Chapter 3 Her New Life

Elena Carter returned to her flower shop, her mind still reeling from the events of the previous day. As she entered, she was greeted by an unexpected sight: her shop's rent had already been paid for a whole year. Stunned, she checked her phone and saw a message from the hospital-Jake's medical bills had been paid in full, and he could now continue his treatment without any more delays.

The Sinclairs had kept their end of the deal, just as they promised. The shock of it all still hadn't worn off.

Elena moved slowly, taking the time to arrange her flowers as her thoughts continued to swirl. How had everything changed so quickly? Just a few days ago, she was desperately struggling to make ends meet, and now, everything seemed to be falling into place, but at what cost? The weight of her decision pressed on her shoulders, making her wonder if she had truly done the right thing. Marrying a stranger for survival had been the only way to protect her brother and her shop, but the choice still felt like a foreign concept, like a choice that wasn't really hers.

Just as she was lost in her thoughts, the door of the shop chimed. Elena turned to find her best friend, Natasha, standing in the doorway with a wide smile.

"Elena! How have you been?" Natasha's voice was full of warmth, but she immediately noticed the worry on Elena's face. "You look exhausted. What's going on?"

Elena had always come home tired from work, but today was different. She looked drained and burdened by something far more than just the usual stress. She couldn't escape the weight of her decision-being married to a stranger wasn't easy.

"Natasha, how's work? I see you're on leave today, decided to stop by and see me?" Elena asked, trying to push her worries aside.

"Yeah, I got two days off, so I figured I'd spend them here with you," Natasha replied with a teasing grin. But then her gaze shifted, and she noticed something Elena hadn't expected. A wedding ring gleamed on Elena's finger.

Natasha's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Elena, what's this? A wedding ring? Did you get married recently?" Natasha's voice was laced with disbelief, but it was clear she was shocked. Elena could feel the weight of the question.

She didn't know how to explain it, but the truth spilled out anyway. "Yes, I'm married now, Natasha," Elena replied quietly.

"What?!" Natasha exclaimed, a mixture of surprise and confusion in her voice. "How did this happen? And why didn't you tell me?"

Elena sighed deeply and looked down at the ring. "It's a long story. You wouldn't believe it, but I married a man I don't even know." She paused, watching Natasha's eyes widen with curiosity.

As the story unfolded, Elena didn't hold back. She told Natasha everything that had happened-how an elderly man named Arthur Sinclair had come into her shop, offering her a marriage contract with his grandson, Damien. It wasn't romantic. It wasn't a choice she had wanted to make, but it was the only option she had left to save her brother and her shop.

It wasn't just about the money, not anymore. The marriage was a business deal-nothing more, nothing less. But it felt wrong to Elena, especially with her past fears of marriage, largely fueled by Natasha's own experiences with her husband, who had treated her badly. Marriage was never supposed to be like this.

Natasha listened intently, her face softening as she absorbed Elena's words. "I know you've been struggling for so long, and I can't say I agree with everything, but if this helps you get out of the financial hole you're in, then maybe it's worth it," Natasha said, her voice steady with understanding.

She paused, then her expression shifted, a pained look flickering in her eyes. "I'm just worried you're walking into something like what I've had to deal with." Natasha's words were heavy, and her gaze dropped to the floor. "My husband-" she faltered, her lips pressing tightly together, "he's not what I thought he would be. He says he loves me, but it's always felt... off. There's been distance. Coldness. And I'm scared it's only going to get worse. I never imagined marriage would feel so lonely."

Elena watched her friend, a wave of sympathy washing over her. She had always admired Natasha's strength, but now, hearing about her struggles, Elena could feel her own worries intensifying. What if her own marriage would be like Natasha's? What if the distance and emotional isolation were inevitable?

Natasha quickly shook her head, as though shaking off her own dark thoughts. "I don't want you to worry, though. I just don't want you to get hurt like I have. But you have to trust yourself, Elena. Whatever happens, you're strong. You'll handle it."

Elena's chest tightened at Natasha's words. She knew how deeply Natasha had been hurt by her marriage. The thought of her own new life with Damien, a man she didn't know and hadn't chosen, filled her with dread. Would it be another loveless relationship? Would she be stuck, just like Natasha?

"Where are you living now, with your 'husband'?" Natasha asked, her tone light but still full of concern.

Elena reached into her bag and handed Natasha a piece of paper with an address. "I'm supposed to move into his apartment. It's at Gateway Estate," she said quietly, then hesitated. "Natasha... could you help me out? Could you watch the shop while I go get my things and move into his place?"

It wasn't the first time Natasha had looked after the shop. Whenever she had time off from work, she would visit and lend a hand. So, Elena wasn't worried about leaving it in her care.

"Of course! Go on, wifey," Natasha joked with a wink, playfully teasing her as she accepted the key. "I'll make sure the shop stays in one piece while you go take care of your new 'marriage'."

Elena smiled weakly, feeling a mix of relief and anxiety. She needed to get this done.

When she arrived home, her heart sank a little. Jake wasn't there yet, but she knew she had to tell him what was going on. She could feel her nerves tightening in her chest as she began to pack her belongings. She moved quickly, folding clothes into a travel bag, and packing shoes and bags that she would need. It felt surreal. This wasn't how she imagined her life would unfold-her brother's illness, the financial strain, and now this marriage.

She couldn't believe this day had come, and even though it was something many women might dream about, her situation was different. She wasn't getting married for love. She was doing it to survive.

Still, her mind kept returning to Jake. She had to let him know what was happening.

Taking a deep breath, Elena called him. "Hey, Jake, I'm home. I need you to come back as soon as you can."

It was unusual for her to be home at this time, and Jake sensed something was off. After the call, he promised to hurry back.

A few minutes later, Jake came through the door, looking puzzled. He immediately saw the packed bags and his sister standing in the middle of the room.

"What's all this? What's going on, Elena?" Jake asked, his voice filled with confusion.

"I'm leaving," Elena said softly.

Jake was taken aback, not understanding why. "Leaving? But why? Where are you going?"

Elena explained that she had married a man she didn't know, but she wasn't doing it out of love. She had to do it for her survival-and for Jake's well-being. "This is what I had to do. For us."

Jake, helpless, stood there, unsure of what to say. He had seen Elena sacrifice so much for him, and now she was living with a stranger, someone she had no connection to.

"I won't leave you forever. I'll always check in on you, Jake. You need to focus on your treatment, and in a week, you'll be better and able to take care of yourself," Elena assured him, her voice filled with both tenderness and determination.

Jake forced a small smile. "I'm a grown man, Elena. You don't need to worry about me. I can take care of myself."

But Elena knew that wasn't true. She couldn't leave him behind without knowing he was okay. "I'll always call, Jake. And you can visit me. I'll make sure Damien knows."

Elena quickly gathered the last of her things. Jake helped her move the bags to the taxi waiting outside.

"I'll see you soon," Elena said, her voice soft but firm. "Take care of yourself. I'll make sure we both get through this."

Jake waved as the taxi drove off, but deep inside, he felt an emptiness. Elena was doing this for him, but the weight of it all was more than he could handle.

As Elena sat in the back of the taxi, heading to Damien's apartment at Gateway Estate, she realized that the world she once knew was slipping away. The only thing that was certain now was the uncertainty of her new life.

The taxi pulled up to the Gateway Estate, and Elena stared at it. She had never imagined this life for herself, and yet here she was. As she stepped out of the car, her heart raced. The gateway estate was ahead, but what awaited her behind the doors was still a mystery.