CHAPTER ONE: THE PRICE OF SURVIVAL.
The smell of antiseptic clung stubbornly to the air, sharp and unforgiving.
Amara Okoye sat quietly on the cold metal chair outside the private ward, her fingers tightly wrapped around a crumpled hospital bill she had read more times than she could count.
₦3,450,000.
The number blurred again.
It didn't change. It never did.
Her chest tightened, and she swallowed hard, forcing herself not to cry. not here, not now, she said to herself.
Through the glass window, she could see her father lying still on the hospital bed. Tubes ran from his frail body into machines that beeped softly, as if reminding her that every second cost money she didn't have.
Just two months ago, he had been fine, laughing, talking, complaining about fuel prices like every other Nigerian father.
Now he could barely open his eyes.
"Amara"
She turned at the soft voice.
Ngozi stood there, her younger sister looking just as exhausted, her eyes slightly swollen from crying.
"You've not eaten since morning," Ngozi said gently, walking closer. "At least take something. You won't be able to help him if you collapse."
Amara forced a small smile.
"I'm fine."
"You're not."
The silence that followed was heavy.
Ngozi's gaze dropped to the paper in Amara's hand. "What did they say this time?"
Amara hesitated.
Then she handed it over the paper to her.
Ngozi scanned it quickly, and her face went pale.
"They've increased it again?"
Amara nodded slowly. "They said the treatment is getting more complicated and the medications are more expensive."
Ngozi let out a shaky breath. "But we already paid last week. Everything we had."
"I know."
Everything.
Her savings. Her small business earnings. The money she had kept aside for years all gone.
And still not enough.
Ngozi lowered her voice. "What are we going to do?"
Amara didn't answer immediately.
Because the truth was, she didn't know.
For the first time in her life, Amara Okoye had reached a point where hard work alone was not enough.
And that terrified her.
Across the city, in a world that felt completely different.Tunde Adebayo stood in front of the glass wall of his office, overlooking Victoria Island.
The city moved beneath him busy, loud, and alive. But inside his office, everything was still.
Controlled.
Perfect
Just the way he liked it.
"Sir, the board members are waiting."
He didn't turn.
"I'll be there in five minutes."
"Yes, sir."
The door clicked shut behind his assistant, leaving him alone again.
Tunde adjusted his cufflinks slowly, his expression unreadable.
A scandal.
That was what they were calling it.
One careless association. One mistake in judgment.
And now the media was tearing his name apart.
"Adebayo Holdings Under Investigation."
"CEO Linked to Financial Irregularities."
He exhaled quietly.
He had spent years building his company from nothing and cleaning up the mess his father left behind, restoring credibility and earning respect.
And now, everything was at risk.
The door opened again without a knock.
Tunde didn't need to turn to know who it was.
"You should really start locking your door," Elvis Thomas said casually, stepping in like he owned the place.
Tunde finally turned, his expression flat. "You should really learn boundaries."
Elvis grinned. "And miss the opportunity to watch you suffer? Never."
Tunde walked back to his desk, completely ignoring the comment. "What do you want?"
Elvis leaned against the table. "Straight to the point. I like it."
Silence.
Then Elvis's tone shifted slightly.
"This situation is getting worse, Tunde."
"I'm aware."
"The investors are nervous. Your father is involved now."
That made Tunde pause.
Just slightly.
Elvis noticed.
"He thinks you need to fix your image. Fast."
Tunde's jaw tightened. "And how exactly does he expect me to do that?"
Elvis hesitated.
Then he said it.
"Marriage."
The word hung in the air.
Cold.
Heavy.
Unwelcome.
Tunde let out a short, humorless laugh. "No."
"It's not a bad idea."
"It's a ridiculous idea."
Elvis shrugged. "You need stability. Respectability. Something to distract the public."
"I don't need a wife for that."
"No," Elvis said quietly. "But your reputation does."
Tunde's eyes hardened.
Marriage was not part of his life plan.
It never had been.
He had seen what emotions could do.
He had experienced betrayal firsthand.
Trust was a weakness.
And he had learned his lesson well.
