2. A Difficult Decision

As the door opened, the aroma of mahogany wood and coffee greeted her. The room was spacious and modern, dominated by black and gray tones that imparted a sense of coldness and elegance simultaneously. Large glass walls showcased a glittering cityscape under the night lights.

Behind a large, neatly arranged desk, a man sat with a relaxed yet commanding demeanor.

Theo Filbert. Hazel had read about him—the youngest CEO in Filbert Corporation's history. A billionaire known for his ruthlessness. An ambitious figure unafraid to destroy anyone in his way.

The man's gray eyes were sharp, assessing Hazel as if she were an item under consideration for purchase.

"Please, sit," Theo said curtly, his tone leaving no room for refusal.

Hazel felt her legs suddenly grow heavy, but she forced herself to walk and obey Theo's command. With a pounding heart, she finally sat in the chair before him. Her back was tense, as if an invisible weight compelled her to remain upright. Her hands clenched tightly in her lap, striving to conceal the growing unease haunting her.

Theo sat with a confidence that made the room feel smaller. His gaze was piercing, stabbing directly into Hazel's eyes. He didn't speak for a moment, merely observing with an inscrutable expression. The ensuing silence was suffocating, making the air around seem like a heavy burden pressing on Hazel's chest.

"I'll get straight to the point," Theo finally said. His voice was deep, firm, and authoritative, nearly causing Hazel to jump from her seat.

She swallowed hard. The room's already oppressive atmosphere now felt even hotter. Hazel braced herself to hear whatever would come from Theo's mouth—perhaps a strange offer, maybe a threat, or even something unimaginable.

"I need a wife."

Hazel's heart seemed to stop for a moment. Her breath caught. What?

Her eyes widened, staring at Theo with an expression of undisguised shock. Any hope that this might be a bad joke vanished upon seeing Theo's face remain serious, without a hint of humor. He was utterly serious, Hazel thought in horror.

"Excuse me?" Hazel finally managed to speak, though her voice was small and trembling.

Theo leaned back in his chair casually, his fingers interlaced in front of his chest. "I don't have time for sentimental relationships. This is purely business. You need money; I need marital status. A win-win."

Hazel felt her body tremble. All of this was too absurd to digest in one night.

Theo narrowed his eyes, as if reading the doubt on Hazel's face. "The consideration is simple, Miss Gabriella. I pay all your mother's hospital bills. In return, you become my wife for a year."

For several seconds, Hazel couldn't say anything. Those words echoed in her mind, blurring both her logic and fear.

"So... what's your decision?" Theo added coldly, as if Hazel's answer was merely a formality that wouldn't change his decision.

Hazel knew her life might never be the same after this. But for her mother—for the only family she had—what else could she do?

Theo leaned back in his black leather chair that exuded an aura of power. His hands were folded across his chest, his gray gaze sharp and assessing. Every movement was controlled, like a ruler accustomed to holding full command over everything around him.

Hazel sat in the chair across the large desk, her body tense. Her back felt stiff, her hands clenched tightly in her lap, trying to suppress the anxiety gnawing away at her courage bit by bit. The faint aroma of mahogany and coffee filled the air, but Hazel was too preoccupied with her thoughts to notice.

"You need money to save your mother." Theo's voice broke the silence like a sharp, cold knife.

Hazel swallowed. She didn't deny the statement.

Theo continued without hesitation, "And I need a wife to maintain my company's reputation."

His strong hand reached for a document atop the desk, then placed it gently before Hazel. The white paper looked simple, but Hazel knew its contents were likely more complex than they appeared.

"This is a business marriage," he said flatly. "Nothing more, nothing less."

The word "marriage" echoed in Hazel's head, making her world shake violently. Marriage? This must be a joke.

Yet Theo's face remained unreadable—no sign of humor or compassion there.

"If you agree," Theo continued in a cold yet clear tone, "I will pay off all your debts, cover all your mother's medical expenses, and ensure you never lack money for the rest of your life."

Hazel was silent, her breath held. The offer sounded like a way out of the hell she was facing. But behind every sweet offer, there was surely something deadly hidden.

"But..." Theo leaned forward, his eyes growing darker, his voice low yet threatening. "In return, you will be my wife for a full year."

Hazel's heart pounded, hammering her chest with uncontrollable anxiety.

"One year?" she whispered hoarsely, almost in disbelief.

Theo smirked slightly, a smile offering no warmth whatsoever. "In public, we will be the perfect couple. Behind the scenes..." He leaned in closer, his tone turning more intense. "You just need to obey all my rules."

Hazel clenched her fingers tighter. They were cold and sweaty. Is this the price she had to pay to save her mother?

With a trembling voice, Hazel finally mustered the courage to ask, "What are the rules?"

Theo looked deep into her eyes, as if ensuring Hazel wouldn't forget the answer he was about to give. After a long, suffocating pause, he spoke in a relaxed yet dangerous tone.

"Number one—never fall in love with me."

Hazel was silent. Those words seeped into her mind like a poison slowly spreading. She wanted to laugh bitterly—how ridiculous that rule was. How could she possibly fall in love with a man like Theo? A cold, arrogant, and calculating man?

Yet deep down, Hazel knew human feelings often didn't adhere to rules.

Theo leaned on the desk, his body slightly forward. "Listen, Hazel," he said in a lower yet firm tone. "I won't force you. But this offer doesn't come twice. You know I can solve all your problems with just this signature."

Hazel closed her eyes briefly, trying to control herself. Her mother was everything to her—the only family she had left. Imagining losing that woman just because of money tore her heart apart.

With hands still trembling, Hazel looked at the document before her. A contract that could save her mother's life but destroy her own freedom.

She knew, once the pen's ink touched that paper, her life would never be the same. But for the person she loved most, did she dare say no?