Hannah’s pov

“Hannah, listen to yourself.” Jess was pacing my tiny living room, barefoot, her curls a wild halo that matched her energy. She looked like she might actually combust. “You’re marrying a stranger. A billionaire stranger who basically bought you.”

“He didn’t buy me.” My voice came out smaller than I meant. I sank deeper into the couch, clutching the mug she’d shoved into my hands just to have something to hold. “He’s paying for Lily’s surgery. That’s all. It’s… temporary.”

Jess stopped mid-step and stared at me like I’d grown a second head. “How is that better? Hannah, this isn’t a normal favor. This is insane. You don’t know this man. What if he’s dangerous? What if he’s…”

“He’s not.” I cut her off too fast, too defensive. “He’she’s cold, sure, but he’s not dangerous.”

Jess arched an eyebrow. “You met him twice. You’re betting your life on two conversations.”

I rubbed my temple. I hadn’t slept, and the caffeine was making my hands shake. “He’s already authorized the payment. For Lily’s surgery. The hospital called this morning. He did it before we’re even married.”

Jess froze, her expression flickering. “He did?”

I nodded.

“Okay,” she said slowly. “That’s… not the worst thing. But still. Marriage, Han. You’re signing legal papers that make you his wife.”

“Papers that say I can leave after a year,” I said, too quickly again. It sounded rehearsed, even to me.

“And you actually believe that’ll be that?”

I hesitated, thinking about Sebastian’s voice , calm, detached, clinical , when he’d said the contract would be “fair.” I’d believed him, even though I didn’t know why. “Yes. I do.”

“Why?” she demanded.

“Because…” I stared down at the coffee swirling in my mug. “Because if he wanted to trap me, he could’ve made it a lot easier. The contract doesn’t even have a penalty clause. It’s like… he doesn’t care if I stay.”

“Or,” Jess said sharply, “he’s so confident he doesn’t have to make you stay.”

That one landed like a punch. I didn’t have an answer

Jess sighed, grabbed her phone. “I’m calling my boss. He’ll look at the contract. Just,please, let someone who isn’t blinded by desperation read it.”

“Sebastian already offered to pay for an independent lawyer,” I said, weakly.

She gave me a look. “See? That’s either extremely generous or a brilliant manipulation tactic.”

Before I could reply, my phone buzzed.

Unknown number:

This is James Whitmore, Mr. Wolfe’s attorney. Attached is a list of independent contract attorneys as promised. Mr. Wolfe will cover all consultation fees. Please choose whichever attorney you’re most comfortable with.

I handed Jess the phone. “See? He meant it.”

Jess scanned it, lips pursed. “He’s either a saint or terrifyingly organized.”

“Both,” I muttered.

She sighed. “Han, you’ll be living with him. In his penthouse. Married. That’s not a small thing.”

“I’ll have my own room.”

“For how long?” Jess shot back. “What about dating? Or your life outside of him?”

I blinked. “I… haven’t thought about that.”

“Exactly,” she said, throwing her hands up. “You’re walking into this blind.”

My phone buzzed again. Sebastian.

Marriage license appointment. 10AM. Bring ID and birth certificate.

It felt like someone dumped a bucket of ice water over me. “I have to go.”

Jess grabbed my arm. “Hannah, wait,”

“I’ve already thought about it.” My voice cracked. “Jess, I don’t have another option.”

Jess’s anger melted into something sadder. “For Lily,” she said softly.

“For Lily,” I echoed. My throat ached. “She’s all I have.”

Jess squeezed my hands. “Just promise me you’ll remember,you matter too.”

The city clerk’s office was beige and fluorescent and nothing like the life-altering moment it held.

Sebastian was already there, sitting straight-backed in a navy suit, scrolling through his phone like he was waiting for a meeting to start, not a marriage.

“Hannah.” He stood, every movement controlled. “You’re on time.”

“Traffic was light.” My voice sounded too bright in comparison.

He gestured for me to sit. “We’ll be called soon.”

I sat, hands folded in my lap, pretending not to stare. He didn’t fidget. Didn’t slouch. Didn’t even blink much.

