Rina’s eyes fluttered open, her vision blurry as she tried to focus on her surroundings. The stark white ceiling and antiseptic smell told her she was in a hospital. As her senses slowly returned, she became aware of a dull ache throughout her body, particularly intense in her lower abdomen.
Memories flooded back. She had been so focused on her comeback in the Scottsdale entertainment industry that she had ignored the warning signs her body had been sending. The occasional sharp pains, the unexplained fatigue, the dizzy spells – she had attributed it all to stress and pushed through.
Now, as she lay in the hospital bed, Rina realized how foolish she had been. The doctor’s words echoed in her mind: internal haemorrhaging due to complications from her recent miscarriage. She had been walking around, putting her body through immense stress, all while bleeding internally.
As her vision cleared, Rina’s gaze fell upon a figure seated beside her bed. Her breath caught in her throat as she recognized the man – Zayn Graham, one of the most powerful and influential businessmen in the country. What was he doing here?
Rina gasped, her mind immediately jumping to the worst conclusions. Was this another setup? Another scandal for the internet to tear apart? She had already been through so much, her reputation in tatters. What new danger was lurking behind this unexpected presence?
“You’re awake,” Zayn said, his deep voice tinged with relief. “How are you feeling?”
Rina struggled to find her voice. “I… what happened? Why are you here? Mr…”
Zayn leaned forward, his expression serious. “You almost got hit by a car. I was driving by and saw it happen. I brought you to the hospital.”
As Zayn explained the events that led to her being in the hospital, Rina’s mind flickered back to that moment – the screeching tires, the blinding headlights, the paralysing fear. She shuddered at the memory.
But as Zayn continued talking, Rina found herself distracted. She found herself studying Zayn’s face, remembering the one time they had met at a dinner ball years ago. She had held him in high esteem since then, even harbouring a small crush. Now, here he was, her unexpected saviour.
Her eyes wandered over his features, taking in details she had never noticed before. Up close, Zayn Graham was even more impressive than his photos in business magazines suggested.
He was tall, Rina guessed around 6’7″, with broad shoulders filling out his expertly tailored suit. His skin was light, a contrast to his short dark hair. A neatly trimmed light beard and moustache framed his strong jaw. Everything about him exuded wealth and power, from his perfectly polished shoes to the subtle glint of an expensive watch on his wrist.
Rina felt a flutter in her stomach that had nothing to do with her medical condition. She found herself mesmerised by his intense gaze, the way his lips moved as he spoke…
Suddenly, Rina snapped out of her reverie. What was she doing? Hadn’t she learned her lesson? It was a man who had brought about her downfall, who had shattered her heart and her dreams. She couldn’t allow herself to be captivated by another man, no matter how handsome or powerful.
Men were all the same, she reminded herself bitterly. All wicked and scumbags, only out for themselves. She couldn’t trust any of them, especially not one as influential as Zayn Graham.
Forcing herself to focus, Rina interrupted Zayn’s explanation. “I appreciate what you’ve done for me, Mr. Graham,” she said, her voice stronger now. “But I don’t wish to be indebted to you in the near future, hence I’d like to repay you for saving me.”
Zayn’s eyebrows rose, surprise flickering across his face. The air between them seemed to thicken, tension building as they looked at each other. Rina’s chin was lifted defiantly, her eyes challenging despite her weakened state. Zayn, for his part, looked both amused and intrigued by her declaration. “You don’t owe me anything…”
But Rina cut him. “Seriously, I do not want to be indebted to you…”
The man’s intense gaze fixed on Rina, his brows now drawn together in contemplation. “You don’t owe me anything,” he repeated, “but if you’re truly set on repaying my kindness then, marry me.”
Rina’s jaw dropped, her eyes widening in shock. “W… what?” she sputtered, certain she had misheard.
Zayn’s expression remained serious, though there was a shine in his eye that Rina couldn’t quite decipher. “You heard me. Marry me.”
