BILLIONAIRE'S FAKE BRIDE

LEAH.

As I walked through Memorial Hospital, my steps got heavier and heavier, like carrying all the sadness in my heart. Billy’s room was at the end of the hallway, but every time I got closer, it felt like the hallway got longer. It seemed like miles between me and him, even though I could see the white door I knew so well. My hands trembled, but I clutched the bag I was holding tightly, as if I could, by simple pressure, change destiny.

Our family's dream of a simple and happy life fell apart, and each piece broke my heart. Billy, my younger brother, was only ten years old. He was a lively kid with shiny eyes and a smile that could light up the gloomiest day. Now, lying in a hospital bed, he was a shadow of his happy self. The doctor said he needed a kidney transplant to live, but that’s not just a health crisis, it’s a huge money problem too.

I suddenly realized it wasn’t just a ton of money, but money I couldn’t possibly raise. I realized that all our savings were not enough and that I would have to find a quick solution, but I did not know where to start.

I thought I was all ready to go when I got to Dr. Smith’s office, but man, it was so formal inside that I felt like I was gonna disappear. The office was a mess, with papers everywhere, and the doctor looked tired and distant. I took a deep breath and stepped inside, trying to hide the tremor in my voice.

“Dr. Smith,” I said, trying to control my tone. “I need to talk to you about Billy’s surgery.”

He looked up, giving me a curious but distant look.

“Good afternoon, Miss Leah. I’m listening.”

I gulped and started talking, trying to make sense of my thoughts.

“I know the kidney transplant surgery is absolutely necessary for Billy and that the cost is colossal. I am willing to do whatever it takes to raise the money. I want to know if it’s possible to schedule the operation now and pay for it later as soon as possible.”

Dr. Smith furrowed his brow and left the folder on the desk as he fixed his gaze on me.

“Miss Leah, I understand that this is an extremely difficult situation and that you want to do everything you can for your brother. However, you should know hospital policy does not allow such arrangements.”

“But, Dr. Smith,” I insisted, “I understand that hospital policy is rigid, but Billy has no time to wait. I can’t accept that we can’t find a way to save his life. Please, if there is a way, let me know.”

The doctor sighed and got up from the desk, pacing the room lightly. “Miss Leah, let’s be realistic. Even if you could raise the money in the shortest amount of time, keep in mind that the hospital has strict rules that don’t allow surgery until the costs are paid in full. It’s a matter of policy and financial responsibility.”

I was so mad and hopeless that I could feel my body heating up.

“But it’s not just about the money! It’s about Billy’s life. What if I could find a way to get the money to him sooner than you expect? There’s no guarantee I’ll succeed, but I need a chance. I beg you.”

“Miss,” Dr. Smith said, turning to me with a grave air, “this isn’t about lack of compassion. It’s about hospital bylaws and the policies enforced by the owner and investor, Mr. David Williams. The rules are the same for everyone and I can’t make exceptions, no matter what. I am so sorry. "

I didn’t really get what Dr. Smith was saying. I was freaking out, my heart was racing.

“I know the rules are strict, but... is there any way I can talk to Mr. David Williams? Maybe he could make an exception in my case, given the exceptional circumstances.”

Dr. Smith shrugged with a helpless expression.

“David Williams is extremely strict on hospital policy. I can’t guarantee he’d make an exception, and I’m not sure he’d be open to discussion on the matter.”

I got so frustrated, and tears were about to come out.

“Please, do the best you can. I just want you to know that I will do everything in my power. I can’t accept doing nothing and losing Billy.”

Dr. Smith understood, but held back professionally.

“I understand your desperation, Miss Leah, but we can’t make exceptions in individual cases. All I can do is give you the information you need and direct you to the resources available.”

My strength gave out, and I dropped my head, trying to catch my breath.

“Believe me, Dr. Smith, I’m willing to do anything to raise the money. I’ve already started asking for help, selling valuables and fundraising. I will not let a moment pass without seeking solutions.”

