Camelia POV

"Are you Mrs. Camelia?" One of the men on black suits asked me. I shook my head trying to process the chaos before me. "No, I'm not..." I stammered, wincing as the pain from the slap radiated through my cheek. Remembering that I'd just been divorced, I corrected myself. "I'm Camelia."

'"Father, what's going on? What collateral are you talking about? And who are these men?" I demanded, trying to keep my voice steady.

"What do you mean by you're not Mrs Camelia"? He shunned at me, avoiding my questions. I felt a sting of shame but there was no need to hide it. "Brady divorced me" I broke the news, holding back my tears not to show any weakness.

"Divorce??" He screamed.

"You went against my advice and married that wretched being and now he has divorced you!"

"I'm sure you took out that loan for him, using my house as collateral"! He spat.

"Father," I muttered as my heart dropped. I wasn't expecting him to sympathise with me but at least he should have asked what happened.

"You can be useless alone!, but you won't drag me and your sister into your foolishness", he added.

"What loan?" I asked dumbfounded by my father's words and accusations.

"You would know very soon," he said, turning to the men in suits who have been watching our family vendetta.

"This is the person you've been waiting for". "You can do whatever you want with her", he said, handing me over like a possession. "Make sure she pays back every dime she has collected," he added, and "I sever any tie I have with you, until you pay back that money!"

"Are you disowning me, Father?" I asked him with my voice shaking.

"Don't call me that" he yelled, sending shivers down my spine.

"How can you do this?" I pleaded, my voice cracking. "Without even listening to my side of the story? Without even trying to understand?"

"I don't want to hear your lame excuses!' He growled. "I'm glad your mother isn't alive to see the shame you've brought upon our family" he said, turning his back at me.

The men in suits stepped forward, their eyes cold and unyielding. "Enter into this car!" one of them demanded showing me a way into a tinted luxurious car.

I dug my heels into the ground, refusing to budge. "I'm not going anywhere!" I spat, trying to shake off the men in suits who attempted to drag me towards the car. But I couldn't shake them off, they were too strong. They grabbed me, one on each arm, and pulled me inside the vehicle. I kicked and struggled, but they held me firm.

"What's going on?" I demanded, my voice hoarse with fear and confusion. "Nobody's explaining anything!". But nobody gave me a reply.

To my greatest surprise My father and Lily stood on the sidewalk, watching the scene unfold without doing anything . For a moment, I forgot about the divorce, the betrayal, and the heartbreak. All I could think about was the fact that my own family was abandoning me as the car screeched away from the curb, leaving my father and Lily in a cloud of dust. I sobbed uncontrollably, my body shaking with rage and fear.

"What is this all about?" I screamed at the men, but they just stared straight ahead. I tried to open the door, to make a desperate bid for freedom, but one of the men grabbed my hand and pulled it back. His grip was like a vice, and I cried out in pain.

The car sped through the streets until it finally came to a stop in front of a building. The men dragged me out, their hands still gripping my arms like steel cuffs.

I stumbled, my legs weak,as they finally freed my hands, I looked up at the building and the name read CHARLIE'S MORTGAGE & INVESTMENT.

"What do you want from me?" I spat, my voice echoing off the walls.

But there was no answer. Just the sound of the car driving away.

As they propelled me to move into the building, a message popped on my phone, I looked at the screen and it was Brady. I unlocked my phone with my heart racing in anticipation.

"I'm sure you didn't see that coming, Camelia," the message read.

My hands shook as I quickly opened the next message. It was a picture of a loan agreement, and my signature stared back at me like a betrayal.

"No, no, no," I whispered, my mind reeling with horror. And then, the final blow came: "Enjoy your time paying off the loan." The message was followed by a blocked notification.

It hit me like a ton of bricks: Brady had tricked me into collecting a loan. I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. I wanted to scream, to rage against the world, but we were already inside the building.

I took a deep breath, trying to compose myself, but my mind was still reeling. "How could he do this to me?".

********

"Here she is," one of the men said to a fat, round man lounged in his chair, a smile spread across his face. "Is she the one we've been looking for?" he asked, standing up from the chair.

"Yes, sir," the man who had dragged me in replied, pushing me forward like a prisoner.

The round man's eyes lit up with excitement as he took a few steps towards me. "Young lady," he said, his voice low and menacing. "Do you have my money?"

