###chapter one

“Till death do us part”

" I echo the words and a rush of euphoria overtakes me and then I know, if

this doesn't work out the way it's meant to work out, I'll be in a very huge mess.

I stare at the face of one of the richest men in America and I can't help but think, is this all worth it?

Selling myself off to a man I barely know, even though he's a ruthless, handsome devil. As I

continue to look into his brown eyes, I see a dry smile play on his lips. Reminding me this is

nothing but a contract thing.

A contract wedding.

A deal with the devil. Nothing more than this is going to happen between us. It's just business and at the end of the

day, he gets to live the solitary life he wants with no other love or thought but for his company.

Satisfying his mom and himself while also getting rid of a minor disturbance in his life.

Talk about killing three birds with one stone.

But that is exactly what I want.

David Luther is one of the most ruthless businessmen in the world. Everyone who has stood

against him has silently disappeared. I don't blame him much. The apple didn't fall far from

the tree.

His father, Max Luthur, was worse when he was alive. I'd know this because I was a victim of his

schemes. My dad died because of Max Luther's greed, my family lost their wealth and fortune

because of him.

As I look at David's brown eyes, I can't help but smile. I will so badly ruin his life the way mine

was ruined.

He looks back at me, wondering why I'm smiling. I'm not supposed to enjoy this just

like he isn't enjoying it but I let a fraction of my hatred for him sip and he takes a step back.

Yes, get scared, darling. This is what you've put yourself into.

I look at the guests in the hall and I almost cry when I don't find Mom's face. I'd always wanted

her to have the front row at my wedding.

But she mustn't know about this, she'd disapprove. I have to make this count for her.

My mind slowly wanders to the conversation we last had.

The slow dripping sound of the IV drip continued, each drop reminding me of the slowly passing

girl on the bed, her body now pale white and her eyes closed.

Sitting in front of the bed, I can hear my mum whimpering, closing her mouth with her hands as

she tries to ignore the slow death that her child is undergoing.

"Mum? Please stop crying. I will get the money soon.

" I say, my voice breaking towards the end

of the statement, my mental health now sabotaged.

"I will work more jobs and I will take out

a loan or something. Please. Don't do this to yourself.

"But she pays me no mind as she continues to stare at the little girl on the bed. Not moving, not

eating, and I'm not even sure she's breathing.

It saddens me more seeing her this way because someone so full of life shouldn't be confined to

such sadness.

Ever since Dad's passing and we lost everything, Mom has tried to make sure everything

remained the same. While we cried our eyes out, thinking of the new life of poverty we were

thrust into, Mom stood strong and gave us that smile of hers that made it known that all was good.

Talk about being an anchor and a backbone. Even after we started getting used to it, Mom

made sure we didn't lack much, as best as she could.

Watching that same woman now sitting, helpless and without life grieves me. I turn my back

about to leave and go in search of money just as I've always done since my sister's sickness

started. My mother's voice stops me.

"They don't think she's going to last the month without proper treatment.

" Her hollow voice says.

"I tried to talk to the doctor to give us some more time but the more we delay it, the more she...

She tries saying but bursts into a bout of tears.

Gastric cancer. That is what my sister is suffering from. And every single second that we waste,

leads her closer to the grave.

Nobody knew how she got it, or which family's side she got it from. Probably Dad's.

I turn back to face my mom as I walk up to her and fall to her feet as I lose control of myself, the

tears falling uncontrollably.

"I know, Mom. And I'll work so hard and make sure that doesn't happen. You have to trust me,

Mom. I promise you she'll be fine. Judith survived.

"I know what I'm saying feels impossible and

sounds like a lie but I'm past caring. I just want my mom and sister back and I'm willing to do

anything and everything about it.

I lost my Dad, I'll be damned if I lost my sister too.

Mom finally takes her eyes off Judith and looks at me, her glassy eyes heavy with sadness.

"You've done more than your best, darling. And I don't want you feeling like you owe me.

" Her

warm palm touches my cheek.

I’m so proud of the woman you've become. Maybe...there might

be no more hope for your sister but there's still hope for you. Go live your life, my darling.

Don't say that, mom. This isn't because of any debt or anything. You are my family and I'll do

anything to make sure you're happy. Aren't I your daughter?

Fresh tears fall from her eyes as she nods.

Yes, you are, darling. And I love you so much.

I stand to my feet and hold out my hand to her.

"Let's go home, Mom. You need to eat.

" I say. She takes a look at Judith and shakes her head.

"But your sister, I can't lea—"

I interrupt her.

"Yes you will, mom. Cause she wouldn't want to wake up and see you this way.

No one's saying you can't come back. But right now, you need to eat something. It's been days.

I can't lose you both.

" That seems to do it as she looks back at me and holds my hand, standing

to her feet.

"Let's go home.

" She smiles at me.

I smile back as my mind begins to wonder how many more jobs I need to take to make all this

seem right.

No one's going to give me a loan anymore so I've got to do this myself.

Mom must have been speaking to me because she squeezed my hand gently and smiled when I

looked at her.

"Don't work yourself so hard, my love. We'll do this together. We won't lose your sister. We won't

lose Judith."

Of course, I'll do everything possible. Even if it means taking back what was rightfully stolen.