Emma POV
I did not sleep that night. His words stayed in my head.
Marry me for ten months, or lose your sister.
I tossed on the hospital bed. My chest felt heavy. When I closed my eyes, I saw Sophia. When I opened them, I heard his voice.
By morning, I looked weak. My eyes were red, my lips dry, and I could hardly stand. Still, I forced myself up to see Sophia.
The steady beep of the machines greeted me. She looked small, lying there with tubes and wires. She was my only family.
I sat beside her and held her cold hand. I rubbed it, hoping my warmth would reach her. "Sophia," I whispered, "I hate him. But I cannot lose you. I promised to protect you. I promised you would not be alone. Now I do not know how to keep that promise."
Tears fell on her hand. She did not move.
I leaned close. "If I say yes, I will hate myself. If I say no, I lose you. What should I do?"
The machine answered with silence.
I stayed for hours. I did not eat. I did not rest.
By afternoon, Clara came with food. She hugged me. "You look weak, Emma. You need to eat."
"How can I eat when Sophia lies like this?" I said.
Clara sighed. "You must stay strong for her."
I hesitated, then spoke. "Clara, the man who paid the bill made me an offer."
Her eyes narrowed. "What offer?"
"If I do not marry him for ten months, he will remove Sophia's life support."
Clara gasped. "That is cruel."
Tears ran down my face. "He gave me two days to decide."
She gripped my hands. "Emma, he is dangerous. But this may be the only way. If you marry him, Sophia lives."
Her words cut me. "But I hate him. I cannot tie myself to him."
Clara's voice grew firm. "Do you want your sister alive or not? Sometimes we do not choose love. We choose survival. Ten months will pass, then you will be free."
Something in her eyes felt strange, but I pushed it aside. She was my friend.
That night, I whispered to Sophia again. "I will do this for you. Not for him. Only for you. Please live."
The tears did not stop. My chest burned. And inside, a voice warned me. This was only the beginning.
Ethan POV
I left her hospital room and walked down the hall. Her sobs stayed in my head. They pleased me. Weakness breaks when pressed. Watching Emma break was something I wanted again.
Outside, my car waited. Adrian leaned against it, arms folded, eyes sharp.
"What did you say to her?" he asked.
I smirked. "The truth."
He shook his head. "You're pushing too far. She's drowning. You're adding weight."
"Don't preach," I said, sliding into the back seat. He followed. "She owes me. I saved her. I paid bills she could never afford. Debt demands repayment."
"Repayment?" His voice rose. "You're forcing her into marriage. That isn't debt. That's—"
"That's control," I cut in. "Control is all that matters. Power is taken, not given. Emma proves I take what I want."
He stared like he didn't know me. "You talk like she's an object. A toy. Not a person."
I leaned back, loosening my tie. "People are weak. Toys have value. She will serve her purpose. My father wants me married before I take Ryder Company. Fine. He never asked for love."
Adrian's fists tightened. "Why her? You have women begging for you."
"Because Emma has nothing," I said. "No money, no protection, no family but her dying sister. She has no choice. That makes her the perfect wife."
Silence filled the car. Adrian's disapproval hung in the air. I enjoyed it.
He spoke at last. "One day this will fall on you. You think you win, but you build enemies."
I smiled. "Let them come. I never lose."
The car stopped at my house. I stepped out. Emma had two days to decide. She would cave. They always did.
Later that night, Bella called. Her voice was sharp with anger.
"I heard about the poor girl. Tell me it's false."
I poured a drink. "It's true. Not your concern."
Her voice cracked. "After us, you throw me aside for her? You think she replaces me?"
"She doesn't replace you. She is useful."
Bella went silent, then laughed bitterly. "Useful. That's all I ever was."
I did not answer. She was right.
When she hung up, I stood in the dark with my drink. I thought about Emma's face when I told her about Sophia. Her tears. Her shock. It was beautiful.
Weakness is easy to control.
She had two days. The choice was already made.