The rain pounded relentlessly against the small, dimly lit apartment window. Outside, Jakarta's neon lights blurred into a hazy mosaic of reds, yellows, and blues, swallowed by sheets of rain that refused to stop. Inside, the air was thick with despair and exhaustion.
Livia Hartono sat on the edge of her bed, clutching her little brother Dito's trembling hand. The boy was barely six years old, his cheeks flushed with fever, his tiny body wracked with coughs. His breathing was shallow, labored—each breath a painful reminder of how fragile life could be.
She looked down at his face, her heart shattering. How did it come to this? Just a few weeks ago, they were a normal family, full of hope. Now, everything was crumbling.
Her mind raced through endless possibilities—every doctor, every medicine, every prayer she whispered into the night. But nothing worked. The bills piled up like mountains, pressing down on her shoulders, suffocating her with their weight.
She wiped her sweaty forehead and looked around her cramped room. The small space was cluttered with worn-out furniture, medical bills, and a few scattered toys Dito had refused to let go of. The only thing that mattered now was his fragile life.
Suddenly, her phone vibrated on the nightstand, jolting her from her thoughts. Her hand trembled as she reached out and grabbed it. The screen displayed a number she didn't recognize.
Her heart pounded. Who could it be at this hour? She hesitated, then answered cautiously.
"Hello?"
A deep, calm voice answered. "Ms. Hartono, this is Mr. Reynaldi Arka. I understand your situation is urgent. I've heard about your brother."
Livia's breath hitched. Her voice was hoarse. "How… how do you know about him?"
"I am a businessman. I've been watching your family for some time. I can help your brother recover, but there's a condition."
Her mind spun. A condition? What kind of condition? Her voice wavered. "What… what do you mean?"
"Marriage. A temporary marriage, for six months. You'll be paid well—enough to cover all the medical expenses. And I will ensure your brother gets the treatment he needs. But it must be a marriage—no questions asked."
Silence. Her mind went blank. Her heart pounded in her chest so loudly she thought it might burst. She stared at Dito's sick face, her body trembling.
"Why… why me?" she managed to whisper.
"I understand it's a lot to ask," Reynaldi continued smoothly. "But I know your situation. I know you're desperate. And I'm offering you a chance to save him."
For a moment, she couldn't speak. Her thoughts swirled chaotically—fear, shame, desperation. Could she really do this? Could she marry a stranger just to save her brother?
Her eyes welled with tears. She glanced at Dito, then back at the phone, feeling the weight of her world crashing down.
"Think about it," the voice said softly. "We can meet tomorrow. I'll explain everything in detail."
The line went dead.
Livia sat there, trembling, clutching her phone like a lifeline. Her mind was a whirlwind of conflicting emotions—hope, fear, shame, and an overwhelming sense of helplessness.
*Would she really do this?*
*Would she be able to face the shame, the judgment, the unknown?*
*And what if this was a trap?*
She looked at Dito's tiny face, his eyelids fluttering. The fever was relentless. She knew she couldn't delay. Her brother's life depended on her decision.
Her hands trembled as she looked around the small room—the only home they had left, filled with memories and heartbreak. She knew this was a gamble. A gamble that could either save him or destroy her.
But her resolve hardened. She was willing to do anything to save her brother. Even if it meant walking into the unknown, into a marriage with a stranger.
Her mind flashed back to the countless nights she sat by Dito's bed, praying silently, begging for a miracle. And now, a miracle was just a phone call away.
---
**The next morning, the sky was still clouded, the city shrouded in a thick haze.**
Livia woke with a pounding headache, her body exhausted from a sleepless night. She had barely closed her eyes, haunted by visions of what lay ahead.
She dressed hurriedly, throwing on the only decent outfit she owned—a simple blouse and jeans. Her mind was a jumble of fears and hope. She kept glancing at her phone, waiting for that call or message.
As she stepped outside her apartment, the cold air hit her like a slap. The streets were busy, people rushing to work, oblivious to her turmoil. She clutched her bag tightly, trying to steady her nerves.
Her destination was a small café a few blocks away—where they had agreed to meet. As she entered, her eyes scanned for him—the man who would change everything.
And then she saw him.
Reynaldi Arka.
He was seated alone at a corner table, looking composed yet intense, his dark eyes fixed on her as she approached. His presence exuded power, authority, and something else—something dangerous.
She hesitated for a moment, then took a deep breath and sat down across from him.
"Ms. Hartono," he greeted softly, voice smooth as silk. "Thank you for coming."
She nodded, trying to hide her trembling hands. "You said you'd explain everything."
He nodded, leaning forward slightly. "First, I want to make sure you understand what you're agreeing to. This isn't just a marriage of convenience—it's a pact. You'll be my wife for six months. No questions. No complications."
Her throat tightened. "And… what happens after six months?"
He shrugged. "That depends. If you decide to stay, we can discuss it. If not, you walk away. But I promise, I will do everything to protect you and your brother during this time."
Her mind raced. Was this real? Was she really about to do this? She looked into his eyes and saw no malice—just cold calculation and something unreadable.
"I need time to think," she whispered.
He smiled faintly. "Take all the time you need. But understand this—every moment you delay, Dito's life hangs in the balance."
Her heart clenched at his words. She knew she had no choice but to accept. The stakes were too high.
She nodded slowly. "Okay. I'll do it."
His smile widened, but his eyes remained guarded. "Good. We'll finalize everything tonight."
As she left the café, her mind was a storm of emotions—fear, hope, shame, and a flicker of determination. She knew this was just the beginning of a dangerous game.
But for her brother, she would do anything.