Love Beyond the Contract Marriage

Moan harder, baby, yeah, yeah, it's coming, yeah, aah...

Ryan let out a loud moan of pleasure as he playfully spanked the lady he was fucking, admiring her big ass. With a sheepish smile on his face. He felt a brief sense of power and control. It was fleeting, but he was used to that.

As he laid on the bed to take a deep breath from the moment. 'Care for another round?' She asked, and he sheepishly smiled and stood up from the bed without a word. He plans to go wash himself up and then ride her hard one more time.

Just as he was about to step into the bathroom, the sudden beep of his phone halted him.

'Hmm,' Ryan sighs, nodding his head, tempted to ignore it. He wasn't ready to be distracted at this point; he had another round to go with this sexy lady. But doubt crept into his thoughts. It could be work you fool, You don't joke with work.

He hesitantly picked up his phone to find a message from his secretary: "Good afternoon, Mr. Miller. I've been attempting to contact you.""

I heard rumors from the management. Kindly check your email."

Curious and concerned, Ryan quickly went through his email and saw a surprised message from the management saying

Effective immediately, you are relieved of your position as CEO, courtesy of Grand Miller.

A name they usually address is his grandfather.

His initial confusion turned into rage. 'What! This must be a joke, hahaha.' He laughed, but his humor quickly turned to rage from the news he just got as he hastily put on his clothes.

"Where are you going baby? I thought we were going for another round," he grabbed his keys from the table and ignored her. "Hey," she called out again, but he cut her off. "You don't get to ask me questions; we are done here." He threw a bunch of money in her face. "Hope to see you again," she muttered silently.

"Never". He shouted, slamming the hotel door behind him. Anger still burned within him. It was a usual routine for him, after all, it was sex for money. He least cared about her or her name.

Ryan barged into his grandfather's office furiously, "You are firing me? Grandpa I really don't get it," interrupting Grand Miller's conversation on the phone. "Please don't tell me it's still because of your idea of me getting married. Why force me to do what I don't always want?"

Grand Miller smiled, noticing his grandson's pain from his tone-exactly what he wanted. He would have heard the latest news from the company's board.

"Yes exactly, until you get married and give me an heir, you cease becoming the CEO of my company, and if you refuse to adhere to this, I would gladly cut you off my will, Ryan."

Ryan squeezed his fist, It felt like a punch to the gut. "You can't be serious. All of this because I won't play house?" He felt a familiar tightness in his chest-the same pressure he felt when his parents died and his life was forced down a path he hadn't chosen. "You'd throw away the empire I built over a marriage?"

Grand Miller's voice softened a bit, "You are my only grandchild and the only family I have ever had since we lost your parents and my wife. Look at me; I'm getting very old, and likewise, you're not getting any younger by the day. All you do is sleep with random women every day. I don't want you to end up like me, focusing on work all through life and not giving room for love and a family."

Ryan's face was pissed and red. He looked at his father with so much hatred at that moment. "But how do you expect me to achieve all this? I am not like you Grandpa, I have money and power to succeed, not some woke love. But hopefully, with time, I will find love."

"Ryan, there's no time; you have really been taking me for a joke, but you see this time, it's either you give me what I want or my decision would be final and attract more consequences."

At this point, Ryan knew his grandfather's mind was made up, as was his reputation for following through on his words. He couldn't risk losing his inheritance of his grandfather's company considering he was currently working on a huge project that could change a lot. He wants every dime for himself. Ryan knew he couldn't challenge his grandfather's wishes.

"Alright, grandpa, I would get married and give you a child, doing everything you had always wanted and forcing me to do as usual." Ryan walked out of his grandfather's office with a heavy heart, heading straight to his car. As he got into his vehicle, his mind became clouded with thoughts.

'I can't believe he would do this again; all my life I have always done what he wants, never what I wanted. Even though I changed my career choice from being a medical doctor to business management after my parents passed just to make my grandpa happy, now he's doing this. Unbelievable.' He sighed, pondering at his inability to live life the way he wants to.

"Sir, where are we headed to?" His driver snapped him off from his thoughts, "Ooh, just head home. I need a break from today's drama."

"On today's program on Heart for Beat, let's talk about how we dive deep into the raw emotions and difficult questions surrounding infidelity."

The sound of the radio pissed him off as he shouted at the driver to reduce the volume of the radio. "In fact, turn it off; I want peace at this moment. Alright, sir," the driver responded.

Ryan sat in his car in a state of turmoil; the weight of his grandfather's request was pressing down on him, but he knew he had to comply; if not, he would lose his chance in a project he has been pursuing for years only to get this closed.