“I know you’re doing everything possible,” he said. “But you realize that despite your best efforts, hospital rules are very strict. I suggest you continue to explore all possible fundraising options and speak with our financial counselors who can assist you.”

I left the office feeling so tired, and my mind was all over the place. I had no other choice, but I was determined to keep fighting.

I walked closer to Billy’s ward, and I saw my best friend standing there with a frightened look on her face.

My heart was racing like crazy, urging me forward. The hospital corridors were so intense, with the white walls and harsh lighting making every negative thought worse. I was drowning in worry and despair. When I saw Corrine across the hall, I was about to lose it with all the stress and fear building up inside me.

I ran to her, only focused on getting rid of my fear and despair. When I leaped into her arms, I felt so relieved, but also emotional. Corrine jumped and hugged me tightly, looking confused.

“Leah, what’s wrong?” she asked. “Is Billy okay?”

I already had my cheeks soaked with tears.

“No, Corrine,” I said. “Billy needs a kidney transplant urgently. We found a donor match, but... but we don’t have the money for the surgery.”

Corrine backed off a bit and started studying my face with concern.

“What do you mean by that? You mean you can’t do the operation without money? Is there any solution? Maybe you could get a loan or something.”

I let out a big sigh, completely drained from everything.

“I’ve tried to get a loan. I’ve contacted banks, but the requirements are impossible. Besides, my current job is not helping me. I tried fundraising campaigns, but I couldn’t raise enough money on time. Time is of the essence, and Billy can’t wait.”

Corrine sat down in a chair at the front of the ward, and I sat down next to her.

“Let’s analyze the situation step by step. Maybe we haven’t explored all the options. Have you checked with any charities or foundations that might be able to provide help in an emergency?”

“I have,” I replied, feeling overwhelmed again. “But most organizations take time to process applications, and Billy doesn’t have time. I need a quick solution, but it all seems so complicated.”

Corrine ran her fingers through her hair, lost in thought.

“We should totally reach out to a financial counselor to help us make sense of all this. Maybe there are ways to speed up the process or find solutions we haven’t considered before.”

“I’ve contacted a few counselors,” I said in frustration. “But none of them could find an immediate solution. I feel completely lost and helpless.”

The courage in Corrine’s eyes surprised me when she looked at me.

“Leah, we can’t let this stop us. There’s no time to complain. We must act immediately. Have faith, we will find a solution. We’ll talk to counselors and see if we can find a loan or some other help.”

Her positivity was contagious, so I started seeing things in a better light.

“Do you think we can organize another fundraising event, something big? Maybe it might attract more donors.”

“Absolutely,” Corrine said confidently. “We can contact influential people in the community. We can use social media to spread the word. The more people connected to the cause, the better the chances of raising the money we need.”

I started feeling a little better, as despair and hope blended together.

“But what if, despite our best efforts, we don’t raise the money in time? Billy can’t wait.”

“ I’ll help you!” a man’s voice came from behind us.

That was when I saw him for the first time.

I had this feeling that I had just come across a character from a classic book, someone with a cool vibe and a classy style. He was a man who had this mysterious appeal, yet he kept his guard up.

He looked so sharp in his dark blue suit, like he was in complete control.

The jacket fit like a glove, with sharp shoulders and seamless lines, and the pants were the perfect length for a flawless look. The suit was so well tailored that it seemed as if no one else could have worn it without looking out of place.

His face was classic, but had a cool vibe. The features were on point: a sharp jawline, slightly enhanced cheekbones, and a firm chin. His eyes, a dark green, were deep and intense, but also kind of distant. They were never too gentle, never too warm - and seemed to pass through you, but revealing nothing about himself.

His hair was all done up, but it just made it clear he was keeping his distance. It was kinda short, but not too short, and had a nice shine, like he never stressed about it. He had clearly thought out every aspect of his appearance, down to the last detail.

