Chapter 1

The antiseptic smell in the hospital hallway stung my nose like invisible needles—piercing not just my sinuses, but my heart too.

I stared at another payment notice, the numbers burning like a hot brand, making my fingertips shake. My brother Benjamin Green lay in the ICU, as pale as a sheet, expensive machines keeping his fragile life from slipping away. The doctor hadn’t sugar-coated it: without the next round of specialized treatment, he wouldn’t make it through the month.

Money. I needed an insane amount of money.

“Miss Olivia Green?” A man in a tailored suit appeared in front of me, his expression blank, his voice steady as a metronome. “Maybe we can talk about your brother’s medical bills.”

I eyed him warily. “Who are you?”

He handed me a business card—only an intricate emblem and a gold-embossed phone number on it. “I work for my employer, Caleb Reed. He’s… interested in you. This agreement might fix your current problem.”

He passed me a thick document. The cover had gold-embossed Latin words I couldn’t understand, but I could feel their ancient, cold weight.

With shaking hands, I opened it. The terms were dense, but the core was brutal: I, Olivia Green, would voluntarily become Caleb Reed’s “contracted companion” for three years.

During that time, I’d have to follow all his instructions and fulfill every “companion obligation.” In return, he’d cover all of Benjamin’s medical costs and get him the best care possible.

“Companion obligations… what does that mean?” My voice was dry.

The lawyer adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses, his eyes totally emotionless. “It all hinges on meeting Mr. Reed’s needs. That includes, but isn’t limited to, companionship, event attendance, and… easing his specific medical condition.”

Medical condition? My heart sank.

“Mr. Reed… who is he?”

The lawyer’s lips curved into a faint, almost pitying smile. “Someone beyond your imagination. Sign it, and your brother lives. Don’t sign,” he paused, his voice turning ice-cold, “and you both wait for death.”

Wait for death. Together.

Those four words hit me like a sledgehammer, shattering all my hesitation and dignity.

I glanced at Benjamin’s peaceful face through the ICU window, remembering our parents’ dying wishes. I was his only sister.

Tears welled up unbidden, falling onto the contract and blurring the ink.

Olivia thought, ‘Trading my freedom for your life. Worth it, little brother.’

I picked up the pen, my hand shaking so bad I could barely hold it. The tip hovered over the signature line, feeling as heavy as a ton of bricks. Finally, I pressed down hard—almost carving my name into the paper.

Olivia Green.

From that second on, I’d sold myself to the mysterious Caleb Reed. This ridiculous contract had bought my future.