I stood frozen, my heart pounding in my chest. I know exactly what is happening, and I know I was in grave danger. The round man's face turned red with rage. "Are you deaf?" he thundered, slamming his fist on the table, making me jump.

"Do you have my money?" He barked.

I swallowed hard, trying to find my voice. "N-no, sir," I stuttered, my body shaking like a leaf. "Not yet, sir."

His eyes flashed. "Not yet?" he repeated, his voice dripping with venom. "Do you know what I don't joke with?"

I shook my head, my eyes fixed on the floor.

"My money," he spat, "and my business." A voice chorused from the back.

"Uncle Charlie" the voice called out letting out a sarcastic laugh. What's funny? He asked, turning to the man.

A young man stepped forward, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "I've told you to leave this line of business," he said.

"But you've refused. Do you have fun pestering people for your money?" He laughed again.

As the drama unfolded, I caught myself stealing glances at the young man's chiseled features, his well-trimmed beard, and his luxurious outfit. He was hot, and I couldn't deny the flutter in my chest.

"Camelia what are you thinking about?" I asked myself, jolting myself back to reality. I had to stay focused if I wanted to survive.

"It's fun seeing people make hasty decisions when they're in need," he sneered, "and then they're in a dilemma when it's time to pay back" he added, giving me a long stare.

"Stop standing there and sit!," he barked at me, pointing to a couch at the corner of the room. I sluggishly made my way over to the couch, my legs heavy with shame.

The fat, round man turned to him, his voice booming across the room, "Henry, what brings you here today?"

"You're yet to go through the documents I sent to your mail, Uncle Charlie," he said, his eyes locked onto the older man's.

"Father said I should seek your approval before releasing money for the building materials of the new shopping mall," Henry added.

"Ooh... that? Come into the office, let's talk" he said, leading Henry to the office. Henry's eye lingered on me for a moment before he turned to follow his uncle.

"But what's her story"? He whispered to him as they moved away. "Why are you interested in knowing her story?" His Uncle shunned back at him. "Let's focus on the task at hand," he added.

"How's Lydia?" He chirped in diverting Henry's attention from my situation and their voices faded as they entered the office.

*****

I took out my phone to call Brady again as I awaited my fate, but his number did not go through, a reminder that he has blocked me, I glanced around the unfamiliar environment and some group of men were at the end of the room stacking cash into a briefcase, while people bustled in and out of the room.

"How did I land myself in an unknown debt? I thought as chills went down my spine and how was I supposed to pay it off? I don't even have a job!

Just then the office door creaked open and uncle Charlie's voice drifted out. "Are you sure about this, Henry?".

"I have never been so sure in my life" he responded as the door closed behind them.

"That was a fast meeting" I muttered to myself, dabbing my tears with a crumpled tissue as my heart dropped, reminding me that we have to continue from where we left off.

But strangely, he walked away leaving me with Mr. Henry, before I could process what was happening, Mr Henry's voice cut through the silence sending chills down my spine.

"Marry me and I'll clear your debt".

I swallowed hard to find my voice. "What?" I asked my voice barely above a whisper. "Are... you talking to me" I stuttered as I stood up from the couch where I was sitting.

But he took a step forward covering the gap between us.

"You heard me correctly, Camelia".

"Marry me, Camelia, and I'll clear your debt."

Henry's POV

"You won't walk out on me!". My mother Mrs Raymond screamed, I've always called her that, I literally grew up without her, and now she wants to force a marriage I don't want down my throat!.

"I'll get to make that decision, I don't know what relationship you're trying to create between both families but I'm not getting married to Lydia" and "that's final!" I uttered walking out on her.

"Henry! Stop right there". she barked but I kept walking to the door.

"How's the search going?" I asked Gabriel, my personal assistant, as I stepped out of the house.

"None that fits your description sir" he replied, opening the car door.

"What exactly have you been doing Gabriel?"

"You know what? just get me any girl, any one at all, that I can use to escape Mrs Raymond claws." "And be fast about it!" I snapped, settling inside one of my luxurious cars.

"Alright sir" he replied, shutting the car door.

I drummed my fingers on the armrest, my mind racing with impatience. "I wonder why Gabriel hasn't found anyone yet," I muttered, raking my hand through my hair.

Gabriel began explaining our destination, "We are headed to your uncle's office for the".... "Just drive," I replied , cutting him off.

****

Here I was at my uncle's office with an opportunity providing itself "a way to get off Mrs Raymond claws". With this brief history I was convinced this was my way out. It's shameful that her husband left her after she took out a loan for him. But I didn't care.

