Chapter Two

The reality of what I had just agreed to didn't fully hit me until I walked out of Rex's office that morning. My

steps felt heavier, my heart louder in my chest. The papers I had signed were tucked inside a folder clutched in my hands like they could somehow keep me grounded.

"Sarah, what have you done?" I whispered under my breath, the weight of the situation pressing on me. This wasn't just some simple decision... it was a leap into the unknown, a deal that could either save my family or ruin me.

The cleaning cart I had abandoned earlier sat idly in the hallway. Alicia was leaning against the wall, her arms crossed and a curious expression on her face.

"What did Rex Go want with you?" she asked, straightening as I approached. "Nothing," I muttered, avoiding her gaze.

"Nothing?" Alicia arched a brow. "Girl, that man doesn't call people into his office for 'nothing.' Come on, spill."

"I said it's nothing, Alicia," I snapped, my voice sharper than I intended. Her eyes widened in surprise, and I immediately felt guilty. "Sorry," I added quickly. "I just... It's been a long day."

She studied me for a moment, then nodded. "Alright. But if you ever want to talk, you know where to find me."

The rest of the day dragged on. I went through the motions... cleaning offices, emptying trash cans, wiping windows... but my mind was elsewhere. The thought of going home to Jason gave me a small sense of relief, but even that was tainted by the enormity of what I had committed to.

When I finally walked through the door of our apartment that evening, Jason greeted me with his usual cheerful grin.

"Hey, Sis! How was work?"

"Busy," I replied, forcing a smile. "How about you? How was school?"

He launched into a detailed account of his day, talking about a football match during lunch and a new assignment his teacher had given. I nodded along, trying to focus, but my thoughts kept drifting back to Rex's words.

"You'll have more money than you've ever dreamed of. Your brother will have opportunities you could never afford."

The promise was tempting, almost too tempting. But was it worth sacrificing my freedom?

That night, as Jason slept soundly in the next room, I found myself staring at the ceiling, unable to sleep. My mind replayed the events of the day, over and over again, until I couldn't take it anymore. I grabbed my phone and dialed Alicia's number.

"Sarah? It's late. Is everything okay?" she asked groggily.

"Yeah, I just..." I hesitated, unsure of how much to share. "I need to ask you something." "Go on," she urged, her tone more alert now.

"If someone offered you a way to change your life completely... like, give you everything you've ever wanted... but it came with a catch, would you take it?"

She was silent for a moment. "Depends on the catch. What are we talking about here? Selling your soul?" "Not exactly," I said, biting my lip. "It's just...complicated."

"Sarah, life is full of catches. The question is, can you live with the consequences of your choice? If the answer is yes, then go for it. If not, don't."

Her words stayed with me long after we hung up. Could I live with the consequences of marrying Rex Go?

The next few days were a whirlwind of preparations. A lawyer from Rex's team met with me to finalize the

terms of the contract. Everything was laid out in black and white: the three-month timeline, the confidentiality clause, the financial compensation, and, of course, the expectations.

"You are to act as Mr. Go's wife in public," the lawyer explained. "Attend events, accompany him to meetings, and maintain the image of a happy couple. Your personal life, however, remains your own... within reason."

"Within reason?" I repeated, frowning.

"Yes," he said, adjusting his glasses. "Any actions that could harm Mr. Go's reputation will be considered a breach of contract."

I nodded, trying to absorb everything. It felt surreal, like I was signing away my life.

The wedding day arrived sooner than I expected. It was a small, private ceremony held in one of Rex's mansions, with only a handful of people in attendance. I wore a simple white dress that his team had picked out, and my hair was styled by a professional for the first time in my life.

Jason was thrilled when I told him about the marriage, though I kept the details vague. "You're getting married to a rich guy? That's awesome, Sis!" he'd said, his eyes lighting up with excitement.

I wished I could share his enthusiasm.

As I stood in front of Rex, exchanging vows that felt more like a script than a promise, I couldn't help but feel like an imposter. His hand was firm but cold as he slipped the ring onto my finger, and his expression remained unreadable throughout the ceremony.

"Congratulations, Mrs. Go," he said quietly as we posed for the official photos. "Thanks," I replied, forcing a smile.

Moving into Rex's mansion was like stepping into another world. The house was massive, with high ceilings, marble floors, and more rooms than I could count. The staff greeted me warmly, their smiles genuine, which was a small comfort in an otherwise intimidating environment.

"Welcome, Mrs. Go," one of the maids said, showing me to my room. My room. Not our room.

It was a stark reminder of the reality of our arrangement. This wasn't a real marriage. We were strangers, bound by a piece of paper and a mutual agreement.

That evening, as I unpacked my things, Rex knocked on the door and stepped inside without waiting for an invitation.

"How are you settling in?" he asked, his tone casual but distant. "Fine," I replied, keeping my answers short.

"Good. We have an event to attend tomorrow. I'll have someone bring you a dress." I nodded, unsure of what else to say.

He lingered for a moment, as if he wanted to say more, but then turned and left.

As I lay in bed that night, staring at the ornate chandelier above me, I couldn't shake the feeling that my life

was no longer my own. I had signed up for this to secure a future for Jason, but now that I was here, I couldn't help but wonder if I had made a mistake.

What had I gotten myself into?

Cliffhanger: What awaits Sarah at the event? And is Rex hiding something behind his cold demeanor?