I turn, jaw clenched, as Adrian Cole—towering, smug, and entirely too persistent, steps beside me.
"What are you doing here?"
He smirks. "Wanted to see if you wanted takeout."
Liar.
Before I can call him out, Mom tilts her head, studying him. "And you are?"
Adrian extends a hand effortlessly, charm dialed to a hundred. "Adrian Cole, ma'am. A… friend of Mara's."
I nearly choke. Friend? Oh, please.
Mom shakes his hand, a polite smile forming. "A pleasure, Mr. Cole."
Sarah, meanwhile, is eating this up, barely suppressing her amusement. I shoot her a glare. She shrugs.
Mom turns back to me. "You didn't tell me you had such a charming friend."
"That's because we're not friends," I mutter.
Adrian places a hand over his heart. "That stings."
I roll my eyes. "What do you want, Adrian?"
His smirk fades slightly, something unreadable flickering in his gaze. "To check on you. You left rather suddenly."
Mom's brows furrow. "Did something happen?"
Before I can dodge, Adrian jumps in. "Just a business discussion."
Mom perks up. "Oh? What kind?"
I open my mouth—ready to lie—but Adrian beats me to it. Again.
"A partnership. Mutually beneficial."
My fingers twitch. I'm going to strangle him.
Mom hums thoughtfully. "Well, if it's worth considering—"
"It's not," I snap.
Adrian tilts his head. "Are you sure about that?"
His tone is casual, but I hear the weight behind it.
Because no, I'm not sure.
Heck, eighteen million dollars is a life changer.
Sarah, ever the investigator, suddenly narrows her eyes. "Wait. Cole? As in Jones Cole?"
Adrian nods, a flicker of pride in his smirk. "My father."
Sarah gasps. "No way! My mom is obsessed with him! I've been trying to recall where I knew you from, you seriously look just like him." She steps forward for a cheek-kiss greeting, practically vibrating with excitement.
I watch in disbelief. Traitor.
Adrian glances at me, smug. "Some people appreciate my presence."
I clench my fists. "Mom, let's get you inside. You must be exhausted."
Mom gives me a long look but doesn't push. "Alright, dear."
I turn to Adrian, voice low. "Goodbye, Adrian."
He leans in slightly, his voice silk-smooth. "Think about it, Mara."
I scowl as I pull Mom away, my heart hammering.
⸻
Mom is asleep, her breathing soft, but her frail form tugs something deep inside me.
I pull the blanket up, exhaling slowly. She used to be so strong.
Sarah is sprawled on the couch when I return, arms crossed. "Alright, spill."
I sigh. "Spill what?"
She snorts. "Oh, don't play dumb. What does Mr handsome want , and why does he look like he stepped out of a billionaire romance novel?"
I drop onto the couch. "It's a long story."
"Good. I love long stories."
I shoot her a glare. She grins.
With another sigh, I start from the beginning.
"He showed up at the gym today. Walked in like he owned the place. I thought he wanted personal training, but no—he had a proposal."
Sarah raises a brow. "What, like marriage?"
Silence.
Her eyes widen. Then she bursts out laughing.
"Oh my God," she wheezes. "You're telling me a billionaire just randomly decided he wants to marry you?"
I cross my arms. "It wasn't like that."
Sarah wipes a tear. "Sounds exactly like that. First gym creeps, now billionaires? Your body must be magnetic."
I shove her. "Shut up."
She grins. "Alright, alright. So what's the catch?"
I hesitate, then mutter, "He's offering me three hundred grand. Every month. For five years."
Sarah stops laughing.
Her mouth parts slightly. "You're joking."
I shake my head.
She sits up straighter. "That's eighteen million dollars, Mara."
"I know."
She studies me. "And you said no?"
I nod. "Sarah, I believe in love. I can't marry someone just for money."
Sarah scoffs. "Yeah, yeah. Soulmates, butterflies, all that crap. But Mara—this isn't just any money. It'll transform your entire life."
I rub my temples. "I know that. But I can't just—"
Sarah cuts me off. "Listen. You could clear your debts, pay your mom's hospital bills, actually live. You've always wanted to be a fashion designer, own your own gym—this gives you freedom."
I exhale slowly. "But—"
"But nothing," Sarah presses. "If you don't take this deal, how else do you plan to get financial freedom? A couple extra shifts at the gym?"
I hesitate.
She gives me a knowing look. "It's just five years. Then divorce. No harm, no foul."
I shake my head. "It's not that simple."
Sarah smirks. "Who knows? Maybe you'll actually fall in love."
I snort. "Yeah, no. He's an arrogant ass. There is no way I'm falling for him."
Sarah shrugs. "Stranger things have happened."
I glare. She grins.
"Just think about it," she says. "What do you really have to lose?"
I stay quiet. Because I don't have an answer to that.
Then—
A thud echoes from the guest room.
A choked sound.
"Mara!"
My stomach drops. That's my mom's voice.
Sarah and I bolt toward the room.
I throw the door open—and my breath catches.
Mom is on the floor.
Blood trickling from her nose.
Hands trembling.
Face pale.
"Mom!" I drop beside her, my heart hammering.
Her breathing is too shallow.
Sarah is already dialing emergency services.
"Hold on, Mom," I whisper, voice shaking. "Just hold on.
You'll be fine."
But deep down, I know.
She's running out of time.