Chapter 1; The Bargain

"You don't have a choice, Ms. Kim," Aaron Yu said, his voice calm but cold.

Claire sat stiffly in the chair, her hands clenched in her lap as she gazed at Aaron, who was leisurely leaning back in his chair. His piercing gaze seemed to pierce her soul, sharp and cutting like a blade.

Her jaw tightened at his words. "I've already made myself clear. I'm not going to do it," she murmured.

Aaron chuckled, a low, mocking sound. "Do you really think you can bargain with me? I know you desperately need the money. You're... drowning," he mocked.

"If you think I'll lower my principles just because I'm in need of money, you're wrong. You're insane to think I'll agree to marry your half-brother and ruin his life just so you can take over the company," she shot back, her tone firm.

Aaron's smirk widened. "Insane? No, dear. Leon stole everything that should have been mine. I'm just giving him a little taste of his own medicine. He should know how it feels to lose everything. And since I can't destroy him outright, that's where you come in." His voice grew colder with each word.

Still, Claire refused to back down. She shook her head and stood up. "I'm sorry, but find someone else. I won't do it," she said and turned to leave.

Aaron's eyes darkened, his voice dropping to a deadly whisper. "If you don't, your mom will die."

Claire froze in her tracks, horror flashing in her eyes as she turned to him.

"I know about the piling hospital bills. You can barely afford to keep her alive," Aaron added smugly.

Claire's hands clenched into fists as she heard his mocking words. "I'll find a way," she replied, masking her fear.

"Okay, dear, but if you don't—which I'm sure you won't—call me," he said smugly, handing her his contact card. His confidence left her frozen in place.

Her heart pounded as she stared at the card. Ever since her adoptive mom was diagnosed with leukemia, Claire had tried to remain strong, never shedding a tear while looking for ways to help her.

Luna Kim, her adoptive mother, was once a vibrant woman who sacrificed so much for Claire to give her education,a home and a future. Now, Luna was fighting for her life.

Claire wiped her tears as she stepped out of the restaurant, determined not to cry. She needed to fight for the woman who gave her everything.

As she walked to the bus stop, her phone rang. She hesitated before answering.

"Another rejection," her agent said bluntly.

Claire's heart sank. She knew the entertainment industry required strong connections, and raw talent alone wasn't enough to break through.

"Please keep trying," she begged, ending the call with trembling hands.

At the hospital, Claire was about to enter Luna's ward when the doctor called her into his office.

"Good day, Ms. Kim," he began gently. "I wanted to inform you that the free clinical trial for your mom's treatment has ended. Moving forward, cancer patients will need to pay 3 million monthly for their treatment."

Claire felt the weight of his words crush her. She didn't even have half that amount.

"Doctor," she began, her voice quivering, "I have one million saved. Can we work something out?"

The doctor's expression softened with pity. "You can bring the one million, but we'll need at least two million more by the end of the week. Otherwise, we'll have no choice but to stop her treatment."

Claire nodded, thanking him, and left to see her mom.

Seeing Luna lying weakly on the hospital bed broke her heart. Tears welled up in Claire's eyes as she watched the woman who had been her rock fading away before her.

Unable to hold back anymore, Claire broke down in tears. She sobbed quietly, overwhelmed by the weight of her helplessness.

Her gaze fell on her bag, and she noticed the black card Aaron had given her. Her pride screamed at her to throw it away, but the harsh reality of her mother's condition gnawed at her resolve.

She picked up the card and stared at it for a long time. Her trembling hands grabbed her phone, and she dialed the number.

The line rang twice before Aaron's voice came through, smooth and smug. "I knew you'd call, sweetie," he mocked.

Claire clenched her dress tightly in her hand, closing her eyes as fresh tears streamed down her cheeks. "I'll do it," she whispered.

"Good choice, Ms. Kim. I'll make sure your mom is taken care of starting tomorrow. Meet me at the same café. Welcome to the beginning of your new life. You won't regret it," he said, satisfaction dripping from his cold tone.

Claire hung up without another word, her body trembling with sobs.

She wasn't doing this for herself. She was doing it for her mother.

But as the weight of her decision settled, one thought echoed in her mind:

'What have I done?'