Chapter 3

Chapter Three

Sarah’s POV

I stood at the doorway, my fingers gripping the strap of my bag tightly. The office was sleek and modern—black, white, and grey tones giving it a sharp, intimidating feel. Two paintings adorned the walls, though I barely noticed the details. My heart pounded against my ribs. This was the first time I had been called into the CEO’s office since I started working here two years ago.

“Please, take a seat,” Adrian said, his voice smooth yet commanding.

“I’m comfortable standing, sir,” I replied, trying to steady my voice.

“Miss Nathaniel,” he said again, slower this time, his tone leaving no room for argument. “Have a seat.”

With a reluctant sigh, I sank into the chair across from him, my back ramrod straight.

“You sent for me, sir,” I said, meeting his gaze with a mix of defiance and anxiety.

I had a bad feeling about this. Had my manager reported me? Did they find an excuse to fire me? I needed this job. I needed the money for Nora.

Adrian leaned back in his chair, fingers steepled as he studied me. “Sarah, I’ve gone through your file.”

I swallowed hard. “Okay…”

“I’m impressed,” he continued, tilting his head slightly. “Your work ethic is strong. Your record is clean—except for one… issue.”

I clenched my fists under the table. Of course. Here it comes.

“Your manager reported your absence at yesterday’s meeting,” he said, his voice calm but firm. “Care to explain?”

“It was a family emergency,” I said quickly.

His piercing blue eyes locked onto mine. “What kind of emergency?”

I hesitated.

It was Nora. She had gotten sick again, and I had to rush her to the hospital. But saying that out loud felt too personal. Too vulnerable.

Adrian sighed, rubbing his temple. “Sarah, we have procedures for a reason. You disappearing without notifying your superior—”

“I didn’t disappear,” I interrupted, my voice rising slightly. “I sent a message.”

“A message,” he repeated slowly, raising a brow.

I bit my lip, my fingers curling into the fabric of my skirt. “I’m really sorry, sir,” I said, my voice quieter now. “It won’t happen again.”

He studied me for a long moment, and then, finally, he exhaled.

“I’m sorry, Sarah,” he said, his tone almost regretful. “But this is the end of your journey at Blackwood.”

The words hit me like a slap. My breath caught in my throat.

“What?” I gasped, leaning forward. “Sir, please—I've been a dedicated employee. I love my job here. Can’t I do anything to fix this?”

His lips curved into a smirk. “Actually… there’s a way.”

Hope flickered in my chest. “Anything, sir,” I said eagerly. “Just tell me what I have to do.”

He leaned in, his next words making my stomach drop.

“Marry me.”

My body went still.

I must have misheard.

“What?” I whispered, blinking in disbelief.

“Marry me,” he repeated, his expression unreadable.

I let out a sharp, humorless laugh. “You’re joking.”

His smirk deepened. “I’m not.”

Fury shot through me as I pushed myself to my feet, slamming my palms on his desk. “What do you take me for? A desperate woman who’ll sell herself for a job?”

“I’m not asking you into my bed, Sarah,” he said smoothly, amusement flickering in his eyes. “Although… if that ever became an option, I wouldn’t complain.”

Heat rushed to my cheeks, but it wasn’t just from anger. A traitorous warmth spread through me, my body reacting to his words in ways I hated. I clenched my fists, willing the sensation away.

 I was fully aware of the rumors about how he used different women for his pleasure and then discarded them like yesterday’s news. I swore never to be one of them, no matter how handsome he was. 

“This is ridiculous,” I snapped. “Why would you even suggest something like this?”

“It’s simple,” he said, standing up and walking around the desk. “I need a wife. You need financial security. It’s a mutually beneficial arrangement.”

I backed up instinctively as he approached, my spine pressing against the wall. He stopped a foot away from me, his presence overwhelming.

“I’m not interested,” I said, my voice sharp.

He let out a low chuckle. “You sure?”

“I’m sure,” I bit out, turning toward the door.

His next words froze me in place.

“I know about Nora.”

My breath hitched. I turned back slowly, my chest rising and falling rapidly.

“How… do you know about my daughter?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

“I read your file,” he said simply. “It wasn’t hard to find out.”

I swallowed hard.

“When did you have her?” he mused, tilting his head. “I don’t recall seeing any signs of childbirth on you… Not that night.”

My stomach twisted. “That’s none of your business,” I shot back, feeling the heat rise in my cheeks. “And I don’t know what you’re talking about when you say we had ‘something that night’. I’m not interested in getting into your bed—now or ever.” 

He smirked again, his gaze dropping to my lips for a fraction of a second before returning to my eyes.

“Here’s the deal,” he said, slipping his hands into his pockets. “You walk away from this job with nothing, or… you become my wife, I take care of your daughter’s medical expenses, and you get triple your salary.”

The offer hung in the air, heavy and suffocating.

Two million dollars.

That was how much I needed for Nora’s treatment.

And I didn’t have it.

No matter how much I worked, how much I saved, I could never come up with that amount in time.

My hands trembled as I clutched my bag, my mind warring with itself.

“Come on, Sarah,” Adrian said, his voice lower now, almost coaxing. “I have a company to run. Time is ticking.”

I swallowed, my throat dry.

This was insane.

Absolutely insane.

But the alternative?

Losing my job. Watching Nora’s condition worsen.

I took a shaky breath, forcing myself to meet his gaze.

I hated him for putting me in this position.

I hated myself for considering it.

But most of all…

I hated that I already knew my answer.