Bound by His Blackmail

“Ms. Elena, your son needs surgery immediately.”

Elena’s heart stopped. She blinked at the doctor, words catching in her throat.

“What? Surgery? Oh My God,” her voice cracked. “Bu-t-t..h-he’s only four. And what—what do you mean immediately?”

The doctor sighed, sliding the medical file across the desk. “It’s his heart ma'am, his heart is failing. We’ve delayed as long as possible, but we can’t wait anymore. Without surgery… he might not survive the next crisis.”

Her knees trembled. “God. This surgery you are talking about is not a child's play and it will require much money?”

The doctor’s eyes softened. “Yes, Two million dollars.”

The world tilted. Elena gripped the edge of the desk, fighting for air. She earned less than two thousand a month as a secretary. Two million?

I–I, no, where will I get that amount from? Doctor, please is there any other thing we can do? Am sorry Mrs Adams, there is nothing I can do apart from that surgery, he replied as he arranged the files in his table.

No..No, her son, her little boy , hre angel with the brightest smile. I can't lose him, losing him isn't an option.

“Please…” her voice shook, with hot tears spilling. “Can’t you give me more time?”

The doctor’s silence was the cruelest answer.

*************************************************

By the time Elena dropped her son at school, her eyes were swollen from crying. She plastered on a smile so he wouldn’t see the storm tearing her apart inside.

“Be good, baby,” she whispered, kissing his forehead. “Mommy will fix everything.” She watched him as he went inside, then she left for her office.

When she finally stumbled into the sleek glass building of Knight Enterprises, she was already an hour late. Her heart sank the moment she stepped off the elevator.

“Look who finally decided to show up.”

The mocking voice hit her like a slap. Vanessa, second in command in Knight Enterprises Alexander's glamorous girlfriend, stood at the reception desk with arms folded, eyes blazing with disdain.

Elena swallowed hard. “I’m sorry, I had to take my son to the hospital—”

“Hospital?” Vanessa sneered. “Is that supposed to be my problem? You think the world stops because of your worthless brat?”

Elena flinched.

“You’re fired,” Vanessa snapped, heels clicking as she turned away. “Pack your things and get out.”

“No—please, I need this job!” Elena begged, tears rushing back. “I wasn’t lying. My son is sick, he needs—”

“I said, you’re done! Security, throw this thing out of my presence ” Vanessa’s voice echoed like a verdict.

Her world shattered. No job. No salary. No way to pay for her son’s surgery.

Immediately the security came rushing and throw her out.

By nightfall, Elena went out for one of her part time job in Bustman club house. She was standing in a dress too tight, too short, serving drinks. The bass pounded through her chest as she balanced a tray, her hands shaking.

She didn’t belong here, she doesnt want this, but anything for her baby. If she could make enough tips, maybe—just maybe—it would be a start.

“Careful, newbie,” another waitress hissed, brushing past her.

Elena nodded, focusing on the tray of expensive whiskey glasses.

The a group of boys surged and someone bumped her shoulder, and her tray fell.

“No—!”

The glasses crashed, whiskey spilling—right across the chest of a man in a sharp black suit.

Time froze.

Elena’s heart stopped as she looked up into his eyes like storms.

Alexander.

Her boss. The man she feared most.

Chapter two

The the chief waitress rushed forward, face twisted with fury. “Idiot! Do you know who this is?”

“I—I’m sorry—” Elena stammered, trembling.

"Sorry for you useless and worthless self", she barked, and before she could more a slap came so fast her head whipped to the side. The sting burned hot across her cheek. Gasps rippled through the crowd.

Tears blurred her vision as humiliation crushed her.

And when she dared to glance up, Alexander Knight wasn’t angry. His face was just unreadable.

“Useless girl!” Mrs. Carol, the club owner, screamed across the hall. Her voice was shrill, cutting through the music. “Do you know who you just embarrassed? Alexander Knight! You’ve ruined everything!”

