Bound by Contract, Freed by Love

beside me. Her sweaty hand encloses around mine. "Nur

ply, trying to be u

look over at the envelope on the passenger seat-hospital bill for unde

her bed in a chair. A nurse staples an IV tube in

," I say to him,

me. "Elena, the surgery is tomorrow morning. I w

answer. "Tha

and around mine. I

t gala. I possess one white gown, nearly frayed at the seams. I l

vice in the clinic is heroic. Let me ask you

I'm simply d

ed like stars in mid-air. Money occupies every seat. Men in tuxedos.

He's talking to VIPs. Tall, dark coat, aura of power. Clen

r one of the shrimp. The doctor's estimate is

m. My heels are clicking along marble. I che

ind me opens

ing there. Dominic Blackwo

ood," I say

kay." His tone is e

r. The space is small, dimly lit. Mirrors

ays. "You're here in the inte

rk for the H

e. "That is y

my hair

here's a document inside. It is th

says. "I'll cover your

-I can't a

d. "There's a con

r all medical care. And in exchange, a two-year contract marriage. No divorce. No children on a ri

ck. "Why

an. And because I want to

age contract? I'm

at me.

to the sink and splashed cold wa

me to marry y

t. Two years. I pay your bills.

e pages. "I shoul

e got one hour to choose.

a line for

m in bed. I think about the bills that won't

d a mi

ks away. Quiet

sign. I sig

nd he takes it. He smiles

ry to take care of all of th

shaking legs.

m. I grasp it. We l

dance. People raise their charity bids. I walk bes

are you

ar. You n

es and past a string quartet. A waiter shouts my name. He puts o

on top of my hand, extracting slivers of glas

you step,"

no

spinning. He gets in the driver's seat. We drive throug

car parked outside. He t

opens it. He takes me to a small suite. Sing

u will have your mother's bills paid. I will handle

. "And th

ur part. Public events, dinner, company

coils. "A

s. "A cont

Chaste, but tidy. My hea

ving here ful

at his wa

hould call

ng to hear from you. I told the hospit

yes. I call the hospit

a? Oh

overed. Everyth

od," the

ne and glance at

s. "Slee

er across my face. I gaze at myself in the mi

s standing by the window.

"You did a ver

"I had no o

"You did. You s

the floo

s his han

n it. He sits bes

we start,

at the ceiling. My mind i

not good enoug

n't," h