...I know. But I won't give up. There must be someone or something that can help us."

Isabella nodded. "Okay...do you have any valuable possessions we can sell?"

I shook my head. "No...nothing that would fetch that kind of money."

"Then, just do it. It's just for eighteen months and then you are free." Isabella said, her hand on my hand. "You can even annoy him after your mom is well, so he can send you out of his house. And you have nothing to lose. You'll even gain respect as a billonaire's wife. And he's also handsome."

I pulled my hand away and stood up. "What about my self-respect, izzy?"

"Sometimes we have to make sacrifices for the people we love." She said, her voice barely above a whisper.

I looked at Isabella, shocked by her suggestion. "You really think I should consider it?" I asked, my voice laced with desperation.

Isabella's expression softened. "I'm just saying it's an option, Sophie. Your mom's life is worth considering it."

I took a deep breath, thinking frantically. "I don't know...I don't know if I can do it."

"You're strong, Sophie. You can do this." Isabella said in a calm and assuring voice.

"I need time to think." I paced around the hospital corridor.

Isabella nodded. "You have two hours."

As I paced, I couldn't shake off the feeling that I was trapped. Julian's words echoed in my mind: "I always get what I want. And what I want is you."

I could really find another way to get the money, but time's running out.

Or I could swallow my pride and accept Julian's offer. It's really true, I have nothing to lose. I am single anyway, but what about my mom? What will I tell her when she wakes up? I looked towards her room.

"If you are thinking about what to tell your mom, leave that for now. We'll cross that bridge when we get there." Isabella said, as if reading my thoughts.

"But I tore the paper and the business card." I said, looking worried.

"He will probably get another contract paper, and here..." she handed a business card to me. "I collected this in case you change your mind. Call him now!"

"Ok..." I said, as I typed his number on my phone.