“I—I’m sorry, please—” Elena’s voice broke as she fell to her knees, tears streaming down her cheeks. “I didn’t mean to—”

“Security!” Mrs. Carol shouted, pointing at her like trash. “Get this disgrace out of my club!”

Two large guards moved forward. Elena’s chest tightened. She dropped the tray, scrambled on her knees, and moved toward Alexander instead.

“Please!” she cried, clutching her hands together. “I just lost my job this morning—I can’t lose this too. This is my only hope. My son needs me, please, forgive me just this once!”

She crawled closer, shame burning her, but she didn’t care. She couldn’t care.

One of the guards shoved her back roughly. “Don’t you dare touch Mr. Knight!”

Elena’s body hit the floor hard. Gasps echoed. The humiliation was unbearable.

Alexander rose slowly from his seat. The crowd held its breath. His steps were lethal, as he walked toward her. He leaned down, his breath brushing her ear, his voice colder than ice.

“If you will be my mistress,” he whispered, “if you warm my bed and obey me… I’ll consider helping you. You’ll never suffer again.”

Elena’s head jerked up, her eyes wide with shock. “No!” her voice cracked. “Never! Don’t you have a fiancée? I will not be a kept woman.”

For a heartbeat, his eyes flickered, then he smirked, cruel and amused, as if her defiance entertained him.

He reached into his jacket, pulled out a sleek black card, and tossed it onto the floor in front of her.

“Anytime you need me, Miss… call.”

And with that, he turned and walked away, the crowd parting for him like he was untouchable.

Mrs. Carol’s voice snapped Elena back to reality. “Get out before you cause more chaos!”

Shaking, humiliated, Elena staggered out into the cold night.

Their apartment was tiny, but it was home. She tucked her little boy, Sam, into bed and tried to pretend everything was normal. She read his favorite bedtime story, forcing her voice to stay calm even as her heart cracked.

But halfway through, Sam started coughing, really hard.

“Baby?” she panicked, leaning over him. His small body shook, and as if it wasn’t enough, he started to vomit blood

“Sam!” Elena screamed, scooping him into her arms. His lips were pale, his eyes half-closed.

She ran into the night, hailing a cab with trembling hands, praying, begging heaven not to take him from her.

Hours later, she was pacing outside the operating room, every nerve in her body screaming. Her hands wouldn’t stop shaking.

Finally, the doors swung open. The doctor’s expression was grave.

“He’s stable for now,” he said carefully, “but the next attack will kill him. The surgery cannot wait more than two days.”

Her legs gave out. She clutched the wall, choking on sobs.

Two days. Only two days to save her son’s life.

She stumbled outside, blinded by tears. Her hand trembled as she dug into her bag, pulling out the black card Alexander had thrown at her.

Her reflection stared back from the glossy surface, his name and number. Her last hope.

Her thumb hovered over the phone screen, shaking violently.

Then, with tears running down her face, she pressed call.

Elena’s fingers shook as she was dialing the number.

It rang but no answer, she tried again, still no answer.

Her tears smeared her cheeks. “Please… please pick up…”

Finally she tried the forth time he picked then a deep, cold voice slid through the line. “Miss Elena.”

Her breath caught. “M-Mr. Knight… please, I–I need help. I’ll do anything, just… please. Is you offer still available?”

He didnt reply. Her heart pounded, terrified he’d hang up.

Then he calmly said, “Where are you?”

“The hospital… City General.”

“Stay there.” His tone was final. “My driver will come pick you up.”

“No, I can come to—”

"I said stay where you are." "His voice brooked no argument. “Don’t move until he arrives.” Immediately the line went dead.

Elena collapsed into the hospital bench, clutching her phone like her life depends on it.

Minutes later, sleek black headlights cut through the night outside the hospital entrance. A tall man in uniform stepped out.

“Miss Elena?”

She nodded weakly as she stood up and asked toward him.

“Mr. Knight sent me. This way.”

Elena’s body shook as she entered the back seat of the luxurious car. The leather smelled of wealth, of power that she could only dream of. Her hands clenched to her skirt, as the drove off.