Matt’s POV

Johnny rolled his eyes. “She’s not auditioning, Matt.”

I tried to backtrack. “I didn’t mean she..."

“Sofia’s the kind of woman who’s learned to stop expecting kindness,” he cut in. “There’s strength in that stillness. It’s rare.”

I kept staring at the photo. Something in her eyes held me, something tired but fierce.

I remembered Anna’s goodbye. No fight not even tears. Just a soft, cold voice, “I can’t do this anymore.”

And then she gave back the ring.

But Sofia… she didn’t look like she’d walk away from anything. She looked like the kind who stayed, even if it cost her.

“Where does she work?” I asked.

“Café,” Johnny replied. “Tutors kids too. Jennifer says she once walked five miles to get medicine on an empty stomach.”

I let that slide. Johnny added, “she doesn’t want attention, she wants survival.”

I tapped the screen again, bringing up her photo. She didn’t look broken.

“She’s not what I expected,” My voice firm.

“Maybe that’s why this might work,” Johnny said.

I nodded slowly. “Alright. Let’s meet her.”

He was startled. “You sure?”

“No. But I think the story starts right here.” We agreed to meet at a cafe Sofia chose at 10: 30 a.m.

I froze when a call came in from the hospital. “Your presence is needed at once,” the voice said.

I didn’t wait. I ran.

When I got to the hospital everything was in the fast lane as usual. Nurses moved quickly. Machines beeped. People talked in whispers. The world kept spinning even as mine was still.

I found Mum outside the CIU, arms crossed, staring into space. Her silence was louder than any alarm.

With a cracked voice, I said, "Mum?” She turned, her eyes were swollen from crying. “He… he…” my mother couldn’t finish her sentence. She just gestured toward the sliding doors.

Not trusting my voice, I nodded. “It’ll be fine,” I said, trying to console mum. I didn't believe a single word I spoke. Dad needs a miracle to be free from cancer at this stage.

My chest tightened every second we waited. When Dr Albert finally appeared, his face was unreadable.

“He’s stable. For now.”

That for now was a dagger. Not a promise just a pause in the storm.

Mum sighed in relief. I persuaded her to go home and get rest. She refused. We argued gently but she insisted I leave first. I did, reluctantly.

At home, I collapsed onto my bed like I’d been hit by a train. Dad’s condition, Mum’s eyes, Anna’s silence and then Sofia. All of it spinning.

"My gosh," I cried. I felt so ashamed of myself for considering Johnny's crazy option.

I was able to convince myself, Sofia was the last straw of hope in my world.

A knock broke my spiral. I didn’t lift my head.

“Come in.”

Mr. Andrew stepped in quietly. The butler-slash-guardian who had raised me as much as my parents did. Familiar frown with towel in hand.

“I didn’t call you,” I said.

“You didn’t have to,” he replied. “You nearly knocked me over earlier. Slammed the door and didn't even respond to Lily's greeting.”

I exhaled, "I couldn’t remember any of that."

“That’s not like you, Matt,” he said gently.

I rubbed my face. “I’m sorry.”

“You’ve been carrying too much,” he said. “We get it.” Before leaving, he added, “We’ll visit your father this weekend.”

“That means a lot,” I said.

But that night, sleep didn’t come.

I tossed and begged for stillness. Not miracles I’d stopped believing in those. Just a pause, I mean a breath.

Morning came too slow. I got dressed nothing flashy, nothing sloppy. Just... human.

At exactly 10:20 a.m., I arrived at the café, Sofia had chosen. It was small and quiet. The kind of place where secrets were safe.

Then I saw her. She sat at the far corner in the cafe. Her back straight and eyes distant.

She wore a faded pink polo on a plane jeans. And her sneakers had seen better days. Her long black hair spilled over one shoulder. She didn’t look like someone trying to impress. Just... someone surviving.

More real than the photo. More present than I expected.

“Hi,” I said.

She flinched. “Oh sorry, my mind wondered.”

“No worries,” I replied, and sat across from her. “Sofia?”

“Matt.” She called calmly.

We ordered coffee but none of us touched it.

We stared in silence, waiting for who to make the first move. Like we both knew this wasn’t small talk.

“Thanks for coming,” I finally said. “I know this isn’t... normal.”

Sofia gave a small nod. “Let’s not waste time.”

I respected that. “I’ll be blunt,” I said. “My father’s dying, in three weeks, maybe less. And his final wish is to see me married. I mean settled and happy.”

She said nothing, just listened.

“But Anna my ex walked out. I never told him.”

Still, she didn’t flinch.

“I can’t break his heart twice,” I continued. “So… I’m asking you to help me fake it. A relationship, marriage. All of it. Three months. A clean exit after.”

Sofia was startled and narrowed her eyes.

“In return, I’ll pay you. I’ll cover Leo’s treatment and more. Whatever you need.”

She didn’t speak.

“I’m not asking for love. Just… the performance of it.”

I noticed tears at the corner of her eyes.

I froze. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to...if this is too much... If you want to walk away I ...”

“No.” She looked up, eyes glassy, “I just didn’t expect it to feel this real.”

I slid her a napkin. “Sorry if you felt that but I’m not here to hurt you.”

“I need time to think.” She said calmly.

I nodded, wishing I had the luxury of it but I didn’t.”

We were two strangers in the fast lane, who were helpless and desperately needed solutions.

I hated my guts as I watched tears rolling down her cheeks freely. I thought of what people might say.

"Please, let's call it a day." I understand.

She exhaled deeply, "I'm sorry I couldn't control my emotions. I can't...I mean...