The sight of home was like peace in disguise. Ryan stepped out of the vehicle, went inside his house, and went straight to his bedroom.

He immediately jumped on his bed with a big sigh of relief, delving into the thought of the whole relationship thing. It has never been his thing; the last time he tried to get into a relationship, his heart was broken.

'Money! That's just what all these ladies are after,' he muttered silently. The memory of his last relationship with Juliet clouded his thoughts, and he hasn't yet gotten over the emotional pain he experienced; with this, he vowed not to love again,because of the vulnerability it required -every time he tried, the wound reopened. But now, all of a sudden, his grandfather is talking about getting married; where is he supposed to start from?

One name flashed in his mind. 'Yes! Madam Jane, I need to contact her.' He took a deep breath as he decided to take the first step in solving this mess, knowing full well he couldn't do it alone. He picks up his phone to dial Madam Jane, his emergency contact, a woman with discreet connection, for an appointment for that evening; one way or another she would have a perfect solution or advice for his situation.

Later that evening, Ryan met with Madam Jane in a restaurant where they usually hang out. She was a woman with few words, very sharp and observant. Ryan explained his current situation to her, his voice filled with frustration and desperation.

"I need your help on how to go about this fast. My grandfather is forcing me to get married and give me a child. How am I supposed to achieve this considering love is not a thing for me recently?"

She listened to his frustration attentively and understood the extent of his problem. When he finished, she nodded slowly, more like she had an idea.

"I would suggest a contract marriage, considering the short duration. I believe it would work if you both played your parts well." Ryan's eyes widened with joy as he leaned back, feeling relaxed; he would have never thought of such a great idea, it was logical. But it was just the perfect idea to satisfy his grandfather's demands without compromising his desires.

"A contract marriage," he repeated with a smile. It sounded easy on the surface. But could he trust anyone enough to pull this off without it blowing up in his face? He'd seen enough marriages crumble-and he was already emotionally bankrupt. But there was no better option.

"Let's get to it then.

A gentle smile spreads across Madam Jane's face as she replies "I think I already have someone in mind, but it would cost you $500,000."

"I don't care. As long as she is smart and pretty." Money was not the problem for Ryan, as a matter of fact, it was the least of his concerns right now.

Madam Jane smiled. "Trust me she is. Deal then," Ryan responded as they both exchanged pleasantries with a hand.

Ryan shook it without hesitation, feeling a sense of calm for the first time that day. A contract marriage. No strings attached. No emotions. Just business.

Emma sat in silence at Dr. Shawn's office, her heart pounding as he delivered the news. Her mind was lost in thoughts; yes, she knew her brother's situation wasn't getting better, but to hear that he wasn't responding to the chemotherapy treatment was disheartening.

His voice was calm but heavy carrying the weight of what he had to say.

"Emma, I'm afraid the chemotherapy isn't working as we'd hoped," Dr. Shawn began. His eyes were full of emotions, showing sympathy. "However, there's an experimental clinical trial being developed by a group of scientists. The success rate looks promising, but..." His voice trailed off.

Emma's breath hitched. "But what, Dr. Shawn?"

"They're looking for sponsors. Funding is crucial to get this trial started, and even then, only a select number of patients will be accepted," he explained.

Emma's face fell, and suddenly the room fell tiny. Her chest got all tight and worried. "Please, Doctor, you have to make sure my brother gets a spot. He deserves a chance; you can see it yourself; he's just a little kid to be going through all this pain"

Dr. Shawn sighed softly. "I'll do what I can. But without the funds, it's out of my hands. I'll keep you informed as things progress. But I can't promise you anything."

Emma nodded and forced a smile through her sadness, even though the hope of her brother being part of the trial stands in a very thin line.

"We'll hold on until the trial begins." But as she left the office, tears pricked her eyes. Holding on was all they had been doing for so long; she wanted to give up, but for her brother's sake, she couldn't. She has to continue to hope for the best.

As she stepped outside, the weight of the news hit her fully. She paused, leaning against the cold wall of the hallway, her breath wasn't stable.

The hope of Lukas being chosen for the trial felt like a thread, so thin it might snap at any moment. She wanted to scream, to cry-but instead, she took a deep breath, wiped her eyes and headed home.

Emma found Lukas sitting on the couch by his bedside, watching the TV. She took a deep breath trying to prepare herself for the conversation ahead.

She quietly walked into her brother's room with a tray full of fruits. At the sight of him, she paused; his face was pale and his eyes sunken. "Go away, Emma; I told you I'm not ready for your chitchat on how I will get better."

