Amelia

“Amelia, please come to my office.”

Amelia Parker looked up from her computer. Her manager stood by the door, his expression serious.

She followed him, wondering what she had done wrong. She had completed all her reports and even stayed late the previous evening to finish a project.

“Have a seat,” Mr. Collins said.

Amelia sat down and folded her hands on her lap.

“The company is reducing its workforce,” he began. “Unfortunately, your position has been affected.”

She stared at him.

“Are you saying I have lost my job?”

“I am sorry, Amelia. The decision is final.”

“But I have worked here for three years. My

performance has been good.”

“I know, and this decision is not about your performance.”

Amelia swallowed hard. “Please, sir. Can I be transferred to another department? I really need this job.”

Mr. Collins shook his head.

“I wish I could help.”

Amelia nodded slowly, afraid that speaking again would make her cry. She returned to her desk, packed her belongings into a small box, and walked out of the building.

Outside, she checked her bank balance.

Her heart sank.

Her mother's hospital bills were due the following morning, and the money in her account could barely cover their daily expenses.

“What am I going to do now?” she whispered.

Her phone rang.

It was Daniel Hayes, her boyfriend of three years.

Amelia answered immediately, hoping he might offer some comfort.

“Daniel, I'm glad you called. I need your help.”

“What happened?”

“I lost my job today, and Mum's hospital bill is due tomorrow. Could you lend me some money until I find another job?”

He went quiet.

“Daniel?”

“Amelia, I can't help you right now.”

She frowned. “Why not? Is something wrong?”

“I have my own problems.”

“I understand, but this is about my mother. You know how much her treatment costs.”

He sighed. “Maybe we should stop pretending that everything between us is fine.”

Her heart began to race.

“What do you mean?”

“I think we should break up.”

Amelia gripped her phone tightly.

“Daniel, are you serious?”

“Yes. My feelings have changed.”

“After everything I have done for you?”

“I never asked you to do those things.”

The words hurt more than she expected.

She remembered using her savings to support his business and encouraging him when everyone else doubted him.

Now, when she needed him, he was walking away.

Before she could respond, the call ended.

Amelia stood beside the road, fighting her tears. She had lost her job and the man she thought would stand beside her.

But she could not give up.

Her mother needed her.

She took a taxi to St. Mary's Hospital.

When she entered the room, her mother, Evelyn, smiled weakly.

“There is my beautiful girl. How was work?”

Amelia sat beside her and held her hand.

“Mum, I lost my job today.”

Evelyn's smile faded.

“Oh, sweetheart.”

“And Daniel left me.”

Her mother squeezed her fingers. “I am sorry, my child.”

Amelia lowered her head.

“I don't know what to do anymore.”

“You don't have to figure everything out today,”

Evelyn whispered. “Just promise me you won't give up.”

Amelia nodded, hiding the tears in her eyes.

She would find another job. She would find a way to pay the bills.

Justin

Justin Reeves walked into his office.

Justin Dropped his grandfather's will onto his desk.

“This has to be a joke.”

His assistant, Ethan Brooks, stood across from him.

“I'm afraid it isn't, sir.”

Justin picked up the document again. According to the will, he had three months to get married or risk losing control of Reeves Global Holdings.

He had spent years building the company into a successful business. Now, his grandfather's final wishes threatened everything he had worked for.

“So I can run a company worth millions, but I cannot decide whether to get married?” Justin asked.

“The condition is legally binding unless your lawyer finds a way to challenge it.”

Justin shook his head.

He had never trusted love. His parents' troubled marriage had taught him that promises could easily be broken. He preferred business, where agreements were clear and expectations could be written down.

His phone rang.

It was his grandmother, Victoria.

“Justin, I heard about the will,” she said.

“Then you know how ridiculous it is.”

“Your grandfather wanted you to build a life beyond work.”

“I have a life.”

“You have a company, Justin. That is not the same thing.”

He sighed.

“Grandmother, I am not going to marry someone simply because I have been ordered to.”

“Then find someone you can trust.”

Justin paused.

An idea began to form in his mind.

Perhaps marriage did not have to involve love. He could find a woman who needed financial support and offer her a clear agreement. They would marry for a fixed period, protect each other's interests, and separate when the time came.

No promises.

No emotional complications.

Just a business arrangement.

“I will find a solution,” he told his grandmother.

“Just remember that the woman you choose is a human being, not another business deal.”

After the call ended, Justin turned to Ethan.

“Contact my lawyer. I want a marriage agreement prepared.”

Ethan looked surprised but nodded.

Justin returned to the window, confident that he could solve the problem.

He had no idea that somewhere in the city, a desperate young woman was searching for a way to save her mother.

And soon, she would become the answer to his problem.