"Uncle Charlie, can you let her go?" I muttered. "Let her go?" He repeated.

"Do you think I am running a charity organisation here? He snapped. "I'll collect every penny from her including the interest" he scoffed. "And why would you even suggest that Henry?" He asked, giving me a long stare.

I didn't give him a response. I know it was a bad idea asking him to do such, he wouldn't let his money go just like that. "I wonder why my father is still running business deals with him" I whispered in a way that he wouldn't hear me.

I took out my phone and called Gabriel.

"Hello sir" he answered, his voice crisp and alert.

"Yes Gabriel", I said with a firm tone.

"I need information about Camelia Roy. I want to know about her family, her education, her past relationships- every detail, no matter how insignificant."

" I want it before the day ends" I emphasized with my eyes locked on Uncle Charlie's curious face.

"Okay sir", he replied "and you can stop with your search", I added before hanging up.

"What are you doing with her personal information?" Uncle Charlie asked, his eye brow furrowed in concern.

I couldn't think of anything, more than offering her a proposal. She was in desperate need and I knew she needed help.

"Who would turn down such an offer?"I thought.

"Uncle Charlie, I want to pay Camelia's debt." I uttered.

What?? He snapped. " Why would you want to help someone that you don't even know?".

"She has something I need," I replied .

His eyes widened in shock. "Something you need?," he repeated. I could tell he was trying to understand what I was saying. But I wasn't going to mention my true intentions to him.

"Are you serious about paying off her debt, Henry?" He asked.

"Yes I am, Can you keep this away from the family for now?" I urged him since he is known for having a big mouth.

"At least till I tell them myself?"

Does she know?" he asked, his gaze piercing. "About your family's empire? The corporations, the wealth...?".

I know I had to shut him up by sweetening the deal, "I'll give you more money". I chipped in, and I watched his lips grin from side to side. I know how much he loved money "more like an obsession".

"Of course" he replied, "anything for you my dearest nephew" he replied rubbing his hands together. "So when would you make the payment?" he asked glaringly.

"You have nothing to worry about uncle, it's just five hundred thousand dollars, I'll have my accountant make the transfer" I answered him. "I trust you" he said smiling sheepishly as he hummed out of the office and I followed behind him.

Camelia's POV

"Marry you?" I repeated, my voice shaking and tears pricking at the corners of my eyes.

"Did your uncle sell me out to you?" I demanded, "Was I looking that desperate?" I sighed, taking a look at myself.

He remained calm, but I sensed some kind of feeling from his face- amusement, perhaps, or even sympathy. "It's going to be a contract, Miss Camelia," he explained, his voice low and soothing. "A contract that would benefit us both."

" This had to be some kind of sick joke"! I shrieked, staring at him in disbelief. My life had been a rollercoaster lately, but this was the most shocking twist of all. "I'm not some damsel in distress who's going to jump at the first offer that comes her way!" " I snapped, salvaging the rest of my pride. But deep down I knew I needed rescuing.

"Mr Henry" I could already tell his name "What do you know about me?" I said with my voice rising.

Not much," he admitted, "but with what I know, I'm sure I'm your last bet Miss Camelia".

His words cut deep like a knife, but he wasn't wrong. I was desperate, and he knew it.

They were a few eyes watching but I doubt they knew the content of our conversation, but I didn't care!.

I turned to leave, without giving his proposal any thought, but my feet faltered at the door. "Go where?" There was nowhere left to run.

Panic set in, and my heart began racing with memories of my struggles flooding my mind,

How could I even consider marrying a stranger just to pay off a debt that wasn't even mine? The thought was crazy, yet..."This maybe my only way out"

I hesitated, with my hand on the door handle leaving me with my last option. I turned to face Henry, my eyes searching for any sign of deceit, but all I saw was a calm man.

I would accept his proposal, i just want to get out of this mess, I said walking to where he was. I could feel the weight of my decision settling in. My heart racing, I stopped in front of him, my eyes locked on his.

"I'll do it," I said. "I'll be your fake wife."

Very good, Camelia." he said as his lips curled up in a smile. "I'll have my assistant bring the papers," he muttered, signaling a thumb snap to a young man standing by the door.I watched as the man dashed out.

You don't have to panic, Miss Camelia. "I only want to avoid a marriage and the lady in question..." he paused, "there'll be no emotions attached" he continued, it's purely business "he smirked.

