Thunder rumbled in the distance, and a drizzle pattered against the window of Saint Mercy Medical Center, adding to the night’s gloom.
Clara Bennett stared at the enormous hospital bill in her hand for a long time before answering her phone. “Auntie Emily, about that contractual marriage you mentioned—I’m in.”
“I knew you’d come around. Your room is already ready. Come by tomorrow and move in with us. I’ll have a dowry set up for you,” Emily Lawrence, the person being referred to as Auntie Emily, replied, her voice brimming with joy and narcissism.
The thought of Emily’s arrogant face made Clara feel queasy. After her parents died in a car crash, Clara was brought up by her grandmother, Grace Sterling, in the countryside.
They had been each other’s rock for fifteen years. If it weren’t for Grace’s urgent need for a heart transplant, Clara would never have come to this dreary city. Even though she had studied traditional medicine with a master, performing a heart transplant was beyond her skills.
Clara felt slightly relieved that Grace’s medical bills were settled. As she ended the call, Grace came out of the ward.
“Clara, who were you on the phone with?” Grace asked.
“Just a friend,” Clara answered, keeping Emily and their deal to herself.
Grace, always wise, sensed Clara’s concern. She held Clara’s hand, her face apologetic. “Clara, I’m getting older and won’t have many years left, even if I have the transplant. Maybe we should skip it.”
“Don’t say that, Grandma. The surgery’s already paid for. It’s starting to get windy. Let’s go back inside,” Clara gently reassured her.
Once Grace drifted off to sleep, Clara gently slipped out of the ward.
The hospital was dead silent at this hour, and the hallways bathed in shadows. She planned to use the restroom to freshen up, but the door to a nearby utility closet burst open before she could make it far.
Without warning, a pale arm shot out, clamped over her mouth, and yanked her into the room.
“Keep quiet,” a guy’s voice came, low and urgent, right by her ear. The sharp stench of blood hit her hard.
Glancing down, Clara noticed blood dripping onto her skirt. It was clear the guy was seriously injured.
He held her neck tightly, pinning her in place. Clara couldn’t move or make a sound, her heart pounding.
Minutes later, she heard the rush of footsteps outside—probably a group of people searching the area. “He’s hurt and won’t get far,” someone called out.
Gradually, the noise of the search party faded away.
The guy relaxed his hold on her neck as the footsteps grew distant. Clara took a deep breath, relieved, but the guy’s face twisted in pain. “Get out of here!” he rasped.
The guy thought, I’m losing control because of the drug. If she doesn’t leave, I won’t be able to keep it together.
Clara hesitated, her medical instincts kicking in. “I can help you,” she stated.
Clara thought, I can take care of it if it’s just a minor wound.
The guy’s eyes flashed with desperation. Overwhelmed by his pain and urgency, he pulled Clara close, spun her around, and pinned her down.
The rain was coming down harder outside, mixing with the thunder and Clara’s muffled cries to create a jumbled mess of noise.
The struggle in the room went on for more than an hour until Michael Goodman finally ran out of steam, feeling a grim sort of satisfaction. The drug’s effects had faded, and his mind was now clear.
Considering he had taken the girl’s first time, he would be responsible for it.
Later, Clara woke up to the stillness of the night. Her clothes were in place, and if not for the pain she felt, she might have thought the whole ordeal was just a nightmare.
Michael was gone but left a note and a pendant behind. Clara furiously ripped up the note with his contact details and tossed it out the window. The pendant, however, looked valuable, and she thought it could bring in some cash.
Reflecting on last night, tears welled up in her eyes once more. The memory of what happened—especially to someone she never really saw—was overwhelming.
A call from Emily brought Clara back to the present. She learned that her late parents had left her some things. Wiping away her tears, Clara made her way to the Bennett Residence,
As she arrived, Clara thought, Despite the Bennett Family’s struggle, the house looks just the same. If Mom and Dad hadn’t died in that car crash years ago, Uncle Dylan and Auntie Emily wouldn’t have taken over Bennett Enterprise, and I wouldn’t have been forced out of the family when I was just nine.
Looking back was bittersweet, but she knew she had come back to a place that once was home.
“Is that you, my rural cousin?” Dylan and Emily’s daughter, Emma Bennett, greeted Clara with a mocking smirk. Her look obviously said, “You really look the part.”
Without waiting for a response, she dismissed Clara and went upstairs as she absorbed in her phone.
Coming out of the kitchen and removing her apron, Emily greeted Clara with a warm smile. She took Clara’s hand and asked, “Clara, right? That’s your cousin, Emma. You and Emma played together a lot when you were little. Do you remember?”
Clara couldn’t forget. Emma always played the innocent, letting Clara take the blame for everything. She forced a smile and mocked, “Auntie Emily, Emma’s not into the contractual marriage because she’s already seeing someone, right?”
She had noticed some flirtatious messages from different guys on Emma’s phone.
Emily’s smile wavered briefly before she swiftly switched topics. “Emma isn’t fortunate enough to marry into the Goodman Family. They’re the most prominent family in Oakridge. Once you’re with them, you’ll have all the wealth you could ever dream of. Just don’t forget about your uncle and me.”
Clara felt a wave of irritation and mused, Meh. If the Goodman Family is so wealthy, why push me, an outsider, into this?
Redirecting the conversation, Clara replied, “Got it, Auntie Emily. I came to see what my parents left me.”
Emily’s demeanor became guarded. “I can only provide you those items once you’re married into the Goodman Family, not before.”
Clara could see through the charade.
She contemplated, the Bennett Family is in serious trouble, and Bennett Enterprise is nearly bankrupt. In their desperation, Uncle Dylan only remembers the old marriage pact with the Goodman Family.
Yet, the Goodman Family’s second son has been incapacitated for years and is known for his violent rages. He’s driven three fiancées to their deaths. There’s no way they’d risk Emma’s future with him.
On one side, a five-million dowry could save the Bennett Family. Plus, they can’t bear to part with Emma. So, they look to me, knowing I desperately need money for Grandma’s treatment. They even “generously” offer to move Grandma to Oakridge General Hospital for better care.