Rina’s mind raced. Was this some kind of joke? A cruel prank? Or worse, was it a calculated move in some complex business strategy she couldn’t begin to understand?
“Mr. Graham,” she began, trying to keep her voice steady, “I don’t know what game you’re playing, but…”
“No game,” Zayn interrupted, leaning back in his chair. “It’s a simple proposition. You want to repay me, I need a wife. It’s a mutually beneficial arrangement.”
Rina’s eyes narrowed. “Need a wife? The great Zayn Graham, needing anything? I find that hard to believe.” Then like a flash, she recalled seeing him at the city hall the previous day. Apparently, his fiance had ditched him. She also recalled him asking his assistant to find him a wife. What went south?
A shadow passed over Zayn’s face, so quickly Rina almost missed it. “You’d be surprised,” he murmured.
For a moment, silence stretched between them. Rina studied Zayn’s face, searching for any sign of deception. But all she saw was an earnestness that both intrigued and terrified her.
“Why me?” she finally asked. “You could have any woman you want. Why choose someone whose reputation is in ruins, whose career is hanging by a thread?”
Zayn’s lips curved into a small smile. “Perhaps that’s exactly why. We both have something to gain from this arrangement, Ms. Powers. You get a fresh start, protection from the scandals that have plagued you. And I get…”
He trailed off, and Rina found herself leaning forward despite herself. “You get what?”
Zayn’s eyes met hers, and Rina felt a jolt of electricity run through her. “That’s for me to know. For now, let’s just say it’s a business decision.”
Rina’s mind whirled. A business decision? To marry her? It was absurd, impossible. And yet…
She thought of the mountain of debt waiting for her outside these hospital walls. The sneers and whispers that would follow her every move as she tried to rebuild her career. The loneliness that had been her constant companion since her divorce.
Could she really consider this insane proposal? Marry a virtual stranger, no matter how wealthy or powerful?
“Mr. Graham,” Rina suddenly cut in, she remembered something. “I… I saw you at the city hall a few days ago.”
Zayn’s eyebrows rose in what seemed like surprise. “You did?”
Rina nodded. “I overheard a conversation between you and your assistant. About… about you looking for a wife?”
Zayn’s expression tightened slightly, but he nodded. “Yes, that’s correct. I didn’t realise you were there.”
That was a lie.
“I didn’t mean to eavesdrop,” Rina said quickly. “But I couldn’t help overhearing. You… you cancelled a wedding?”
Zayn frowned. “It’s complicated.”
Rina’s curiosity got the better of her. “Is that the reason you asked me to be your wife? Why are you looking for a wife in the first place? I mean, you’re Zayn Graham. You could have any woman you want.”
A wry smile crossed Zayn’s face. “It’s not that simple.”
Their eyes met, and Rina felt a jolt of electricity run through her. She quickly looked away, clearing her throat. “I understand…”
“Speaking of …” Zayn said, his tone gentler now, “You divorced your husband already, what stops you from being my wife?.”
Rina’s breath caught in her throat. “How did you know?”
“I was there,” Zayn blinked, his expression saying nothing
“Oh…” Rina caught herself whispering
As if reading her thoughts, Zayn stood, smoothing down his suit. “You don’t have to answer my proposal now. Take some time to think it over. I’ll have my lawyers draw up a contract for you to review.”
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a business card, placing it on the bedside table. “When you’re ready to discuss terms, give me a call.”
With that, Zayn turned to leave. At the door, he paused, glancing back at Rina. “Oh, and Ms. Powers? I suggest you keep this conversation between us. The press would have a field day if they caught wind of it.”
As the door closed behind him, Rina sank back into her pillows, her head spinning. What had just happened? Had Zayn Graham, one of the most eligible bachelors in the country, really just proposed a marriage of convenience to her?
She closed her eyes, exhaustion suppressing her. But even as sleep began to claim her, one thought lingered: in a world that had turned its back on her, was this outrageous proposal her last chance at redemption?