"You only have to act as my wife for a year till I'm off Mrs Raymond claws". He added adjusting his wristwatch. "If you play your role really well I'll pay you off with any amount you want," he added.

It was obvious that he is rich, but who is Mrs Raymond?...."I thought".

The man that dashed out came running with some papers. "Thank you Gabriel," he said, collecting the papers from him.

"Go through the contract," he said, handing me the papers.

The contract was just as he explained.... "No feelings attached, No kids, No physical contact except in dire situations". Chills ran down my spine as I picked up the pen, my hand trembling slightly as I signed my name. I was divorced a while ago and now I'm in a fake marriage "can life be any cruel"?.

"What's next?" I asked him as he took the contract with his eyes gleaming.

"Call me tomorrow," he said, giving me a paper with his number scribbled on it. "I'll have Gabriel pick you up and drop you at home".

"Home" the word felt new again. I nodded, taking the paper from him. "Why did he give me a paper and not a card?" I thought, maybe he wasn't with any I concluded.

I'll take my leave now, Miss Camelia," he murmured, breaking into my thoughts.

As I watched him walk away, a sudden realization struck me.

"Mr. Henry!" I called out, my voice tingling with desperation.

He paused, turning back to face me..

"I was wondering...if it's possible...could I get somewhere to stay tonight?" I stuttered, my eyes fixed on the floor as I nervously fidgeted with my fingers.

"Gabriel would sort that out. Make sure you get a comfortable place for her to stay", he replied without giving it any thought.

"Right away sir," Gabriel replied.

Madame, please follow me," he said, bowing slightly".

"You can go with him," he said. "He is my personal assistant and also a friend," he concluded.

I tried walking but my legs felt weak and feeble, refusing to budge. The room started spinning, and colors blurring together in a whirl. Everywhere suddenly became dark, and I could only hear voice echoes from a distance which made my head spin. I stumbled, my knees buckling beneath me, and I felt myself collapsing to the ground.

"Camelia! Camelia!" Henry's voice echoed from afar, running towards me. I tried to respond, but my voice was trapped in my throat. My eyelids fluttered, and then finally, they shut out.

Henry POV

"Where am I"? She asked, opening her eyes after six hours of being semi conscious. I jolted up from where I had dozed off on the hospital bed,the antiseptic scent of the hospital filling my nostrils.

You're finally awake...!" I exhaled, relief washing over me. "Are you in pain? How are you feeling now?..." My voice cracked with worry.

"Why am I here?I only remembered being in your uncle's office", she stated.

"You passed out Camelia, But the doctor said it was just stress and your blood pressure is also elevated and it needs to be controlled", I explained as I continued rubbing off sleep from my eyes." You'll also need a lot of rest", I added.

She only nodded without saying a word and started crying. "Can we leave the hospital"? she asked, sobbing. "It only brings horrible memories", she sobbed. "Please I'm begging you, she said clenching onto her chest like it was hurting.

I had no idea on how to console her. I have never been in such a position before. I only understand that she wants to leave the hospital. But Gabriel interrupted my thoughts.

"A call for you sir" he said, And who could that be? I asked.

"It's"...he took a pause for a few seconds. "Who Grabiel?" I asked , clenching my teeth.

"It's Lydia sir" he finally answered. Hang up! I shunned without giving it a second thought. "And don't disturb me over such measly calls!" I snapped at him. Camelia was still sitting on the bed all shaken. I couldn't think of what to do. I've never taken care of anyone before. It has always been the other way round.

"Prepare the car, we are taking her home" I said to Gabriel, "but before that get the discharge summary and her medications" I added, or better still.... I said, having a second thought.

"Don't worry about preparing the car, give me the keys, I'll take her home".

Sir?? Gabriel stammered.

"Is there a problem Gabriel?" I could tell what was on his mind, it was strange I was behaving this way, but I only felt pity for her.

"No sir", he replied, handing over the keys to me.

I stretched out my arm and collected the key from him and he went to the doctor to prepare the discharge note.

I assisted her from the hospital bed, and we made our way out of the room to the reception. "Sir, you'll need to sign the discharge note, the nurse whispered to me".

"Can't my assistant do that?" I muttered.

"No sir, her guardian has to," she replied.

"Give me a minute" I said as I gently placed Camelia on a chair so she could sit while I sign the note.

"Where am I signing?" I asked the nurse.

