FOUR

Elvira

As I stare at the check, disbelief floods my face. "So, you're telling me that you'll pay me... whatever amount I put on this check? For what?" I question, my voice filled with confusion.

"For bearing my child, of course," Demetrius responds casually, as if it's the most natural thing in the world. "You'll be taken care of, in every way possible. It's a promise. You'll receive half of the reward now, and once the child is born, you'll get the remaining amount."

My head spins, and I struggle to comprehend the insanity of the situation. Why on earth is Demetrius proposing this?

"Why?" I ask again, hoping for a clear answer.

Demetrius takes a deep breath, pinching the skin between his brows. "Can't you understand what I just explained?" he exclaims in frustration.

"Hold on, Elvira," Hendrix says, catching my attention. "Do you want to know something else that's just as crazy?"

"Yes," I admit, feeling a heaviness settle in my heart. This whole ordeal feels like a surreal dream, one I wouldn't mind waking up from.

"Shut the fuck up, Hendrix!" Demetrius bellows, his eyes ablaze with anger. Hendrix looks visibly shaken and immediately falls silent.

"Never...never mind, Elvira," Hendrix stutters, backing down.

I'm too stunned to speak, unable to grasp the fact that Demetrius, the fearless lawyer, could be intimidated by anyone. Although, considering Demetrius's overpowering presence, I can't say I'm entirely surprised.

"Now, what is your final decision?" Demetrius asks, directing his gaze towards me.

"I...I don't know," I stammer, hanging my head low and shaking it in disbelief.

"Two days," Demetrius declares, pulling a card from his pocket. "You have two days to make up your mind. Here's my card." He places the card in front of me.

I take a fleeting glance at the card before tucking it into my purse. Standing up from my seat, I gather my courage and begin speaking. "Well...I'm sorry, but...I'm afraid I can't accept your request. I've come to the realization that you're a deranged psychopath. I'm sorry, but I won't be your Harley Quinn." With those final words, I clutch my purse tightly and storm out of the office, frustration and anger pulsing through my veins.

As I make my way out, Demetrius watches me with a raised eyebrow, a mischevious smirk dancing on his lips. "Savage," I hear Hendrix chuckle before I leave the room. Demetrius remains unfazed, confident that I will come back.

"Fucking psychopath!" I curse under my breath as I hastily flag down a cab. The driver nods as I give him the instructions to take me to Carrington Avenue. I sink into the backseat, my mind swirling with a mix of emotions.

During the ride home, I can't help but unleash my thoughts in a soliloquy. "What a lunatic! How ridiculous!" The words spill out almost involuntarily, a way to release my pent-up frustration and confusion.

The cab driver glances at me through the rearview mirror, concern evident in his eyes. "Any problem, ma'am?" he asks gently.

I offer him a brief smile and shake my head. "No, no problem," I respond, trying to reassure him. "Just dealing with the audacity of someone who believes I would enter into a contract marriage with him."

After a few minutes, the cab pulls up in front of my house. Lost in my thoughts and anger, I step out of the car without even realizing that I hadn't paid the driver yet.

"Ma'am!" the driver calls out, jolting me out of my reverie. "You forgot to pay!"

I'm brought back to the present by the driver's voice, realizing my mistake. I quickly turn around to apologize and pay the driver before heading towards my house. It's a grand mansion that used to represent our family's success, but after my father's death, our business crumbled, leaving us on the brink of bankruptcy.

As I step foot into the house, I'm met with the wails and sobs of the few maids that remain. Confusion furrows my brow, and I hurry inside. "What is going on here?" I ask, but the maids only respond with more cries.

"Mummy? Andrew?" I call out as I dart up the stairs, desperately searching for my mother and my only brother.

The head maid follows me, her voice shaking. "Miss, I... I have to tell you something..."

"What is it? Please, what is it?" I plead, stopping in my tracks and facing the maid.

"Your... your brother fell down today and passed out. It seems he's in critical condition," the maid explains, her voice quivering as she tries to hold back tears.

The weight of those words hits me like a ton of bricks, and I collapse to the ground, wailing loudly. The enormity of everything that has happened in just a matter of hours crashes down on me, leaving me broken and confused. The other maids, hearing my cries, gather around me, offering what comfort they can.

"Where are they now?" I manage to ask through my tears.

"They're at the teaching hospital, Miss," the head maid replies softly.

I quickly gather myself, grabbing my bag from where I had thrown it, and dart out of the house with unimaginable speed. Hailing a taxi, my heart heavy with worry, I rush inside.

As we arrive at the hospital, I pay the driver and rush out of the cab,

"I need to know if a boy, about eighteen years old, was admitted here," I say, approaching the receptionist.

"Yes, ma'am," the receptionist responds. "May I ask if you are a family member?"

"Yes, I'm his sister," I reply hurriedly.

"That way," the receptionist says, pointing to a corner of the lobby.

"Thank you," I mutter, my voice shaky, as I hurry over to the corner.

As I round the corner, I'm greeted by the sight of my mother, who is crying uncontrollably.

"Elvira!" my mother sobs, her voice breaking as she struggles to speak. "It's... it's your brother..."

"I know, Mommy," I sniffle, trying desperately not to break down in front of her.

"The... the doctors said he's in a critical condition and needs to undergo immediate surgery. Without the operation, he only has six hours to live," my mother explains, crying even harder.

"Then let's start the operation!" I exclaim.

"They said they need five million dollars for the surgery!" my mother cries, her voice filled with despair.

"Five million dollars?" I repeat, feeling a wave of dizziness wash over me.

The reality hits me like a ton of bricks. I don't even have a hundred dollars in my account, and here we are discussing five million dollars!