Chapter 2

          “Miss Kate, your mom can’t keep relying on these drugs forever,” Dr. James said, his tone serious. “She will eventually need to undergo surgery.”Kate felt her heart plummet. “So, without the surgery… she can’t live. Is that what you’re saying?”Precisely,” Dr. James replied. “She can survive without it for now, but she won’t remember most things. The drugs are keeping the tumor at bay, but it’s extremely dangerous. The tumor is eating deeper into her hindbrain, and within weeks, she’ll start experiencing memory loss.

Based on the recent scan, she’s due for another one soon.”As the doctor spoke, his words blurred together. Kate broke down, tears streaming down her face, her body shaking with silent sobs.“Miss Kate, there’s no need to cry,” Dr. James tried to console her. “If we perform the surgery soon, she has a chance.”But where am I supposed to get the money for her surgery?” Kate choked out. “I just lost my job. I can’t lose her too…”The doctor’s face softened as realization dawned on him. “I’m sorry to hear that. Try reaching out to other family members for help. I’m sure some are willing to assist. I’ll leave you for a few minutes to gather yourself. I have another patient to see.”Tears continued to flow as Kate sat there, feeling utterly lost. 

She overheard a conversation a few feet away. She couldn’t see the man speaking, only his back, but his voice was clear and sharp.“I said I need a contract wife, not a gold digger,” the man said, his tone calm but firm. “There will be a signed agreement. Both parties will benefit.”Kate’s breath caught. A contract wife? 

The idea was crazy, but in her desperate state, it felt like a lifeline. She shook her head, trying to cast out the thought. This wasn’t how she was raised. She shouldn’t even be considering it. But the idea wouldn’t free her mind. She took a profound sign, wiped her eyes, and gathered herself before entering her mother’s room. Her mother’s feeble voice greeted her.

“Kate, how are you?” she asked calmly.

“I’m fine, Mom. Just a little tired,” Kate replied, forcing a smile. “I wanted to check on you, and I got your medications. Onyx said you were running low.” Oh, thank you, Kate… Where’s your dad?” her mom asked, her eyes searching. Kate’s heart shattered. “Dad… Mom, Dad died five years ago,” she whispered, her voice breaking as tears welled up again.“Dead?” her mom repeated, her voice trembling. “When? How? Why didn’t he say goodbye?

”Kate couldn’t take it anymore. She broke down in sobs, and Onyx, the caregiver, gently intervened. “Leave her be for now, Kate. She’s been like this for the past few days… sometimes, she even calls me by your name.”Kate nodded, wiping her tears, but her mind kept drifting back to the man’s words. 

A Contract wife. Maybe, just maybe that's her way out of this nightmare.

Did you get the drugs? Onyx asked

“Yeah, I got the drugs,” Kate whispers, her voice heavy and worn out. “I think I’m going to head back now. I need to clear my head… all of this is just too much.”

“I understand, Kate. Call me if you need anything,” Onyx said quietly.

Kate nodded, then stood up and took one last look at her mother. The woman lying there was not the same person who had raised her; she was incapacitated, lost in the fog of her illness. Swallowing the lump in her throat, Kate left the room and hastily left the hospital.

She walked home quickly, to apply for some jobs and make ends meet. When she got home, she microwaved the leftover sandwich from the day before and settled on the couch with her laptop. She explored job boards, applying to any opening that offered a manageable wage—mostly waitress jobs or low-paying gigs that felt like a blow to her pride but those were her only options.

As she was about to sleep off, her phone rang. She stared at the screen and noticed it was Jasmine.

“Hey, Kate. I wanted to call earlier but got caught up with work. How are you holding up?” Jasmine interrogated, her voice filled with anxiety.

“I’m trying,” Kate exhaled. “I applied for a few waitress jobs. Just eagerly waiting for their response. I’m drained.”

“You know you can count on me, right? You can give me a call if you need anything.”

“Thanks, Jasmine. I appreciate it,” Kate responded, her voice lifeless. She ended the call before Jasmine could say another word. 

Lying helpless on her bed, while staring at the ceiling, she couldn’t get rid of the memory of the discussion she overheard at the hospital. 

A contract wife. If only she was confident enough to approach that man... She closed her eyes, dozing off restlessly. Leaning back in his chair, Sebastian stared at Jay, who had a huge smile on his face.

“Seb, I'm stunned you’re asking for my help. Mr. Always-in-Control needs my little help. What an honor,” Jay said, his smile turning into a mocking smirk.

“Cut the crap. I’m serious. Where the hell am I supposed to find a contract wife?” Sebastian shot back, his patience wearing thin.

“You were serious about that?” Jay asked, eyebrows shooting up. “I thought you were just messing with me.”

“Have you ever seen me make jokes like this?”

“Okay, okay, no need to get all worked up. Look, your girl could be anywhere. You just have to look,” Jay said, his expression turning serious for once. Sebastian scoffed, and his mind fell back to the girl he’d seen at the hospital. She had a miserable look in her eyes, but the coffee stain on her blouse made him wrinkle his nose in distaste.

“Wow, you look like you just smelled something unpleasant,” Jay commented, watching Sebastian’s face deform.

“You know what? I’ll figure it out myself. Thanks for wasting my time,” Sebastian muttered, standing up to leave the bar.

The next morning, Kate opened her eyes lazily, the weight of her plight pressing down on her chest like a heavy stone. She lay there for a moment, staring vaguely at the ceiling, before pulling herself to get up. She grabbed her Cell phone off the bedside table and saw a new message. One of the cafes she’d applied to had responded. They would like her to come in for an interview to know if she is the right fit for the job. She sat facing the mirror as she stared at her reflection, a little smile ran through her face.

 At least she might be getting paid—something to keep her going until she found a proper job. She hurried into the bathroom, took a quick shower, and slipped into a plain satin blouse. This time, she left her hair down, letting it cascade over her shoulders. She wanted to feel a little more like herself, even if things were falling apart.

When she arrived at the restaurant for the interview, her hope gradually declined. The manager scanned her resume with a frown, his expression turning from unconcerned to dissatisfaction. “I’m sorry, Miss, but your experience doesn’t quite match our requirements,” he said gracefully. Kate’s shoulders sank as she nodded and left.

As she stepped out into the busy street, she caught sight of the Willows logo towering above her—California’s most respected marketing company. Her heart grips at the sight. She had always dreamed of working there, building a worthwhile career. But if she couldn’t even secure a job at a small restaurant, what hope did she have of ever making it to Willows? She stared at the building for a long moment, a sting of desire and frustration hitting her like a wave. She gasped, Then turned and headed to the hospital. She went to the hospital cafeteria and sank into a chair in the corner because it wasn't time for visits. Tears uncontrollably streamed down her cheeks; she was immersed in thought for no obvious reason. The dining area was crowded.

Most people paid no attention to her, nurses, doctors, and visitors rushing around. Crying was a common sight here. Still, she felt utterly exposed, her grief on display for the world to see. Sebastian observed her from across the room, the girl who had uncontrollably been occupying his thoughts. There she was again, sitting alone and weeping in public, her face buried in her hands.

Without thinking, he found himself approaching her. He pulled out the chair right next to her and sat down. Kate felt his presence before she saw him, the weight of someone’s gaze piercing through her misery. She quickly cleaned her tears and carried her phone, trying to cover her embarrassment with a false sense of distraction.

“Why are you crying?” he asked in a cool voice but curious. “And if you must cry, why would you choose a public place to draw attention?