Did you sleep?” he asked suddenly.

“Barely. You?”

“I don’t sleep much.”

“Ever?”

He gave a faint shrug. “Four hours a night. Anything more feels wasteful.”

“Sleep isn’t wasteful.”

“Neither is being prepared.” His eyes flicked back to his phone. “Chen Industries is moving on a merger. Timing matters.”

I stared at him for a second, frustrated. “Do you ever stop working?”

He looked up. “Why would I?”

“Because people need breaks. Balance. Life.”

“Life,” he repeated, like the word was foreign. “You make it sound like a choice.”

Before I could respond, the clerk called our names.

The whole thing took maybe twenty minutes. Paperwork. IDs. Signatures.

When the clerk asked, “Are you both entering this of your own free will?” Sebastian answered without missing a beat.

“Yes.”

The clerk turned to me.

I thought of Lily , frail, hopeful, trusting me. I forced the words out through the knot in my throat.

“Yes.”

The clerk’s gaze lingered, like she knew there was more under the surface, but she just stamped the papers and smiled.

“You can marry tomorrow. Congratulations.”

Outside, the air felt too sharp, too bright. I clutched my copy of the license like it might burn me.

Sebastian slid his phone into his pocket. “Once we do this, there’s no going back. Not legally.”

“I know.”

“The ceremony will be at my penthouse tomorrow. Four o’clock. Private.”

“Your penthouse?”

“Unless you prefer something public?”

“No,” I said quickly. “Private is fine.”

He nodded once. “Bring what you need. Movers can handle the rest.”

“I don’t have anything worth moving,” I muttered. “Just… a few bags.”

“Then I’ll send a car. See you tomorrow.”

And just like that, he stepped into his car and drove off.No goodbye. No offer of a ride.

I watched his car disappear, then whispered under my breath, “Guess I’ll call an Uber.”

The hospital smelled like antiseptic and lemon cleaner. Lily was sitting up, laptop open, a half-eaten cup of Jell-O beside her. When she saw me, she smiled so wide it hurt.

“Han! You look exhausted.”

“I’m fine.” I lied.

“Did you talk to the doctor? What’s happening?”

“Your surgery’s Monday. It’s covered.”

Her eyes went huge. “What? How?”

I hesitated. “I met someone. And… we’re getting married.”

She blinked. Then laughed. “Right. Sure you are.”

“I’m serious.”

The laughter died instantly. “What?”

“His name is Sebastian Wolfe. He’s,”

“The son of that patient? The one who made you cry?”

I swallowed. “Yeah. But he’s not like his father.”

“Han.” Her voice dropped. “Please tell me you’re not marrying this guy so he’ll pay for my surgery.”

I forced a smile. “No. It’s… it’s complicated.”

She stared at me, eyes glassy. “Do you love him?”

My throat closed. “It’s not about love.”

“That’s not an answer.”

I couldn’t look at her. “You need this surgery. This is how I make sure you get it.”

Tears slid down her cheeks. “I don’t want your life ruined because of me.”

I brushed a tear from her face. “You’re my sister. You’re the only family I’ve got. I’d do it again in a heartbeat.”

She nodded, but her face said she didn’t believe me. “When’s the wedding?”

“Tomorrow.”

Her jaw dropped. “Tomorrow?!”

“Yeah.” I tried to smile. “Small, simple. Just a few people.”

“I’m coming.”

“Lily,”

“I am coming. Try to stop me.”

I sighed. “Fine. I’ll talk to Dr. Martinez.”

She smiled, watery but real. “I love you.”

“Love you too, trouble.”

My phone buzzed. Sebastian.

Wedding day tomorrow. 4 PM. Dress is arranged. Don’t be late.

I stared at the message until the words blurred.

the cold practicality of it, and wondered what I'd just agreed to.

Wondered if I was about to marry a man who would destroy me.

And realized with growing dread that it was too late to back out now.

Lily's surgery was scheduled. The money was authorized. The marriage license was filed.

In less than twenty four hours, I would be Mrs. Sebastian Wolfe.

And I had no idea if l'd just saved my sisters life or ruined my own.