"I'm not getting married," he said firmly.
Elvis studied him for a moment.
Then slowly, a different look crossed his face.
"What if it's not real?"
Tunde frowned slightly.
Elvis straightened. "Think about it. A contract marriage. Temporary. Controlled. No emotions. No complications."
Tunde didn't respond.
But he didn't dismiss it either.
Elvis continued, sensing the shift.
"I might know someone."
That got Tunde's attention.
Later that evening, Amara stood outside the hospital gate, staring blankly at the busy road.
Cars passed. People moved.
Life continued.
But hers felt stuck.
Her phone buzzed in her hand.
Unknown number.
She almost ignored it.
Almost, but something made her answer.
"Hello?"
"Good evening. Am I speaking with Amara Okoye?"
Her grip tightened slightly. "Yes, who is this?"
"My name is Elvis Thomas."
She frowned. The name sounded familiar, but she couldn't place it.
"I got your contact from a mutual connection," he continued. "I believe you're currently facing some financial difficulties regarding your father's medical treatment."
Amara stiffened immediately.
"I don't understand"
"I'd like to discuss a possible solution."
Her heart began to beat faster.
"I'm not interested in any loans," she said quickly. "I can't afford."
"It's not a loan."
That stopped her.
Silence.
Then slowly, cautiously.
"What is it?"
Elvis didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he said something that made her breath catch.
"It's an opportunity that could solve all your problems."
Amara's fingers tightened around her phone.
Because deep down, she knew nothing came that easily.
And nothing was ever truly free.
That night, Amara couldn't sleep.
Elvis had asked to meet her the next day.
Said it was important.
Said it would "change everything."
She didn't know why, but his words kept replaying in her mind.
An opportunity.
A solution.
A way out.
It sounded too good to be true.
And that scared her.
But when she thought of her father, the machines, the bills, the helplessness.
Her chest tightened painfully.
What choice did she really have?
The next day, Amara walked into one of the most expensive restaurants in Victoria Island, feeling completely out of place.
The air smelled different here.
Everything looked polished.
Perfect.
She adjusted her simple dress nervously, scanning the room.
Then she saw him.
Elvis Thomas.
He smiled the moment their eyes met and stood up.
"Amara?"
She nodded slowly, walking toward him.
"Please, sit."
She sat carefully, her posture stiff.
There was a brief silence.
Then Elvis got straight to the point.
"I won't waste your time," he said. "I'll be honest with you."
Amara appreciated that.
He leaned forward slightly.
"My friend needs a wife."
She blinked.
"I'm sorry, what?"
"A contract marriage," he clarified calmly. "One year. Everything will be clearly defined. No emotional involvement required."
Amara stared at him, convinced she had heard wrong.
"You're joking."
"I'm not."
Her heart started racing.
"This doesn't make any sense."
"It does," Elvis said simply. "To both of you."
She shook her head. "I don't even know your friend."
"You don't need to."
That made her uncomfortable.
"What do I gain from this?" she asked carefully.
Elvis held her gaze.
"Financial security."
Her breath hitched.
"All your father's medical bills will be covered," he added.
Silence.
Heavy.
Overwhelming.
Amara felt like the world had suddenly gone quiet.
"That's not all," Elvis continued. "You'll be compensated for your time. Generously."
Her mind was spinning.
This was insane.
Completely insane.
And yet, her father's face flashed in her mind.
Weak.
Fading.
Waiting.
"What's the catch?" she whispered.
Elvis didn't hesitate.
"You must live with him."
Her stomach dropped.
"As his wife," he added.
Her throat went dry.
"No real relationship," he clarified. "Just appearances. Events. Public image."
Amara's fingers trembled slightly.
"This is wrong"
"Is it?" Elvis asked quietly. "Or is it simply a transaction?"
That hit her hard.
Because when he put it that way, it didn't sound so different from everything else life had forced her to do.
He leaned back slightly.
"You don't have to decide now," he said. "But time is not on your side."
Amara closed her eyes briefly.
And in that moment, she realized something painful.
This wasn't just an offer.