"I'm not getting better, Emma. We've sold everything. The house, the car-what more can we give up? I'm tired of living like this." Lukas voice cracked with frustration and despair.

Emma kneeled beside him, holding his hand tightly. "Don't say that. The doctor told me about a new trial-it could save your life. We just need to hang on a little longer and also pray you are being chosen."

Lukas shook his head. He was not interested in any clinical trials at this point; he's just ready to give up. He has been the reason things haven't been going well for them.

"I'm not interested in the clinical trial when it starts, considering it's even on a selection basis." Lukas shouted with anger in his tone.

"Why the hell not?" Emma interrupted, her voice sharper than she intended. "Dr. Shawn said this is your best shot at getting better.

Lukas nodded his head; his sister was not understanding things from his view; he was already frustrated with his conditions and didn't want to fight any longer. "Well, it's not up to you; it's my body, and I refuse."

Emma clenched her fists, trying to hold back the frustration building inside her. She had tried so hard to stay calm, but Lukas' refusal to even consider the trial pushed her over the edge.

"Excuse me," Emma snapped. "It's up to me; I'm your older sister, and you're getting the treatment whether you like it or not."

"You're not even my real sister; you were adopted." Throwing the tray of fruit Emma was holding.

"Lukas! Emma's voice wavered, her heart tightening as the words hit deep. How can you say that? Blood or no blood, I'm your sister for life!" Lukas felt the pain in Emma's tone, knowing his words tore deep into her heart. He stepped down from the bed and assisted Emma, who was trying to pick up the pieces of fruit from the ground.

"I can't keep dragging you down, Emma." hugging his sister to make her feel his pains. "After Mom and Dad died, you dropped out of college to take care of me; you sold our house to pay for my medical treatment; you gave up everything for me just... Stop. Go and live your life; you are a young, pretty girl."

"You are my life, Lukas, and all I have left." a fierce determination hardened her voice. "And I would do anything to keep you safe."

Emma stood up abruptly, her mind racing. She was already overwhelmed by the growing medical bills, the pressure of keeping Lukas alive, and the fact that they could barely feed at that moment.

Emma stood up, picked up her phone, and went outside her apartment. She was about to call Aunt Jane, her late mom's friend, whom she had reached out to for a job.

She stood for a minute; she had to do something. The fact was that she was already getting tired of the whole situation, but she couldn't give up. Lukas was her only brother; he is all she has left; he can't die.

Phone ringing...

"Hey Emma, Aunt Jane greeted with joy in her tone." Emma could sense the excitement from her tone. "Aunt Jane, please tell me you have good news for me. I really need a job, as you already know my current situation."

Aunt Jane smiled from her side. "Yes, darling Emma - I do have a job for you; it's unconventional and requires whether or not you are up to it." A whoop of excitement escapes Emma's lips as she jumps for joy. "Thank you so much, Aunt Jane. I would do anything at this point; I just need a job."

"Emma, you haven't even heard what the job is all about, and you are so happy. It's a contract marriage with someone, and he gets to pay you $350,000."

Emma was dumbfounded for a second. The words felt foreign, strange, as if spoken by someone else.

She repeated, 'A contract marriage?' A feverish anxiety consumed her mind, she echoed, barely able to process the words. "You mean... I'd have to marry a stranger?"

How could she possibly marry a stranger?

Emma being lost in her thoughts, the world around her seemed to freeze, every option, every choice narrowing to this one moment.

How could it come to this?

Despite desperately needing a job, this opportunity wasn't her ideal solution. However, the prospect of $350,000 was enticing; it would help them bounce back financially. She would be able to provide for food and drugs in the meantime while they wait for the clinical trials to kick off.

"Emma, are you there?" Aunt Jane snapped her out of her thoughts as she could sense the silence from the phone. "Ooh yes, I am; this was her chance to save her brother.

I just wasn't expecting this. Emma, just come over to my place now so we could talk about it, ok?"

"Alright," Emma responded. "I will be on my way now." Hmmm, she exhaled deeply. 'This would be a whole new experience, as she never thought people were still into this. Well, rich people, I guess, have all the money to spend on crazy things.' But now she had no choice, did she?

She went back inside and picked up her bag. "Lukas, I'm going out to meet up with Sonia; I will be back soon. If you need anything, call me."

At Aunt Jane's waiting room, she sat anxiously in the waiting room, unsure of what to expect. When Aunt Jane walked up, she jumped to her feet, her heart skipping a beat. She was ridiculously nervous.