"The note would be ready in a minute or two sir," she replied. The note wasn't even ready, I glared at them and looked at my wrist watch. It was already 9am, I stole a glance at Camelia, but she looked distorted.

"Here is it sir" the nurse said, calling my attention. "You're signing here" she said pointing to a blank box on the note. I dipped my hands into my pocket to look for a pen but I couldn't find one. "Can I get a pen?" I asked the nurse. Yes sir, she said, scrambling the table to look for one.

*****

"Look who we have here" a female voice echoed from behind, "Camelia is that you?" You look like you've been through a lot she said, letting out a mild laugh.

I turned around to get a glance of who was talking but the nurse already found a pen. "Let me quickly sign", I said , grabbing the pen from her. What I heard next was a scream, the strange woman had pushed Camelia to the floor.

"What are you doing?" I barked, running towards where Camelia was.

"And who are you?" She smirked as her eyes hovered around me.

At this point people had already gathered, including the security officers.

"Why would you push a sick person to the floor?" I barked, lifting Camelia from the floor.

Are you fine? I asked her.

I could only see Camelia's cheek burning red as she tried to withhold her tears.

And the strange woman interrupted me again, I was losing my patience already!

"Wow, so you've gotten another man?" Camelia, she continued. "You're really something, I've always known you never loved Brady as you claimed, I'm happy he finally let you go". Now he'll get a chance to enjoy true love! She added.

"Or wait did you sleep with him"? She shrieked.

"You little whore! I've always known your true colours would show one day!". "You don't deserve Brady", which is why I'll help you take good care of him, she giggled touching her belly.

I don't know what this chaos was all about but I just wanted it to end.

"You won't speak to my wife that way!" I barked.

"Would you just stand and watch her insult a sick lady in this manner?" I said turning to the security officers.

I could see the shock on Camelia's face when I mentioned "my wife", but I ignored her look.

"Don't touch me," she barked as the security officers tried to propel her out of the hospital. " I'll go out on my own, I'm pregnant," she added.

"Is that why she is behaving like a maniac?" I thought, but I'm sure that the two ladies know themselves.

"As for you Camelia, I'll let everyone know what you've been doing" she hissed, walking away with the security officers behind her.

Come here, let's go home, I said, offering Camelia my hands to grab on, which she actually did.

"Here are the medications," Gabriel muttered from a distance as he walked towards us.

"Take us home," I said, handing the car keys over to him.

"Right away sir" he replied as he led the way out of the hospital.

*******

Camelia POV

As I sat at the back seat of the car with Henry my mind reeled about the event that had taken place, I stayed mute as shock took over me, I wiped off my tears with the back of my palm. What has come over Maddie? and why would even go to this extent. "She wants Brady, Now she has him, why won't she let me be!."

"We are here" Henry said as the car finally came to a stop at the front of a mansion.

"Let me help you Camelia", he said , offering his hands to help me get down out of the car. A little blush covered my face as I remembered he called me his wife when he was talking with Maddie earlier.

"Why are you not asking me any questions?" I asked him as I finally got out of the car. "You can tell whatever later, after you get enough rest." You really look like a mess right now he said , letting out a subtle smile as we walked into the building.

I was struck by the grandeur of the building before us. A majestic fountain standing at the entrance, its unique design unlike anything I'd seen in Washington D.C. There were people in black and white uniform going to and fro, all of them greeted us with their courteous smiles as we passed, which made me question who he really was. "They are my workers," he said, noticing the confused look on my face. I nodded with a grin.

As we entered the house a maid in uniform walked up to him and whispered something into his ears, I couldn't tell what it was but his expression changed, "what is she doing here?" he said as he stormed inside, I followed him looking confused.

But all I saw was a tall beautiful lady in her mid 20s with her exquisite dress sitting on the sofa.

"Where have you been Henry? And why have you been avoiding my calls?" She shrieked,

"When did you come back? And Why are you here?" Henry asked her.

"Because you've been avoiding me or is that not obvious?" She barked.

Henry gave his head a little massage "Please Lydia don't start, I've had enough for this morning!

"And who is she?" She asked, looking at my direction as she smirked.

"Ooh...Lydia I said recalling, the lady from the call he ignored earlier". I don't know who she was but I could tell he doesn't want to be in the same space with her.

It was time to play my part of the deal.

I strolled to where Henry was standing and grabbed his hands as I looked into his eyes.

"I am his wife," I uttered.