That was David Williams. The man I dreaded!

LEAH.

In my brother’s hospital ward, the atmosphere was overwhelming. Billy lay on the bed, vulnerable, and I was clinging to any glimmer of hope to save his life. When David Williams appeared, everything seemed to brighten for a moment. At first, I was grateful for his offer of financial help for Billy’s surgery. But as the details came out, my feelings changed completely.

David approached me with the confidence of a man used to being in control. Dressed impeccably, with a wicked smile on his lips, he looked like he was starring in a movie in which he owned all the leads.

“Miss Mills,” he began with an air of superiority, “Billy looks better than I expected. Doctors do amazing things, don’t they?”

“Yes, they do the best they can,” I replied, trying to keep my composure. I knew the moment was coming when he would reveal his true intentions. After all, he was David Williams, wicked and ruthless.

“So, let’s cut to the chase,” he said, approaching Billy’s bed and looking at him as a simple business deal. “I’m willing to cover all the costs of Billy’s surgery. In return, we have to get married.”

I felt anger rising in my cheeks. How could he afford to treat me like that?

“What, are you serious?” I asked.

“Dead serious,” he replied with a smile that gave me chills. “It’s a fair deal. You get the money for the surgery, I get a beautiful wife. Everybody wins.”

“You think you can buy everything, don’t you?” I said, trying to maintain my dignity. “You think my life and my virtue are for sale?”

“Leah, baby, let’s be realistic,” he said, raising an eyebrow in an almost amused manner. “The world works on transactions. I have the money, you need the money. What’s so hard to understand?”

“I’m not an object, Mr Williams. You can’t treat me like a commodity,” I replied. “That’s despicable.”

He laughed lightly, as if amused by my reaction.

“Despicable? No, Leah, despicable is letting your brother die when you have a solution in front of you. Despicable is to refuse my help out of foolish pride.”

His every word was like a punch in the gut. It wasn’t just pride. It was my integrity, my dignity.

“I can’t believe you’re willing to use Billy’s suffering to get what you want.”

“Let’s be honest, Leah,” he continued, crossing his arms. “I will not sit here and debate the morality of my actions with you. I’m offering you a solution. You decide whether you want to accept it.”

I felt my eyes fill with tears. It was a desperate situation, and deep down, I knew I didn’t have many options. But the idea of marrying a man like David Williams, of tying my life to someone so manipulative and unscrupulous, was unbearable.

“I thought you were a better man, Mr Williams,” I said, almost whispering. “But now I see the real you.”

“Don’t delude yourself, Leah,” he replied, his tone suddenly serious. “The world isn’t a nice place, and people aren’t always nice either. You have a choice. Either accept my offer or watch your brother die. Simple as that.”

I fell silent, letting the anger and frustration flow through my veins. David took my silence as a sign of surrender and approached the door.

“I’ll give you time to think about it,” he said with one last sarcastic smile. “But not too much. Billy has no time to waste.”

And then he just walked off, leaving me to battle my inner demons and figure out what to do. Deep down, I knew I had to save Billy, but I couldn’t let David Williams treat me like trash.

I was trying to collect my thoughts after my shocking conversation with David Williams. I had been too stunned to respond properly, but now anger and confusion overwhelmed me. Corrine, my best friend, had sat beside us the whole time, not saying a word. I felt the need to talk to her, to try to find a thread of logic in all this madness.

“Oh wow! That is some audacity!” The sarcasm and indignation in her tone were so obvious.

“Yeah, that’s exactly how I felt,” I replied, looking into her eyes full of compassion and anger. “How dare he come here and make such a proposition to me?”

Corrine sighed and sat on the edge of Billy’s bed. “I don’t know, Leah. But David Williams clearly has his reasons. But what could he possibly gain from this? Why you?”

“I’m wondering the same thing,” I said. “What could he gain by marrying me? There are so many women on earth. Why did he choose me, of all people?”