"Nice to see you, Emma." Emma smiled; she couldn't wait for her to spill everything about the contract. "Aunt Jane, about the contract marriage, what is it all about, and also the duration." Emma asked with curiosity.

"You marry someone, legally, for a set period. No emotions, no real attachment. You'd be helping him fulfill a requirement, and he'll give you the money you need."

Aunt Jane's voice was steady, almost too calm.

Emma's mind was racing. Marriage? To a stranger? It was crazy. But Lukas needed her. She couldn't shake the picture of him always lying in that hospital bed, so weak and helpless. That's what made this insane decision seem like the only way out.

"So... I just marry him, and that's it? No strings?"

Aunt Jane hesitated, then leaned back. "Yes, though there's one more thing. For the duration, it's after you bear him a child, the contract ends.

A child?" Emma's eyes widened in shock. "You never mentioned a child in our previous discussion. A fake marriage I can deal with, but a baby? That's a living, breathing human being."

"Emma, I know this isn't what you were expecting;" Aunt Jane's voice softened, her gaze steady. "But I wanted to help you the best I could. It's a wholesome $350,000, an offer other ladies would not think twice about."

Aunt Jane understands Emma's fears but she knows she needs the job.

You were the first person I had, considering what you are currently going through with your brother's health, and this is the best I could do in respect of your late mother to help you."

Emma for sure could see the truth in what Aunt Jane was saying; other ladies would jump on this offer, and yes, it was her best chance in sustaining her brother's life.

"Can I at least know the name of this man I am supposed to get married to?" Emma asked, wanting to be more involved with the proposal.

"Aunt Jane sighed, of course she wouldn't suggest a random person to Emma, considering her current situation.

"His name is Ryan Miller; that's all I can say for now until you are ready."

Emma's stomach twisted. She had no idea who he was, but his name brought a sense of peace to her.

"I need to think about this," she responded to Aunt Jane, standing up abruptly. Her mind was a whirlwind of conflicting thoughts as she left the office.

Back at her small apartment, Emma sat on her bed lost in thought about her things lately: the death of their parents, Lukas cancer, their endless visits to the hospital, the huge medical bills, and how she has been striving to provide a three-square meal for them.

"How did it come to this?" she whispered to herself. "Marry a stranger and bear his child for money? It sounds insane..."

But then the thought struck her. Why settle for just the $350,000 when the man she was about to marry was obviously wealthy? What if she could negotiate something better? Though she has to be very strategic so she doesn't sound so greedy.

What if I can convince him to sponsor Lukas' spot in the clinical trial instead of just paying me? The thought burned brightly in her mind. It would be the perfect solution-a guarantee that Lukas would get a place in the trial and a chance to survive.

Her mind raced with possibilities, but the uncertainty lingered. Could she pull this off? What if she messes up the entire opportunity and goes back to square 1? At that point, Aunt Jane wouldn't be there to help her.

Emma paced by the window, thinking. She had to meet him to save Lukas. It was a risk, but she'd take it. Feeling overwhelmed, she needed to talk yo someone.

She will call Sonia. Her best friend would understand; she always did.

She reached and to her phone and dialed Sonia's number

"Hey, Sonia?" Emma's voice shook. "Hey Sonia?" Emma's voice shook, betraying her inner turmoil.

"Hey, Emma! What's up? You sound off. Is everything okay?"

Emma took a deep breath, steadying herself. "Actually, no. I've got something on my mind and I need to talk to you.Can I come over?" Emma asked

Sonia, wondering what it could be responded with a faint tone, "Of course! Come right now. I'll be waiting."

A few minutes later, Emma arrived at Sonia's place. As soon as she stepped inside, Sonia could sense something was wrong. "What happened? You look like you've seen a ghost!"

Emma"s smile was weak; more reasons she liked being around Sonia were that she knew how to crack her funny jokes.

"I've gotten myself into something strange," she admitted. "Aunt Jane offered me a job, but it's not what it sounds like."

Sonia's eyes raised in curiosity. "What kind of job are we talking about?"

"A contract marriage," Emma said.

Sonia blinked, then laughed nervously, thinking her friend was joking. But when she saw Emma's serious expression, the smile faded. For sure her friend was serious.

"Wait. What? A contract marriage? Like in those drama series?"

Emma nodded. "Yes. Apparently, there's this wealthy guy who needs a wife. And guess what?"

Emma asked, watching Sonia adjust herself properly on the couch.

"Wait, there's more?" Sonia asked; her eyes widened; the whole story was getting interesting.

