"Miss Moore, get in."
Elara didn't move.
"I'm fine," she said quickly. "I can find my way…."
"Mr. Vale doesn't like to repeat himself."
It was like she didn't really have a choice.
But then…
Her mind flashed back to her house.
Packed boxes.
Her mother's tired face.
Maya arguing with strangers in their own house.
Three days.
No money.
No options.
She exhaled slowly… then opened the car door.
—
The ride was quiet.
She kept replaying the message in her head.
If you want to save your family…
Her fingers curled slightly.
Who even sent that?
And how did they know everything?
The car slowed.
Then stopped.
Elara blinked and looked up.
Vale Tower.
The building stood tall like it was the beauty of the entire city. Glass. Steel. Power.
Even from outside, it screamed money.
"Let's go," the driver said.
—
Elara clutched her bag tighter as she walked behind the man.
They stopped in front of a private elevator.
The man pressed a button.
The doors slid open.
Elara hesitated.
"After you."
She stepped in slowly.
The doors closed.
Her reflection stared back at her from the mirrored walls.
Simple clothes.
Tired eyes.
"What am I even doing here?" she whispered under her breath.
—
The office was… dreamy.
Elara's eyes scanned the room…
Then stopped.
He was standing by the window.
Back turned.
Even without seeing his face, you could tell.
This was someone used to being obeyed.
The man beside her spoke.
"Mr. Vale, she's here."
"Leave us." He said.
Elara's heart skipped.
Now it was just the two of them.
He looked at her.
Like he just… assessed her.
Like she was a problem he needed to solve.
"Elara Moore."
Her throat felt dry.
"Yes."
He walked closer.
"I like specific people," he said. "So I'll be specific."
Elara braced herself.
"I know about your situation."
Her stomach dropped.
Of course he did.
"Your family is being evicted," he continued. " And I can help you fix it," he added simply.
Her heart skipped.
Fix it?
"What do you mean, fix it?" she asked carefully.
Alexander stopped right in front of her.
Close enough for her to feel his presence.
"I can clear your debt," he said. "Secure your home. Make sure your family never faces eviction again."
Elara's breath caught.
It sounded too easy.
Which meant…
There was a catch.
Her eyes narrowed slightly. "And what do you want in return?"
His lips curved.
"Good," he said. "You're not naive."
He walked past her, picking up a document from the table.
"My father's will has a clause," he said. "To maintain full control of my company… I need to be married."
Elara blinked.
Wait.
What?
He turned back to her.
"I need a wife."
Her brain struggled to catch up.
"No public drama. No expectations. No complications," he added. "Just a temporary marriage arrangement."
"You want me to marry you?" she asked slowly.
"Yes."
Just like that.
Elara stared at him.
Trying to process it.
Trying to understand how her life had gone from eviction… to this.
But then… She suddenly remembered her last encounter with him
—
In a restaurant.
Weeks ago.
She had been working a short shift there, helping a friend.
And Alexander Vale was there.
Standing like he owned the place.
A woman stood in front of him.
Crying.
Begging.
"I didn't mean to make that mistake," she said. "Please, just give me another chance…"
Alexander didn't even blink.
"You signed the document," he said coldly. "You deal with the consequences."
"Please," she begged again. "I'll fix it…"
"You already failed," he cut in. "I don't repeat opportunities."
The woman froze.
He humiliated the woman badly and walked way like it was nothing.
—
Elara blinked.
Back to the present.
Now that man.
That exact man.
Was standing in front of her.
Offering her help.
Her fingers curled slightly.
"No."
The word came out before she could stop it.
Alexander's brows lifted slightly.
"No?" he repeated.
Elara shook her head, taking a step back.
"I can't do this."
"Can't? Or won't?"
She swallowed.
"Both."
Silence stretched between them.
"Explain," he said.
"You don't help people," she said quietly. "You control them."
"This is a transaction," he replied. "Not charity."
"Exactly," she said.
Their eyes locked.
"I don't want to owe you anything."
For a moment…
Neither of them spoke.
Then he nodded slowly.
"Fair enough."
"You're free to go," he added.
Elara blinked.
That was it?
She turned and walked toward the door.
Her heart felt heavy.
Because deep down…
She knew.
She had just walked away from her only solution.
—
The air outside felt different.
Reality hit her again immediately.
Three days.
No money.
No help.
But she kept walking.
Because what else could she do?
—
By the time she got home, things had gotten worse.
More boxes packed.
More tension.
"Where did you go?" Maya asked immediately.
"Out," Elara replied.
"That's not an answer."
Elara sighed. "I'm handling it."
Maya scoffed. "Handling what exactly?"
Elara didn't reply.
—
Later that night, when everything got quiet…
She sat alone with her phone in her hand.
Thinking.
There had to be something.
Someone.
Then…
A name popped into her head.
"Wait…"
An old friend.
Someone who once told her…
"If you ever need help, just call me."
Her heart lifted a little.
Finally,
She quickly dialed the number.
It rang.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
Then—
"Hello?"
"Hi… it's me. Elara."
A pause.
"Oh… Elara."
His voice sounded… off.
Tired.
"What's up?" he asked.
Her grip tightened on the phone.
"I need help," she said honestly. "I'm in a bad situation and…"
He sighed.
"Honestly… I wish I could help you," he said. "But I'm going through my own stuff right."
"Right now I'm broke ," he added. "Things are not good on my end."
"I'm sorry," he said.
Elara forced a small smile, even though he couldn't see it.
"It's fine."
It wasn't.
But what else could she say?
They hung up.
And just like that…
Her last option disappeared.
—
That night, sleep didn't come easy.
Her mind kept replaying everything.
The eviction.
The offer.
The rejection.
The reality.
And then…
Alexander's words echoed again.
I can help you fix it.
Her eyes opened slowly.
No matter how much she tried to deny it…
She knew the truth.
He was her only way out.
—
The next morning, as Elara stepped outside, trying to figure out her next move…
The same black car was waiting.
Same driver.
Same calm expression.
He stepped out.
"Miss Moore," he said. "Mr. Vale sent me again."
Elara froze.
"I told him no," she replied.
The man nodded.
"Yes."
He then opened the car door.
"But this time… he said you won't."