Ivy Bennett never imagined her life could collapse in a single week. One moment, she was struggling but at least she was standing. The next, it felt like the whole world was working overtime to crush her.
Her mother's health had deteriorated again that morning. When Ivy arrived at the hospital, the nurse avoided her eyes before delivering the news.
"Your mother needs a new round of medication and the bill is overdue."
As if Ivy didn't already know. As if the constant vibration of payment reminders on her phone wasn't enough to remind her of how close she was to losing everything.
"I just need a little time," Ivy whispered.
The nurse sighed sympathetically. "I'm sorry. But Mr. Cole's policies are very strict."
Ivy blinked. "Mr. Cole? Ethan Cole? What does he have to do with my mother's ward?"
The nurse looked almost surprised. "You don't know? AEO Group acquired the hospital months ago. Everything belongs to him now."
Ethan Cole. The cold-faced, unreadable billionaire she'd only ever seen from afar her company's CEO. Her boss. A man whose presence could silence a room.
The revelation left a knot in her stomach.
But the day was only beginning.
When she got to work twenty minutes early, as usual her access card flashed red. Denied. Confused, she hurried to her department. Her manager stood by her desk, packing her personal items into a box.
"What what are you doing?" Ivy stammered.
The manager didn't spare her a glance. "Orders from above. You're terminated effective immediately."
Ivy felt the blood drain from her face. "Terminated? For what? l,I just got a commendation last month!"
"For laziness and chronic underperformance," he replied sharply, almost as if rehearsed. "Security will escort you out."
"Chronic what?" Ivy almost choked. "Sir, you know I'm not lazy. You know"
"Take it up with HR," he snapped. "I only do what I'm told."
And just like that, two guards appeared.
She stared at her coworkers. Everyone avoided eye contact. No one spoke up for her. As if she suddenly didn't exist.
It was surreal.
It was humiliating.
It was wrong.
But the real blow landed later, when she reached home carrying her box of belongings only to find a notice taped to her door.
Property Purchased. Tenant Must Vacate Within 72 Hours.
New Owner: AEO Holdings.
Her heart stopped.
AEO. Again.
She was shaking as she ripped the paper from the door. This had to be a mistake. Had to be.
But she knew it wasn't.
It was too precise. Too orchestrated.
Too targeted.
Every part of her life her job, her home, even her mother's hospital bed was now under the shadow of Ethan Cole.
Why?
She'd never even spoken to him.
By evening, she sat alone in her tiny living room, the world closing in on her. She tried calling her aunt no answer. Her cousin? "Sorry, I'm busy." Her uncle? "You know things are hard these days."
Everyone had excuses. Everyone turned away.
And as her mother's condition worsened, the pressure built until she could barely breathe.
Why was this happening?
Why her?
She stayed awake all night, staring at the eviction notice. At the termination letter. At her mother's unpaid hospital bill.
By sunrise, she made a decision.
If the devil wanted to play games, she would walk straight into his office and demand answers.
She went to AEO headquarters. The building towered above her like a threat. The receptionist blinked in surprise when Ivy announced who she wanted to see.
"You want a personal meeting with Mr. Ethan Cole?" the woman repeated.
"Yes," Ivy said tightly. "Tell him it's urgent."
The receptionist hesitated. "He doesn't take unscheduled meetings."
"Tell him," Ivy insisted, "I won't leave until he sees me."
That seemed to catch someone's attention. Because minutes later, a tall man in a dark suit appeared and gestured for her to follow.
When she entered the CEO's office, the temperature seemed to drop.
Ethan Cole sat behind his desk, impossibly composed, wearing an expression carved from marble. He was godlike in appearance, broad shoulders, sharp jaw, cold silver eyes that pinned her in place like prey.
He looked up slowly. "Miss Bennett."
Her breath caught. He knew her name.
"Why?" she demanded, her voice trembling. "Why did you have me fired? Why did your company buy my home? Why does everything I rely on suddenly belong to you?"
He didn't flinch. "Because I needed your attention."
She froze.
He folded his hands. "And now I have it."
Her heart pounded wildly. "What kind of twisted game is this?"
"No game." His voice was low, smooth, dangerous. "I require a wife. Temporary. Contractual. Convenient."
Her stomach dropped. "A wife?"
"You fit the criteria," he said simply, as if discussing a business report.
"And you think destroying my life will make me say yes?"
His lips curled into a faint, cold smile. "I believe it improves my odds."
Ivy's hand clenched at her side. "You're insane."
"You're desperate," he countered calmly. "Aren't you?"
The words sliced deep.
"Your mother is still in the hospital," he continued, tapping a folder on his desk. "Her bills are overdue. Her condition could worsen quickly."
Ivy's jaw shook. "Don't you dare use my mother"
"It's a simple decision," Ethan said, leaning back. "Sign the contract. Your problems disappear."
She stared at the contract lying neatly in front of her. Black ink. Cold terms. A trap disguised as salvation.
She shoved it back toward him. "I will never sign this."
His expression didn't change. "Then this meeting is over."
And he dismissed her with a flick of his eyes like she was nothing.
Humiliated, burning with anger, Ivy stormed out of the office and all the way home. She collapsed onto her bed and cried until the room blurred.
Why her? Why force her? Why ruin everything?
She tried again to call her aunt.
No answer.
She tried her uncle.
Voicemail.
Her savings account mocked her with its pathetic balance. Her landlord texted her to "please leave peacefully." The hospital sent another reminder that her mother's treatment would be stopped by morning.
The walls felt like they were closing in.
She had run out of time.
Out of options.
Out of hope.
By midnight, her tears had dried into something heavier resignation.
She found herself standing outside AEO headquarters again, numb and trembling, as if someone else were controlling her body.
She took the elevator to the top floor.
Ethan Cole was still there, sitting alone in his office as if he never rested.
He glanced up, unsurprised. "Miss Bennett."
She swallowed hard, her voice barely a whisper. "I accept."
A smug, knowing glint appeared in his eyes.
He reached into his drawer and pulled out the contract like he had known she would return all along.
"This time," he said softly, almost mockingly, "try not to tremble while you sign."
Her fingers shook anyway as she picked up the pen.
And with one signature, she bound herself to the man who had engineered her downfall
and the billionaire who now owned her future.