"The contract ends with me giving him a baby." Emma opened up with a smile as she continued, "And I'm considering accepting the offer."

Sonia's mouth dropped open in disbelief. "Emma, are you hearing yourself? This sounds crazy! You don't know this guy, and he wants you to marry him? What's the catch?"

The money of course, it's $350,000. It could help with Lukas' treatments."

Sonia's eyes widened. "Wait, wait. Hold on. You're telling me this guy wants a baby out of the deal and offers you such a huge amount of money? And that's it? What's his name? Do you even know who he is?"

Emma bit her lip, trying to remember the name Aunt Jane had told her.

"Yeah, I think his name is Ryan Miller."

Sonia's jaw dropped. "Shut up! Ryan Miller? The Ryan fucking Miller?"

"Do you know him or something?" Emma asked, curious of her response and Immediately, Sonia brought out her phone and googled Ryan Miller. "Let me show you who Ryan Miller is." She flashed Emma the search results: "Forbes 30 Under 30, richest man in New York?"

Emma was stunned, trying to connect the dots with what Sonia was saying.

"Great then." Emma responded, staring at the photo, her mind racing. Ryan Miller wasn't just some random wealthy man-he was a powerful figure. "I'm going to ask for more than $350,000," Emma said, her voice firming up.

Sonia looked at her skeptically. "Like what?"

"I'm going to ask him to sponsor Lukas' clinical trial. That's the only way I can justify going through with this."

Sonia raised an eyebrow. "You think he'd agree to that?"

"I don't know," Emma admitted. "But I have to try. For Lukas."

The next morning, Emma called Aunt Jane.

"Aunt Jane," Emma began, "I've made up my mind. I want to meet this man-Ryan Miller. Let's set up a meeting for the agreement and signing."

Aunt Jane sounded relieved, glad that Emma was taking the deal. It would go a long way in helping her through her situation. She thought.

"I'll arrange everything. You're doing the right thing, Emma."

But Emma hadn't revealed her full plan. She wasn't just going to sign the contract. She had one more condition in mind.

Aunt Jane's words didn't calm Emma's nerves. She was stuck between a rock and a hard place, desperate to save Lukas but unsure what that meant anymore. Ryan Miller, some rich guy, held all the cards. Their meeting loomed, and Emma's anxiety spiked. She'd have to negotiate with him, potentially sacrificing everything. Scary, but she wouldn't back down.

That evening, Emma found herself sitting across from Ryan Miller in a private room at an upscale restaurant. The tension in the air was thick, and Emma couldn't help but feel small in front of him. He was more imposing in person, his sharp eyes studying her every move.

He was handsome and had a very captivating body figure. She wonders why he would stoop so low in paying someone to marry him when he has the money, fame, and body.

A lot of girls will be willing to marry him for free. There must be more to this she thought to herself, silently sipping her drink, waiting for him to start a conversation.

"I understand Aunt Jane has explained the terms of our agreement." Ryan's voice was calm yet commanding.

Emma nodded. "Yes, but I have a condition of my own."

Ryan's eyebrows raised, intrigued. "Go on."

Emma took a deep breath, her heart pounding. "In addition to the money you're paying me, I want you to sponsor my brother's spot in a clinical trial. He has cancer, and without your help, he won't make it."

Ryan's eyes narrowed slightly, trying to digest her offer.

Emma held her breath, waiting for his response, but noticing the silence, she continued.

"You also get to benefit from this;you will be highly recognized as someone helping the sick; you will be doing something good for society."

Emma watched him nod his head but wasn't sure of what his response could be, but she was glad she took the chance of proposing this to him. The worst he would say is he isn't interested.

A moment of silence passed, followed by his subtle smile. "Interesting," he said quietly. "You're not just after the money. You're smart. I like that."

Ryan was pleased that she wasn't just some dumb girl; she had her own terms, and like she said, he would be presented to the public to have a good motive.

Who knows, this could be his way out with his struggling project before his grandfather fired him.

Emma's stomach twisted. "So... you'll do it?"

Ryan's eyes locked onto hers, his expression unreadable. Then, in a low, measured tone, he spoke: "I'm open to negotiation."

"This contract goes beyond marriage, Emma. You'll be part of my life and family, with all its complexities." Ryan's tone hinted at unspoken concerns.

"My grandfather's expectations are at stake. This marriage must prove something to him and the world. If we fail, we both have something to lose."

Emma signed, so he is agreeing to do it, which is a good thing, but what will this expectation be? How far is she willing to go to secure her brother's spot in the clinical trial?

Will this contract marriage bring unexpected complications?