“I can't believe this,” my hands trembled as I looked down at the mail I held—an eviction notice and letter of rejection from the art gallery.

Just my luck.

Placing the slightly crumpled papers on the low table I shrunk into the sofa just opposite. I released a long weary sigh as I slowly closed my eyes.

I was just so tired.

Of everything, of just how pathetic my life was. I was not unfamiliar with poverty, it was always lurking around in my life; in every empty pantry, the dusty corners of the shelves, due electricity bills.

Could I not catch a break?

Not only was I to up and move out at immediate notice, but I was flat ass broke and my application to the latest art gallery in town was rejected.

That was my last thread of hope, to get a job and maybe make life a little easier but I couldn't even do that much.

I felt my vision blur with the tears that threatened to fall.

If I was thrown out of this apartment I was barely getting by in, what would I do? Where would I go?

I had no support or a savior in shining armor to swoop me away from all my problems.

I had no one.

Absolutely no one.

Well—There was Aunt Maria.

My eyes rolled over to my cell phone lounging beside me.

It was tempting.

But what was I supposed to tell her, what was I supposed to say? I had nothing, no job, no money…no home soon enough.

Where would I even begin?

My eyes hovered back to the eviction letter and its bold writing ups in thick bright red.

My heart sank.

“I mean…what was the worst that could happen?” I muttered as I grabbed my phone, placing it to rest on my lap.

I was already at rock bottom, a simple ‘there’s nothing I can do Sophia’ or ‘I can't help right now, dear’ wouldn't kill me.

And just with those thoughts, my phone flared up. With an arched brow and a small sense of hope I peeked at the screen and it was—

Aunt Maria!

God the timing…I picked up not a second later.

“Hello Aunt Maria,” I said, hiding the pain I felt for reasons I couldn't comprehend.

“Sophia darling, how are you?”

“I'm, I'm good Aunt Maria.” I bit my bottom lip. Why did I lie? I was far from good, I needed some kind of miracle and I needed it now.

“I called to check in on you darling, are you sure you're alright?” A brief silence fell between us as I opened my mouth to speak but no words came forth.

I was tired of always holding it in on all on my own. I was having a tough time and I wouldn't even mind if all I got was a listening ear.

“I'm not okay Aunt Maria,” my voice broke as the damn of tears came rushing down. “I, I got an eviction letter Aunt, I have to move out at immediate notice but I have nowhere to go and I don't know what to do…my application for the art gallery got rejected…”

“Breathe Sophia, breathe,” Aunt Maria instructed with worry.

I took a deep breath and continued in my pathetic bid of explaining myself.

“I have no money, Aunt. I don't know what to do and I'm tired. I just want it all to end.” I whimpered.

“Oh dear—I didn't know you were going through all this alone child.”

I kept silent.

I didn't know what else to say.

“Tell you what Sophia, there's this ‘thing’ and that's the real purpose of my call.”

“‘Thing’?”

“Yes, darling, a meeting with the Enoch Stelwart.”

“Never heard of him, Aunt.”

“Not to matter child, all you need to know is that he’s rich and influential and this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. An opportunity that can change your situation a whole 360 degrees.”

“You mean it Aunt?” My hand flew to my mouth. “Just by meeting with this Enoch… Steelwater?"

“‘Stelwart’ darling and you must keep in mind that this is of the highest discretion. Get ready, put on something nice and some makeup, I'll come fetch you.”

I was a bit skeptical but if there was even a single opportunity to make my life even a little better, I'd be taking it.

…

It was funny how life worked, one minute you're in tears about some due rent then you're just being offered a $ 500,000 marriage contract.

“Eh?” I uttered in disbelief as my eyes kept moving from the contract to the face of the most breathtaking man I had ever seen.

“Do you still not understand the terms?” He spoke in a husky voice that just demanded command. “This is a one year ‘marriage of convenience’ contract for the sum of 500,000 dollars with the conditions stated clearly; no emotional attachment, no interference, and absolute discretion.”

The walls of his study seemed to cave in as my mind reeled, was any of this actually real? I just read stuff like this in books—did people just hand out marriage contracts worth thousands of dollars?

“Sophia, sweetheart,” my Aunt's back drew me back to what was happening in the room. A waiting Enoch stayed still glaring at me to make a decision and suddenly everything was in slow motion.

Did I really want to do this?

Get married to a random stranger for money?

Well, 500,000 dollars was a lot of money. I gulped.

Picking up the pen, I shakily signed my signature in black ink on the contract.

It was sealed.

…

“I can't believe that just happened, Aunt Maria.” I said as we slowly walked out of his stunning Pent house.

“You made the best decision Sophia.” She chimed. I still couldn't believe all this just happened…it felt surreal. Getting married to a handsome, mysterious billionaire with those sorts of conditions.

“Will you be able to get home okay darling?” She mused as a cab pulled over.

“You've done more than enough Aunt, I'll be fine on my own. Go home and rest." I bid her farewell as I watched the cab drive away.

“I should be getting some rest myself.” I started walking down the street still engruded in my thoughts when I noticed something from the corner of my eye.

“Hm?”

A sleek black car I noticed on our way in which was parked at the far end of the street was suddenly—

Following me?