The Contract: Married for a Year.
Cara Thompson, a beautiful, young damsel who works as a janitor in a substantial movie studio is met with a tragic dilemma when her widowed mother is struck with a chronic heart disease. She is stranded as the aliment costs a fortune to treat. To save her poor mother, she sells herself to a wealthy and charming billionaire, Dom Harrington, who turned out to be her best friend's partner. Cara is overwhelmed with guilt when she finds out about this but was annoyed when she learned that it was all a scheme laid out by her best friend, Scarlett, to assist her with her problems. In a series of twists and events, Cara discovers that she is pregnant resulting from the sudden intimate scandal with Dom. She is plunged into a whirlwind of confusion and chaos when she is urged by Dom's mother to keep the child against her wish. Meanwhile, Dom proposes a contract marriage that would last for a year to satisfy his mother's desire to have grandchildren, and also allow Clara's mother to get access to quality medical treatments. Without much of a choice, she agrees to the deal for her mother's sake. In the course of their contractual marriage journey, Dom finds himself falling hopelessly in love with Cara and when the contract expires, he sets his heart out on keeping their relationship forever.
Marriage of convenience.
Upon receiving a frantic call from her mother, Cara Thompson hurried back to the hospital, her heart filled with a mix of worry and anticipation. Pushing open the door to her mother's room, she was met with an unexpected sight. Her mother lay in the hospital bed, wearing a serene expression as she looked towards someone standing beside her.
"Cara, dear, please come in," her mother beckoned weakly, with a faint smile.
Cara's eyes widened in surprise as she laid eyes on Dom standing there, dressed in a crisp tuxedo and exuding confidence.
"What's happening here, Mom? Why is he here?" Cara asked, her voice reflecting a blend of confusion and concern.
Stepping closer, Dom locked eyes with Cara.
"I've been looking after your mother, Cara. She required specialized care and top-tier medical attention, and I ensured she received it," he explained earnestly.
Cara glanced back and forth between Dom and her mother, attempting to comprehend the situation.
"Cara, my dear... this young man here has informed me of everything. He shared with me about your pregnancy."
As soon as those words left her mother's lips, Cara's eyes widened in shock. Her gaze fleetingly shifted towards Dominic, her face displaying a mix of anger.
"Dominic...!" She attempted to speak, but only a whisper escaped her lips.
"Mother, please... let me explain...!"
Cara hurried to her mother's side, but Patricia raised a hand to halt her.
"Cara, I'm not angry with you. You're an adult, and I trust you to make your own decisions. I want you to find happiness. You see, I'm old and nearing the end of my life. I don't want to burden you with my troubles," she said, gently placing her hand on Cara's and offering a sweet smile, which brought some relief to Cara, although she remained concerned for her mother. She was determined to ensure her mother did not believe she had been involved with multiple men.
"What gives you the right to meddle in my family affairs?!" she exclaimed, visibly furious. "And why did you transfer her to a different ward? Why... Why did you claim to be the father of my child?" Cara's voice trailed off, disbelief evident in her words.
Dominic simply chuckled, remaining unaffected by her protests.
"Are you going to deny the truth? Cara, let's face reality. Your mother needs high medical attention, and I can provide it. I've already covered all the expenses. The doctors will ensure her well-being, and you no longer need to worry about the financial burden. I did all this for a modest fee. We had discussed this previously, hadn't we?" he inquired, arching an eyebrow as Cara clenched her jaw.
"Cara, my dear, I understand this is all quite sudden and surprising. But Dom has been a blessing to us. He's offered to take care of all the hospital expenses, and we both know we couldn't manage that even if you worked the entire year. And now... now he's willing to do even more," her mother explained, locking eyes with Cara.
With a furrowed brow, she glanced at Dominic before turning her gaze back to her mother.
Her mother reached out and grasped Cara's hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "Cara, my dear, my time may be limited. I worry about leaving you alone in this world. Dom has shown us kindness and understanding when we needed it most. Please, think about his proposal for all of our sakes," her mother whispered, tears shimmering in her eyes.
Feeling at a loss for words, Cara simply offered her mother a reassuring smile.
"I'd like to have a word with you outside if you don't mind," she said through clenched teeth, and Dom nodded in agreement.
"Explain yourself, Dom. Why would you make such a suggestion to my mother without even consulting me first?" she demanded as they exited the room, frustration evident in her voice.
Dom raised his hands in a calming gesture, his expression sincere.
"Please, rest assured, this arrangement of a contract marriage is not intended to harm you or coerce you into anything against your will. It's primarily about ensuring the well-being of your mother and fulfilling my family's wish for grandchildren. It's a beneficial arrangement, can't you see? Your mother will receive the care and resources she requires, while mine will have the grandchildren she longs for," he clarified, his voice unwavering.
Cara furrowed her brow, maintaining her skepticism toward his intentions.
"Why choose me, then? Why propose marriage to me when you already have a girlfriend, Scarlett Johnson?" she inquired, searching his eyes for any hint of deceit.
With a sigh, Dom locked eyes with Cara, frustration evident in his gaze.
"Scarlett and I broke up a month ago. This marriage proposal has nothing to do with her. It's solely about assisting you and my mother through this challenging time. It's a temporary arrangement, just for a year. Once that period is over, we can part ways," he explained, his words hanging in the air.
Cara hesitated, her mind swirling with conflicting thoughts and emotions. The idea of marrying a virtual stranger for the sake of her mother felt both surreal and selfless. As she gazed through the glass wall at her mother, who returned her gaze with pleading eyes, silently urging her to consider Dom's offer.
Following a moment of tense silence, Cara eventually spoke, her voice laced with resignation.
"Very well, Dom. I will consent to this marriage, but only for the sake of my mother. I want it to be explicitly clear that this arrangement is purely a business deal to you," she asserted firmly, her resolve evident in her set jaw.
Dom nodded, a flicker of relief passing over his features.
"Of course, Cara. I understand your concerns and I respect your decision. This marriage will be treated as a contractual agreement, nothing more. We will ensure your mother receives the care she requires, and both of you will have access to the wealth and resources of my family," he promised, his tone gentle yet firm.
'I can't believe I'm going through with this...'
Cara let out a deep sigh, closing her eyes briefly before reopening them to gaze at Dominic with a hint of resolve shining through.
"Okay. So, where do I need to sign?"