Corrine looked at me with understanding eyes.

“Clearly, he took advantage of your vulnerability, your desperate situation. But maybe he sees something in you, something nobody else doesn’t.”

I started walking back and forth in the ward, getting angrier and more frustrated.

“I don’t want to think this is just a game to him. Billy’s life is in danger, and he’s treating everything like business.”

Corrine shook her head.

“David Williams is a businessman, Leah. To him, it’s all about transactions and profit. But you’re not just an asset. You’re my friend, a human being, and you deserve a lot more respect.”

“What do I do, Corrine?” I asked, almost desperately. “I can’t let Billy die, but I also can’t sell my soul to a man like David.”

Corrine stood up and grabbed my hand, forcing me to stop my agitated pacing.

“Leah, you need to think this through. Maybe there is a middle way, a solution we haven’t seen yet.”

“What solution?” I asked with skepticism. “David was very clear. Either I marry him or Billy doesn’t get the surgery.”

Corrine looked toward the window, lost in thought.

“Maybe you should seek help elsewhere. There are organizations that might be able to help you. Maybe you can raise funds in other ways.”

“That’s easy for you to say, but we don’t have time,” I said, feeling overwhelmed by the harsh reality. “Billy needs surgery now, not in a couple of months.”

Corrine looked at me again.

“Then you need to negotiate with David. Maybe you can change his terms. Find another solution that doesn’t involve marriage.”

I remained silent, trying to process all these ideas. Maybe she was right. Maybe there was a way to convince David to help without asking me to make the ultimate sacrifice.

“Maybe you’re right,” I finally said. “But I don’t know how to approach him. He’s so cold and calculating.”

“Try showing him what your family means to you. Show him you’re not willing to sell your body, but that you’re willing to do anything else to save Billy.”

I exhaled. It was an excellent suggestion, but I didn’t know if it would work. David Williams didn’t seem like the kind of man to be moved by emotion.

“I’ll try,” I told Corrine. “I have no other choice. But I need to be ready for whatever happens.”

Corrine squeezed my hand tightly.

“You know I’m here for you, Leah. Whatever it is, we’ll figure it out together.”

A tear rolled down my face. Her being here gave me a bit of hope. I was going to fight for Billy, no matter the cost. No way am I allowing David Williams to use me like an object in his game.

And here I was, this time in front of his office. I knocked slowly and a thick manly voice invited me inside.

“Oh, Miss Leah. I see you’ve changed your mind!” he began without letting me tell him why I had come.

“You’re wrong, Mr. Williams!” I said confidently.

“Mister? Don’t you think you’re being too formal, considering you’re going to be my wife?”

I froze on the spot. This man knew nothing about me, and yet he had the nerve to call me his wife.

“Who said I was to be your wife, Mr. Williams?” I asked, bothered by the certainty with which he spoke and looked at me from head to toe. “No way in hell!”

He rounded the desk and menacingly approached me. His musky perfume invaded my senses as his imposing body invaded my space. Instinctively, I took a step back.

“Cautious? Don’t be. I won’t hurt you! I just want to help you.”

“Then, please lend me the money for Billy’s surgery, but without getting married. I see no point in...”

“Oh, Miss Leah,” he began, reaching out and stroking me gently on the cheek. Pull yourself together, Leah! There’s no need to be carried away by his frivolous touch. “I don’t think you realize how serious your brother Billy’s situation is, or yours, for that matter! Your job as a waitress won’t do you any good, and you haven’t saved enough money. It’s only a matter of time, my dear Leah. The sooner you say yes, the sooner your brother gets his kidney. Otherwise, I’ll have to sign the rejection and give it to another patient who desperately needs it.”

I glared at him.

“You wouldn’t do that!”

“Why wouldn’t I? It’s a life and death situation and all I’m doing is helping you decide faster. So, what will it be? Death or life?”