12

Nathan could see how nervous she was, but in the end, this woman would be his. It was no accident that he had arranged for his former assistant to be sent to another floor and for her to be put in her place.

He had plans for Suzanne and he would not give them up.

"What are those terms?" she dared to ask.

"Listen carefully, because they are unbreakable," he said seriously. "First, you will belong to me for an entire year starting today."

She just nodded, swallowing hard.

"Second, you will be available to me whenever, wherever, and however I want," she sank a bit more into the seat. "Third, no feelings; this will only be a sham marriage, although there will be sex."

Suzanne felt her hands trembling.

"Fourth, you must always be willing to experience any sexual game I desire," he said, and fear completely took over her. "Lastly, and one of the most important, under no circumstances are you to get pregnant."

"As if I would want to have your child," she frowned, annoyed.

"Good, because I don't want that responsibility either, which is why you will undergo contraceptive treatment, as I won't use a condom," the lecherous look he gave her made her shudder. "When you're in my bed, I want to do it skin to skin."

That made her gasp.

She couldn't even process everything he had said, but "sexual game" kept echoing in her mind, repeating over and over.

"We have a deal then," he said, standing up, which she mirrored, despite her whole body trembling.

"We have a deal, Mr. Strong, but I need to ask you something," she said, forcing herself to calm down; there was no turning back now.

"What is it?" he inquired, raising an eyebrow, amused.

"I need you to give me two weeks off to sort out some personal matters," she bit her lip. "And also a small advance on that money."

She felt a lump in her throat, embarrassed, but he nodded as if it was nothing.

"How much?"

"One hundred thousand dollars," she murmured.

"Fine, then in two weeks our game begins, babe," that word gave her chills. "That will be enough time to arrange everything. I’ll deposit your money first thing in the morning."

"I need it today, if possible," she asked hesitantly.

"No problem, it will be today," he approached her firmly. "I also have a request... Suzanne."

"W-what is it?"

"Call me Nathan and stop being formal, soon we will be husband and wife," he said mockingly, taking her by the waist.

For a second she thought about backing out, but she couldn't.

He would fulfill his part of the deal and she would have to do the same, though it didn't guarantee it would be pleasant. She wondered if he knew she was still a virgin.

She snapped back to reality when she felt lips on her neck, kissing and sucking her skin delicately.

"Do you know you're one of the best investments I've made?" he said with a look of latent desire, and she couldn't help but feel like a prostitute.

"If there's nothing else to say, I'll leave," she said, stepping away from him.

She was desperate to get out of there, and if she didn't leave quickly, she feared she would break down in tears right there and she couldn't allow herself to be humiliated any further.

"I'll ask my driver to take you home."

"That's not necessary, I'll take a taxi," she left before he could insist.

She still couldn't believe she had done it. So many times she had rejected him, so many times she had said she was not for sale, and in the end, she had sold herself like any other.

She had broken her morals, but it was all to save her father's life.

She called the hospital to say she had the money to start the treatment, not knowing that from that day her life would take a huge turn.

She would never be the same again.

**

On Sunday morning, Suzanne was already at the hospital.

Throughout the treatment, she kept thinking about her father; she couldn't lose him, he was the most precious thing she had. He had to take care of her alone and despite all the adversities, he always gave her his love.

Being in the hospital waiting room wasn't very comfortable, but she didn't complain. After a few hours, when her father was taken to a room, she felt like she could fall apart.

"Suzanne," he called, and she, with her face buried in her hands, lifted her head.

"I'm glad to see you," she whispered tiredly, embracing him.

She had been holding back her tears, but this time she let them flow without shame.

"Where is he?"

"He came out of intensive care and was taken to a room," she replied as Dylan continued to cradle her in his arms.

"But I don't understand, he got so bad all of a sudden," he said, his voice breaking.

"Yes, but the doctor said the cramps and bleeding were too much for him," she explained as they sat down. "He'll be fine; I have the money to cover all the expenses."

"But how?" her friend frowned. "You told me the loan was denied and that it would take a long time to get help from a charity.”

Suzanne swallowed hard; it hadn't occurred to her to make up a lie. She was just happy and at the same time scared when she saw the six-figure amount in her account. She had never had so much money at once.

"I need to see him; we'll talk about it later," she smiled nervously.

Her friend looked at her for a second and then nodded. He went to buy a coffee while thinking it was a real mystery how Suzanne had gotten the money needed.

"That treatment is so expensive," he said to himself, frowning.

Suzanne arrived at her father's room, and her heart skipped a beat when she saw him pale, lying in that bed with a bunch of cables attached to his body.

"Dad," she sobbed. She didn't like seeing him in those circumstances. "Everything will be fine, but you have to be strong; I need you with me."

The treatment had left noticeable marks on him, evident in his dark circles and labored breathing, as well as the strange color of his face.

Once her father was more stable, he and her friend Dylan bombarded her with countless questions since she had paid all the medical expenses and even bought a modest house.

The one they had been living in was falling apart, and it wasn't fair to keep paying rent for that place, which was no longer safe to live in.