It was a test.
A choice between her dignity, and her her father's life.
When she opened her eyes again, they were no longer uncertain.
Just heavy.
"Who is he?"
Elvis smiled slightly.
"Tunde Adebayo."
The name sent a quiet shock through her.
Everyone in Lagos knew that name.
Power.
Wealth.
Influence.
And a reputation for being completely untouchable.
Amara swallowed hard again.
Her life was about to change.
In ways she couldn't even begin to imagine.
CHAPTER TWO: A DECISION SHE CANNOT TAKE BACK.
The hospital room felt too quiet that evening.
Amara sat beside her father, her fingers wrapped around his hand as if holding on could somehow keep him here longer. The steady sound of the monitor filled the space, soft but constant, a reminder that time was slipping whether she was ready or not.She watched his face with so many thoughts running down her chest, he looked different,thinner and weak than ever before, Like the illness had taken more than just his strength.
"Amara"
His voice came out very low, almost lost in the silence.
She leaned forward quickly. "I'm here"
His eyes opened slowly, searching until they found her. When they did, something softened in them, something that made her chest tighten painfully.
"You've not been sleeping"
She gave a small smile. "I'm fine"
She lied "i just woke up"
He held her gaze longer than usual, like he was trying to read through her words.
"You think I don't know you"
Her smile faded immediately.
His fingers tightened slightly around hers. "You've always been carrying too much on your own"
She shook her head. "It's nothing, I can handle"
But this time, it didn't sound convincing, not even to her, because she also didn't know what to do.
He studied her for a moment, then asked quietly, "How much is it now"
Her heart dropped.
She looked away, adjusting the bedsheet, pretending she didn't hear what he was saying, just to avoid his eyes.
"You shouldn't worry about that"
"Amara"
That tone again. Gentle but firm.
She swallowed hard. "They increased it"
"How much"
She hesitated, then she stil said it anyway. "More than we can afford.
The truth sat heavily between them.
He closed his eyes briefly in agony, like he felt the weight of it.
"I didn't want this for you"
Her throat tightened. "Then don't give up"
He gave a faint smile. "Life doesn't always listen to what we want"
Tears burned in her eyes, but she held them back, not wanting to cry in his presence.
"I'll fix it," she said quietly. "I promise"
He didn't argue this time, he only looked at her in a way that made her feel like he already understood the cost of that promise.
That night, sleep didn't come.
Amara lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling, her phone beside her. Her mind kept replaying everything that is going on in her life.
A contract marriage, it sounded so unreal.
Like something that belonged in someone else's life and not hers.
But nothing about her life felt normal anymore.
Her phone buzzed.
She froze immediately but still turned to it slowly, a new message from an unknown number.
"10am tomorrow. Adebayo Holdings"
No name, no explanation, but she already knew who it was.
Her heart started beating faster, unsure of what to reply.
This was it, the moment everything would change in her life.
She stared at the message for a very long time.
Then finally, she replied.
"Okay"
The moment she sent it, something inside her shifted.
Like she had stepped into something she couldn't walk away from anymore.
The next morning, Lagos felt louder than usual.
Cars moved endlessly. People rushed past. Life continued like nothing had changed.
But everything had. Amara stood in front of the building, staring up at Adebayo Holdings. It looked exactly how she imagined it would. Tall, polished, powerful. A place that didn't belong to her.
She adjusted her dress unconsciously.
For a moment, doubt crept in, then she thought of her father.
And the doubt disappeared instantly.
She walked inside, full of fear and disbelief of everything she's seeing, the interior was calm and controlled.
Everything looked perfect. The floors, the lighting, the people moving quietly with purpose.
Amara approached the receptionist. "Good morning. I'm here to see Mr Tunde Adebayo"
The woman glanced at her, then made a quick call.
After a short pause, she nodded. "You can go up"
Amara thanked her and walked toward the elevator, her steps felt heavier with each second.
When the elevator doors opened, the silence on the top floor felt different, this one was more deeper, controlled, and almost intimidating.
She stepped out slowly. And then she saw him, standing by the window, his back facing her. Still,and unmoving .
