Chapter 4: The Visit

Alexander Whitmore stood in front of the modest apartment building, a bouquet of flowers in one hand and a gift bag in the other. This was a far cry from the opulence of the Whitmore estate, but Alexander had come prepared. He wanted to make a good impression on Elena's mother, knowing how important she was to Elena. Taking a deep breath, he knocked on the door.

Elena opened it, looking slightly nervous but determined. "Come in," she said, stepping aside to let him enter.

The apartment was small but tidy, a testament to Elena's hard work and care. The scent of homemade soup filled the air, a stark contrast to the sterile environment Alexander was used to. He followed Elena into the living room, where her mother was sitting on the couch, wrapped in a blanket.

"Mom, this is Alexander," Elena said, her voice a mix of excitement and apprehension. "My boyfriend."

Alexander stepped forward, offering the bouquet. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Carter."

Elena's mother, a frail woman with kind eyes, smiled warmly as she accepted the flowers. "Oh, what a handsome young man. Please, call me Margaret."

Alexander smiled, setting the gift bag down on the coffee table. "Thank you, Margaret. I brought a few things I thought you might enjoy."

Margaret's eyes sparkled with delight as she looked inside the bag. "You didn't have to do this, but thank you."

"It's my pleasure," Alexander said, glancing at Elena. "Elena's told me so much about you."

Margaret reached out and took Elena's hand, a tear slipping down her cheek. "I'm so happy to see you with someone who cares about you, Elena."

Alexander stepped closer, taking Margaret's other hand in his. "I promise you, Margaret, I will take good care of Elena and love her forever."

Margaret's tears of joy flowed freely. "You don't know what this means to me, Alexander. Thank you."

"There's more," Alexander said, his tone gentle but firm. "I want to make sure you get the best medical care possible. I'll cover all your medical expenses from now on."

Margaret gasped, her eyes wide with gratitude. "You're an angel, Alexander. Thank you, thank you so much."

Elena watched the exchange with a mixture of relief and amazement. She knew Alexander was doing this for his own reasons, but seeing her mother so happy made it feel real, if only for a moment.

After a while, Elena led Alexander to her room, closing the door behind them. The small space was decorated simply, with a few personal touches that made it cozy and inviting. She gestured for him to sit on the bed while she took a seat at her desk.

"Thank you for that," Elena said, her voice soft. "You made my mom very happy."

"I meant what I said," Alexander replied, his expression serious. "I'll make sure she gets the best care."

Elena nodded, feeling a surge of gratitude despite the unusual circumstances. "So, what do I need to know about your family?"

Alexander leaned back, his demeanor shifting from the warm charm he had shown Margaret to a more businesslike tone. "My family is… complicated. My father, James Whitmore, is a hard man. He built the Whitmore Empire from the ground up, and he expects nothing less than perfection from his children. He's given me this ultimatum because he believes a stable marriage will ensure the company's future."

"And your mother?" Elena asked, genuinely curious.

"Sarah Whitmore is a wonderful woman," Alexander said, a hint of affection in his voice. "She's always been supportive, but she's also under a lot of pressure from my father. She'll be happy to see me settling down, even if it's under these circumstances."

Elena absorbed this information, trying to picture the world Alexander came from. It was so different from her own life, filled with struggles and uncertainties.

"And your siblings?" she asked.

"I have a younger sister, Isabella. She's a bit of a wild card, always pushing boundaries," Alexander said with a faint smile. "But she has a good heart. Then there's my older brother, William. He's… well, let's just say we don't see eye to eye."

Elena nodded, understanding the complexity of Alexander's family dynamics. "So, what happens next?"

"We need to make this look convincing," Alexander said. "There will be public appearances, family events. We'll need to act like a real couple."

Elena felt a knot form in her stomach. "I understand. I'll do my best."

Alexander reached out, placing a reassuring hand on hers. "We'll get through this together. And remember, this is only temporary. After a year, we'll go our separate ways."

Elena took a deep breath, feeling a strange mix of emotions. "Alright. Let's do this."

As they sat in the small room, discussing the details of their arrangement, both of them couldn't help but wonder how this year would unfold and whether they were truly prepared for the challenges ahead.