In the dimly lit hospital room, the air was thick with tension as Sarah paced nervously outside the operating theater. Her heart raced, not just from the fear for her father, John Carter, who was undergoing surgery for a heart transplant, but also from the weight of the decision she had made. The sterile smell of antiseptic filled her senses, mixing with the anxiety that threatened to overwhelm her.
Just days ago, her father had collapsed, clutching his chest, and the diagnosis had been swift and brutal: a cardiac arrest that left him in desperate need of a transplant. The thought of losing him was unbearable, and the reality of the million-dollar medical bills loomed over her like a dark cloud. It was a price she could never hope to pay on her own, working as a maid for the wealthy Harrison family.
When she had approached Mr. Alex Harrison, her employer, her voice trembled as she explained the dire situation. To her surprise, he listened intently, his expression shifting from concern to contemplation. After a long pause, he made an offer that would change the course of her life forever: he would cover the medical expenses if she agreed to marry his only son, Andrew Harrison.
At first, the proposal had seemed ludicrous. Marriage? To Andrew? The man she had seen only as the aloof heir of the Harrison fortune, who barely acknowledged her presence beyond the occasional polite nod? But as she thought of her father lying on the operating table, the weight of the decision pressed heavily on her shoulders. With no other options, she reluctantly agreed, her heart heavy with the burden of her choice.
Now, as she stood outside the operating room, her thoughts drifted to Andrew. He had been surprisingly supportive throughout this ordeal. When she had shared the news of her father's condition, his demeanor shifted from indifference to genuine concern. He had promised to be there for her, and in that moment, she saw a glimpse of the man beneath the polished exterior.
The hours dragged on, each tick of the clock echoing in her mind. She could only imagine what was happening inside the operating room. The doctors were fighting for her father's life, and she had put everything on the line for the chance to save him. Her hands trembled as she clutched the small charm bracelet her father had given her as a child, a token of love that now felt like a lifeline.
Finally, the double doors swung open, and a doctor emerged, his expression unreadable. Sarah's heart dropped as she approached him, her breath hitching in her throat. "How is he?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"He's stable," the doctor replied, a hint of relief in his tone. "The surgery was successful, but he will need to recover in the ICU for a few days. You'll need to be prepared for that."
Tears of relief streamed down Sarah's cheeks as she nodded, the weight of her worries lifting just a little. Her father was going to be okay. But as she turned to leave, she felt a presence beside her. Andrew stood there, his expression softening as he took in her tear-streaked face.
"I heard," he said gently. "I'm glad to know he's okay."
"Thank you for everything," she replied, her voice shaky. "I don't know what I would have done without your help."
Andrew shifted his weight, looking down at the floor for a moment before meeting her gaze. "You don't have to thank me. I care about your family, and I want to help."
His sincerity caught her off guard. In that moment, she saw not just the wealthy heir, but a man who genuinely cared for her and her father. It was a strange feeling, one that tangled her emotions further.
As the days passed, Sarah found herself spending more time with Andrew at the hospital. He would visit her father, bringing small comforts and encouraging words. They shared quiet moments in the waiting room, talking about everything from their childhoods to their dreams for the future. The more she got to know him, the more she realized how different he was from the persona he projected.
One afternoon, as they sat together, Andrew turned to her, his expression serious. "I know this marriage is a business arrangement, but I want you to know that I'll always support you. If you ever feel trapped or unhappy, just tell me."
His words surprised her. She had expected him to treat their impending marriage as a mere transaction, but he seemed to genuinely care about her feelings. "I appreciate that," she replied softly. "But I want to make this work for both of us."
As her father began to recover, the reality of their situation settled in. They were on the brink of an unusual partnership, one forged in adversity and necessity. The thought of marrying Andrew felt surreal, yet it was becoming increasingly difficult to ignore the bond they were forming.
Days turned into weeks, and as John was discharged from the hospital, Sarah took care of him, making sure he followed the doctor's instructions. As he regained his strength,she knew it was time to talk to Mr Harrison about the next step.
"Mom I'll be heading to Chicago this evening"
Mrs Daisy Carter patted her on the back
"Ok baby. Take good care of yourself and don't worry about your father i and Phil got this".
"Bye sis" Phil said.
She arrived at the Harrison's mansion, feeling a bit intimidated. The butler showed her to the study where Mr Harrison was waiting
"Ah, Sarah good to see you"he said,his voice warm.
"I trust your father is recovering well?"
"Yes sir thank you sir"she replied her voice bearly above whisper."I'm grateful for your help".
Mr Harrison smiled .
"Now let's discuss the arrangements. Andrew will be expecting you to move in soon. The wedding can be a small affair,just family and close friends ".
Sarah felt a knot in her stomach. This was happening faster than she expected.
"Sir may i ask.... What's Andrew like?"
Mr Harrison chuckled
"Thought you saw him the other time he came around anyways, Andrew is a good boy , stubborn at times,but he has a heart of gold. You'll get along just fine ".
Just then the door opened and Andrew walked in.
"Father I see our guest has arrived "he says ,his eyes locking onto Sarah.
Sarah felt a flutter in her chest, Andrew was handsome with piercing blue eyes and chiseled features.
Andrew's gaze lingered on Sarah for a moment before he turned to his father.
"So father i assume you're discussing about the arrangements?".
Mr Harrison nodded " Yes , Andrew Sarah's father is recovering well and now it's time for the both of you to fulfil the end of the bargain".
Andrew's eyes flicked back to Sarah, and she felt a shiver run down her spine.
"I see" he said,his voice neutral.
"Well, in that case i suppose we should get to know eachother a bit better".
Sarah nodded, trying to appear calm despite the butterflies in her stomach.
"Yes that would be nice".
Mr Harrison stood up,a smile on his face
"I'll leave you two to get acquainted"
As Mr Harrison left the room Andrew turned to Sarah
"Would've shown you round the house but guess you know your way better here than me" he said giggling.
Sarah chuckled, feeling a bit tensed.
"Why you nervous? . We met at the hospital few days ago"he said.
Andrew led her on a tour of the mansion pointing out various rooms and artworks. He showed her his dad art gallery. Sarah was amazed by the opulence and grandeur and muttered quietly " How haven't i seen here".
She struggles to shake off the feeling that she didn't belong here .
As they walked, Andrew asked her questions about her father , family and life as a maid working for his parents. She answered feeling a bit more comfortable in his presence.She tells him she comes from a town named "Homestead". Maybe this arrangement wouldn't be so bad after all.
As the tour ended, Andrew glanced at his watch
" I think it's time for dinner, shall we?"
Sarah nodded and Andrew led her to the dinning room. As they sat down to eat,Sarah couldn't help but wonder what the future held for her and Andrew.
Would they find happiness in this marriage or would it be a loveless relationship based on a contract ?