Mark frowned. “And what would that be?”
She set her cup down, her piercing blue eyes locking onto his.
The words hung in the air—heavy and surreal. Mark blinked, certain he’d misheard.
“Excuse me?”
“You heard me,” she said firmly. “This isn’t about romance.”
“It’s a business arrangement. I’ll pay off all your debts, ensure your financial security, and in return, you’ll be my husband.”
Mark let out a disbelieving laugh. “Are you serious? Why me? You don’t even know me.”
Eleanor leaned forward slightly. “Exactly.”
“You’re young, single, and desperate enough to consider this. I don’t need love, Mark. I need companionship.”
“Someone to share my name, my estate—and nothing more. Think of it as a contract.”
Mark shook his head, his thoughts racing. “This is insane. What do you get out of it?”
“I have no children, no family. I want companionship, even if it’s only for appearances. And I want control over my legacy.”
“A husband helps secure that.”
Mark stood abruptly, the chair scraping the floor. “I can’t decide right now. I need time.”
“Of course,” she replied coolly. “But don’t take too long. The offer won’t last forever.”
Mark walked home in a daze, rain soaking through his clothes. That night, he sat at the kitchen table with his mother, whose pale face was etched with worry. The cost of her medical treatments had drained them financially, and his younger sister’s tuition loomed over them like a dark cloud.
“Mark,” his mother said softly after he explained Eleanor’s proposal, “I know it sounds unthinkable, but if she’s willing to help, maybe it’s worth considering.”
Mark stared at his hands, torn between pride and desperation. “You’re asking me to marry a woman I don’t love just to fix our problems.”
The next morning, Mark returned to the restaurant.
Eleanor was already there, as calm and composed as before.
“You’ve decided,” she said without looking up from her tablet.
Mark took a deep breath. “I’ll do it.”
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