CONTRACT BRIDE FOR THE DEVIL

Maria's POV

Dear skies, just this once... I need your help.

"So, Maria," the hiring manager, Mr. Conway, skimmed my resume with zero enthusiasm. "You applied for the receptionist position, correct?"

I nodded, forcing a smile. My sweaty palms clutched tight to my file. "Yes, I'm great with organization, and-"

"Mm-hmm," he interrupted, setting my resume aside. "It's just-our receptionists have to maintain a certain image. Polished. Professional. Fit."

Fit.

There it was.

My face burned, but I kept my voice even. "I'm more than capable of handling the job."

He gave me that pitying smile again. "I'm sure you are."

Then he reached for another file-already done with me.

Panic bubbled in my throat. I needed this job. "Please. Just give me a chance."

He exhaled through his nose, like I was exhausting him. "We do have openings in janitorial services. If you're interested."

My heart dropped.

Janitorial.

He was telling me I was too fat to sit at a damn desk but maybe, just maybe, I could push a mop around.

"Next." He set down the landline.

I stood up, humiliated.

Right now, I needed a shoulder... anything to ease my rage. I needed Luka, my gorgeous boyfriend who loved me for me.

He always knew what to say. He'd wrap his arms around me, tell me I was amazing. I'd melt in his arms and pretend everything was fine.

Luka lived in a fancy apartment downtown. He wasn't super rich, but he came from money. He liked to pretend he struggled, but I knew better. I had been struggling my whole life.

I took the stairs instead of the elevator, needing the extra time to calm down.

Surprisingly, the door was unlocked.

"Luka?" I called, stepping inside.

The place was dark, the air thick with the scent of wine and perfume. My stomach twisted.

A low moan echoed from the bedroom.

I froze.

No. No, no, no.

My body moved on autopilot. My feet carried me forward, towards the sound.

His bedroom?!

The door was half open. I pushed it wider.

And there he was.

Luka. Naked. On top of another woman.

The woman turned her head, a lazy smirk on her lips. Blonde and Gorgeous.

Sophie.

His friend from college.

The one he told me not to worry about.

Luka turned his head, completely unfazed. "Shit. You weren't supposed to see this."

I couldn't breathe. My whole body shook.

Luka ran a hand through his messy hair, looking more annoyed than guilty. "Look, Maria, let's not make this a big deal."

Not a big-

I choked on a laugh, my vision blurring. "We've been together for two years"

He sighed, like I was the one being unreasonable. "And it was nice. But let's be real, Maria. You're-" He paused, then shrugged. "A lot."

I blinked. "A lot?"

Sophie snickered. "That's an understatement."

I turned on her. "Shut the fuck up."

She raised her hands in mock innocence. "Hey, don't be mad at me. I'm not the one he got bored of."

Luka groaned. "Can you not?" He looked at me. "Listen, babe-"

"Don't fucking babe me you asshole."

He rolled his eyes. "Fine. Maria. You're sweet, okay? But you're-how do I put this nicely?-a goddamn charity case. And I need a woman who actually fits my lifestyle."

The words hit like a slap.

I stumbled back, ears ringing.

"You're disgusting," I whispered.

I turned and ran.

How could he do this to me?

Two years. Two freaking years. And this is how it ends?

I walked through the streets, tears streaming down my face. I wanted to scream. To break something. I had nothing left.

No job. No money. No home.

And now, no Luka.

I reached for my phone with shaking hands. Susan. My only friend. She'd know what to do. She always knew what to do.

The phone rang once. Twice.

Then straight to voicemail.

A fresh wave of despair crashed over me.

I kept walking until I found myself on the old bridge. The river below was dark and endless. A memory hit me like a punch to the gut.

**Five years ago.**

My parents' laughter filled the car as we drove home from dinner. It was one of those rare nights when everything felt perfect. Then-screeching tires. Headlights. A loud crash.

And just like that, they were gone.

The media covered it for a day, then buried it. The Walkers-the powerful, untouchable Walkers-had lost their lives in the accident. And my parents? They became the villains. Reckless. Irresponsible. The ones to blame.

I was twelve. Alone and miserable.

And now, standing on this bridge, my head spun with dark thoughts.

I climbed onto the ledge, my breath hitching. My fingers curled around the railing.

"MARIA!"

I turned just as Susan my best friend came running toward me, her face pale with panic. Her chest rising and falling rapidly. Had she run all the way here? How did she even know where I was?

"What the hell are you doing!?" she shouted, skidding to a stop just a few feet away. Her eyes wild with fear.

"I can't do this anymore, Sue." My voice was hoarse, barely above a whisper.

Susan's face twisted with fear. She took a cautious step forward, her hands slowly lifting, as if I were a wild animal about to bolt.

"Maria, please. Just get down, okay? We can talk. Whatever's going on, we'll figure it out. But not like this." Susan's eyes darted from me to the rushing water below.

I shook my head violently, fresh tears spilling down my cheeks. "No Sue. I keep telling myself that everything will be fine. I keep hoping-but things just keep getting worse." My fingers dug into my palms as I struggled to breathe.

"And now Luka-" I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to push the image from my mind.

"Listen to me..." She inched closer. "One last time. Please."

I hesitated and sighed.

Slowly, I turned toward her and reached out. My fingers trembled as they met hers. Susan grasped my hand tightly, her grip firm, reassuring. A flicker of hope crossed her face.

And then-

My foot slipped.

A startled gasp escaped my lips as I lost my balance. My other hand shot out, trying to grab something-anything-but there was nothing to hold onto.

Susan's eyes widened in horror as my weight pulled her forward. Her grip tightened for a split second-just enough for me to think she had me-

But then-

Her hand slipped off.

The world tilted.

A scream tore from my throat as I plunged backward into the dark water.