Heat rushed to my face, burning with humiliation. My throat constricted as I forced myself to maintain eye contact.
64
“I’ve included a confidentiality use,” Dominic added, turning to another page. “You will not discuss the true nature of our arrangement with anyone. Publicly, you are my personal assistant. Privately…” His voice dropped lower. “You are mine. Purchased and paid for, <b>until </b>I be Alpha or choose to terminate our agreement.”
The word “purchased hit me like a physical blow. I felt dirty, cheapened–reduced to amodity with a price tag.
“The final section addresses termination,” he said. “Should you wish to end our arrangement prematurely, you will be required to repay all medical expenses and advances in full, immediately. With interest.”
I swallowed hard, knowing such repayment would be impossible. “So I’m trapped.”
“Not trapped,” Dominic corrected, his voice eerily reasonable. “You’re making a choice. Trading something you possess your body, your time, yourpanionship–for something you need. It’s a simple transaction.”
A simple transaction. The words echoed in my head as bile rose in my throat.
“Once you sign,” Dominic continued, “your father will be transferred immediately to Silvercrest Medical Center. The surgery can be scheduled for next week.”
Dad. The mention of his surgery sent a painful jolt through my chest. Just yesterday, Mom had called with histest test results–the tumor was growing more aggressively than expected. “Time is of the essence,” she’d said with that careful, measured tone doctors use when delivering bad news.
My hand trembled <b>as </b>I turned the pages, scanning uses that reduced me to little more than a high–priced escort. One paragraph specified that I would “maintain an appearance pleasing to Mr. Sterling,” including any changes to my hair, clothing, or body weight he might request. Another detailed how I would “enthusiastically participate” in intimate rtions.
“You’re selling yourself short,” William’s voice echoed in my memory from ourst fight. “That’s always been your problem, Ba. No ambition.”
Would heugh if he could see me now? Putting a price tag on myself like this?
“Is there a problem with the terms<b>?</b>” Dominic asked, breaking my reverie.
I looked up at him, vision blurring. “Do you have any idea how humiliating this is? To have my… services… itemized like a business contract?”
Something flickered in his eyes–not sympathy, but perhaps understanding. “Would you prefer I pretended this was something else? Offered false promises of love or affection? I respect you enough to be honest about what I’m buying and what you’re selling.”
His brutal honesty cut deeper than any lie. At least William had pretended to love me before betraying me.
“I’m not a prostitute,‘ I whispered, the words barely audible.
“No,” Dominic agreed, sliding an expensive pen toward me. “You’re a woman making a calcted decision to save her father’s life. The motivation doesn’t change the nature of the transaction, but it does make it more… honorable.”
…
<b>64 </b>
Honorable. The word was so wrong in this context that I almostughed.
I stared at the signature line, tears welling in my eyes. With each passing second, I could feel my self–respect crumbling, reced by a desperate pragmatism. Dad was dying. This man could save him. The cost was merely my dignity<b>, </b>my body, my freedom.
“I need a minute,” I whispered.
Dominic nodded, his expression unreadable. “Take your time.”
I closed my eyes, remembering my father’s pale face in the hospital bed. “Don’t worry about me, Dear,” he’d insisted, even as pain creased his forehead. The resignation in his eyes had terrified me more than his diagnosis.
What would he say if he knew what I was doing to save him? Would he be disgusted? Heartbroken? Or would he understand that sometimes love means sacrificing everything, even your self–worth?
With trembling fingers, I picked up the pen. “Where do I sign?” I asked, my voice hollow.
Chapter Comments
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Visitor
4 days ago
I just don’t understand why is she not negotiating better terms if those in the contract are not to her satisfaction? She is supposed to be 25 but she is acting like a 13 year old.
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