Chapter 5 Desperate Measures

Annabel's POV

Mrs. Clarke's face hardened, her patience thinning. "That may be, Annabel, but Mr. Blake is also very wealthy and very charitable." She raised an eyebrow, her gaze piercing. "What's more important to you: your pride or your sister's life?"

My cheeks flushed with anger. "You can't seriously expect me to go begging to that man."

Mrs. Clarke sighed. "I'm not asking you to beg. Just to be persuasive." She leaned forward, her voice lowering.

"You're a smart woman, Annabel."

"You know what Mr. Blake wants, and what he wants, he usually gets. He's not a man to turn down a beautiful woman." Mrs. Clarke's gaze was calculating.

"It's up to you, of course. But if you want to save your sister, you need to decide how far you're willing to go."

I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. "You're suggesting I... I use myself as leverage? To sleep with him?"

Mrs. Clarke's expression remained unchanged. "I'm suggesting you use whatever means necessary."

My mind raced. I knew what Mrs. Clarke was saying was true, but the thought of selling myself, even to save my sister, made me feel sick.

"I can't do that," I said, my voice trembling. "I won't compromise myself like that."

Mrs. Clarke shook her head. "Then I'm afraid there's nothing I can do for you, Annabel."

My heart sank as I realized Mrs. Clarke was serious. I stood to leave, my eyes burning with unshed tears.

I hesitated, but then I realized I had no choice. My sister needed the treatment, and time was running out.

I turned to face Mrs. Clarke. "I...I'll do it."

*****

"Well, well, if it isn't the same person who injured my face the other day. What do I owe the pleasure?" Nathan asked as he opened the door.

Annabel's heart pounded as I faced Nathan, his smug grin making my skin crawl. I swallowed my pride, forcing a smile.

"Mr. Blake," I said, my voice even. "I apologize for the incident the other day. I was... out of line."

Nathan's grin widened. "Oh, really? And why's that?"

I bit my lip. "Well, you see, I need a favor."

"A favor?" Nathan repeated, stepping aside to let me into the house. "And what kind of favor would that be, darling?"

I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what I was about to say.

"It's about my sister. She's in the hospital, and she needs an experimental treatment."

Nathan's expression remained unchanged, but I could see the gears turning in his mind.

"And why is this my problem?"

I met his gaze, my expression serious. "I'm willing to work for you, Mr. Blake.

"And in exchange," I continued, my voice growing firm, "you'll cover the cost of the treatment."

Nathan's eyes narrowed, studying me carefully. "And why would I do that?" he asked, a hint of amusement in his voice.

My hands clenched into fists, but I forced them to relax. "Because you want me, Mr. Blake. And I'm willing to give you what you want, in exchange for what I need."

Nathan cocked his head to the side, his expression unreadable. "You make a compelling argument, Annabel. But I'm afraid you'll have to be more specific."

My cheeks flushed, my breath quickening as I took a step closer to Nathan.

"I'm giving myself to you, Mr. Blake. However you want me, however you want to use me."

Nathan touched my face lightly, making me shiver.

"What if I say no?" he whispered, his voice deep and rough.

My heart raced, but I stayed firm. "Then my sister dies."

Nathan's eyes hardened.

"You're serious, huh?" Nathan asked, his face cold. "You'd really offer yourself to me just like that?"

I nodded, my voice shaky. "Yes."

Nathan stepped back, his eyes fixed on mine. "And if I agree to your offer, Annabel? What happens then?"

I straightened up, my voice steady. "Then you pay for my sister's treatment, and I belong to you."

"You're quite the negotiator, aren't you, Annabel?" Nathan said, his eyes narrowing. "Very well. I accept your offer."

He turned away, signaling to me that the deal was done.

"Your sister will receive her treatment. And you, Annabel, will be my personal toy. You'll do as I say, when I say it. And you'll do it with a smile."

I swallowed hard, my stomach churning with nerves and disgust. But I knew I had no choice.

I followed Nathan up the stairs to his bedroom, my heart beating as I thought about the consequences of my decision.

******

~A month later~

I had been working non-stop at the diner for weeks, trying to scrape together enough money to pay for my sister Audrey's tuition fees.

She was counting on me, and I couldn't let her down. But the long hours and exhausting work were taking a toll on my body.

As I took the customer's order, the restaurant spun around me. I shook my head, thinking it was just a side effect of the long hours I'd been working.

But when I stood up to deliver their food, the dizziness hit me again. This time, I couldn't fight it. Everything went black.

When I came to, I was lying in a hospital bed, surrounded by beeping machines and sterile white walls.

I sat up slowly, my head spinning. How did I get here? I didn't remember anything.

Just then, a doctor walked in, a kind smile on his face.

Hello, Annabel. I'm Dr. Lewis. You've been with us for a few hours." I rubbed my temples, trying to remember.

"What happened?

How did I get here?"

Dr. Smith's face turned serious.

"You fainted at work. Your boss, Mike, was concerned and called an ambulance.

He rode with you to the hospital and has been waiting anxiously for news."

I tried to piece together the events. I remembered taking orders and serving customers, but then...nothing.

Just a vague recollection of feeling dizzy and stumbling.

Dr. Lewis looked down at the document in his hands, his eyes looking the contents.

He took a deep breath, his face serious. Then, he lifted his head with a smile.

"We ran some tests, and....you're pregnant."