Chapter 4 The Price Of a Lie

Kara sat on the edge of her bed, fingers tangled in her hair as she stared at the cracked ceiling. Her entire life had been a battle, a never-ending cycle of survival-but this?

This felt like selling her soul.

"I'll cover any expenses you have."

Elena's words replayed in her mind like a haunting melody, impossible to ignore.

She needed the money. That was undeniable.

But could she really deceive someone like that? Pretend to be a rich heiress's doting boyfriend?

Kara exhaled sharply, raking a hand down her face.

It wasn't just about fooling Elena's parents-this would mean living a lie around her. And there was something about Elena Laurent that made Kara uneasy. Not in a bad way. That was the problem.

A shrill ringing broke the silence.

Kara's eyes snapped toward her old flip phone on the nightstand. The hospital.

Her breath hitched as she snatched it up. "Hello?"

A pause. Then, a nurse's soft but firm voice. "Miss Kara, your sister's condition is stable for now, but the doctors insist on starting the treatment immediately. We need the next payment to proceed."

Kara squeezed her eyes shut. "How much?"

"Eighty percent of the total cost."

The number made her stomach drop. She didn't have even a fraction of it.

"We understand this is difficult," the nurse continued, "but time is running out."

Kara swallowed hard, nodding even though they couldn't see her. "I-I'll find a way."

The line went dead.

Kara slowly lowered the phone to her lap, heart pounding.

There is no other way.

She had been fooling herself thinking she had a choice.

Tonight, she would give Elena her answer.

---

Later That Night – The Club

The club pulsed with energy, the air thick with perfume and alcohol. Kara moved behind the bar, but her mind was somewhere else.

Every now and then, she felt eyes on her.

When she finally looked up, her breath caught.

Elena Laurent.

Seated in the VIP lounge, watching her.

She wasn't even trying to hide it.

Elena's lips curled into a smirk, swirling a drink in her hand, completely at ease. As if she already knew Kara's answer.

Kara exhaled slowly, wiping her hands on her apron.

No turning back.

She untied the apron, tossed it behind the bar, and strode toward the VIP section, weaving through the crowd with a confidence she didn't entirely feel.

Elena's gaze never wavered.

When Kara reached the table, Elena lifted a brow. "I was beginning to think you weren't coming."

Kara crossed her arms. "I had to think."

Elena leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table. "And?"

Kara's stomach twisted. She hated this. Hated how much power Elena had at this moment.

But she forced herself to keep her voice steady. "I have conditions."

Elena's smirk widened. "I'm listening."

Kara hesitated. She needed to be smart about this.

"I agree to be your 'boyfriend,'" she started, ignoring the absurdity of the words coming out of her mouth. "But there are rules."

Elena tilted her head, amused. "Rules?"

Kara nodded, forcing herself to continue.

"No public kissing. No unnecessary touching. And I choose when this ends."

Elena let out a soft laugh, shaking her head. "You're adorable if you think you get to dictate the terms."

Kara stiffened. "This isn't a joke-"

"Oh, I know." Elena's expression darkened slightly, eyes flashing with something unreadable. "But if you're going to convince my family, then we can't exactly look like awkward strangers, can we?"

Kara's throat dried.

Elena leaned in slightly, voice lower, silkier. "What happens if my mother wants to see how much I 'love' my boyfriend? If my father expects me to cling to you in public?"

Kara's pulse jumped.

Damn her.

Elena knew exactly how to push people-how to test their limits and make them question themselves.

But Kara couldn't afford to back down.

She straightened, meeting Elena's eyes with determination. "We'll make it work without crossing the line."

Elena studied her for a long moment. Then, with a small, knowing smirk, she extended her hand.

"Deal?"

Kara hesitated. This was it.

She lifted her hand and clasped Elena's.

The moment their fingers touched, a strange heat shot through Kara's skin.

Elena's smirk widened. "Welcome to your new life."