There was something about the way he stood, something controlled and distant, like a man who didn't allow anything to get close.
"Good morning"
Her voice sounded softer than she expected.
He didn't turn immediately.
"You're late"
Her brows pulled slightly. "I'm on time"
He turned slowly.
And when their eyes met, she felt it.
His gaze was sharp, Steady, The kind that made people very uncomfortable, but she didn't look away.
"I don't consider three minutes early," he said calmly.
She held his gaze. "Then maybe your time works differently"
There was a brief pause, a small silence but enough.
"Sit"
She sat.
He walked to the desk, his movements controlled, like it was calculated.
"No need for unnecessary conversation. You know why you're here"
"Yes"
"I need a wife"
The words were sharp and simple.
"And I need money," she said quietly.
Silence settled between them for awhile, not awkward just honest.
"This is not a real marriage," he said. "It's an arrangement for just One year"
She nodded.
Then he said immediately, "You will live with me, appear with me in public,maintain a stable image that lack suspicion"
Her chest tightened slightly, but she kept her expression calm.
"In return, your father's treatment will be handled completely, and any of your financial needs"
That was the moment that mattered.
Her heart beat faster.
"What happens after one year"
"We go our separate ways quietly"
Just like that.
Calm and simple.
She studied him carefully, this man didn't believe in emotions, that was very much clear
"Why me"
"You're not connected to my world. No complications"
Convenient, Replaceable.
She accepted it.
"And if I say no"
"You walk away"
No pressure, no stress, and no persuasion, just certainty.
She took a slow breath.
Her father, the hospital, the fear.
She didn't have a choice anymore, she hesitated for a moment.
"I'll do it"
Her voice was steady.
Even if her heart wasn't, he watched her closely.
"You're sure"
"No," she said honestly. "But I don't have a choice"
Something flickered in his eyes.
Brief, but unexplainable.
"The contract will be prepared," he said in a very calm tone.
She nodded and stood,she had agreed.
There was no going back.
"Amara"
She turned.
"There are rules"
Her stomach tightened slightly.
"No emotional attachment"
"I understand"
"Respect my space"
"I will"
"Do not interfere with my personal matters"
"I won't"
He paused before adding quietly, "Do not try to get close to me"
His tone shifted slightly, it sounded more like a warning.
She held his gaze.
"I'm not interested in getting close to you"
That response caught him off guard.
Only for a second, then it was gone.
She turned and walked out with an unsure feeling and a tight pain in her chest, outside the building, she looked around and exhaled slowly. She still can't comprehend why everything here feels different.
Her hands trembled slightly, not from fear, but from the weight of what she had just done on her own not knowing how it might turn out, she had just agreed to marry a stranger without thinking twice just for survival.
Upstairs, Tunde remained still and unmoved, his gaze fixed on the door she had walked through.
Elvis stepped in. "Well"
"She agreed"
"I expected that"
Tunde said nothing at first, but something about the meeting stayed with him, and he couldn't hold back anymore.
"She's not what I thought"
Elvis looked at him curiously. "How"
Tunde's expression darkened slightly.
"She didn't look desperate"
That was what stood out.
"She looked certain"
Elvis immediately frowned. "That's not good"
Tunde didn't respond.
But he knew it wasn't.
"Find out everything about her," he said quietly.
Elvis raised a brow. "You don't trust her"
"I don't trust anyone"
Outside, Amara stepped into the sunlight, trying to steady her breathing, she should feel relieved, the mist biggest problem in her life was almost solved.
Her father would live, and that was all that mattered at the moment, but something still felt off, something she couldn't explain.
Her phone buzzed.
She frowned and looked down, a new message again.
Unknown number.
Her heart skipped, she hesitated for some minutes and finally gathered the courage to open it, she did opened it.
And the moment she read it, her entire body went still.
If you go through with this marriage, you will surely regret it, her fingers tightened around the phone, her chest rose slowly in disbelief
Then she turned, her eyes lifting toward the building behind her.
And for the first time since she said yes, fear settled deep inside her.