The Billionaire's Contract Fiancee

Ava Morgan, 24, sat frozen in front of her laptop, the glow of the screen casting harsh shadows across her tired face. The email she had just read wasn’t a surprise, she had felt it coming for weeks, but that didn’t make it any easier. She just got fired from her place of work, and Just like that, the steady income that had kept her afloat disappeared.

She rubbed her temples, trying to hold back the flood of anxiety rising in her chest. Rent was overdue, bills piled up in the corner, and threatening notices from the bank sat unopened on the kitchen counter. Since her hours were cut, they’d struggled to keep up with mortgage payments.

Her gaze shifted to the small room next door where her 21-year-old sister, Chloe, was resting. The faint beep of the oxygen monitor was a constant reminder of the mounting medical bills. Chloe’s chronic illness had worsened recently, and the doctors had scheduled surgery that Ava knew was urgent, but the price tag was terrifying. They had already drained their savings, borrowed from friends, and put essentials on credit cards that were now maxed out.

Orphans since their parents died in a car accident five years ago, Ava and Chloe had relied on each other to survive. Ava had taken on the role of protector and provider, sacrificing her own dreams to keep them afloat. Chloe, despite her illness, was fiercely independent and had always been Ava’s light in the darkest times.

But now, with everything collapsing around them, Ava wasn’t sure how much longer she could hold on.

Every day felt heavier than the last, as Ava juggled job applications and phone calls with hospitals, trying to find a way out of the suffocating financial hole. The pressure was relentless; the fear of losing their home was no longer a distant worry but an imminent reality looming over them.

The weight of it all threatened to crush her spirit. But for Chloe’s sake, for both of them, she had to keep fighting.

Ava spent endless hours scrolling through job listings, applying for every opportunity that matched even remotely with her skills. From graphic design roles to customer service jobs, she sent out dozens of applications, each time hoping for a positive response. Days turned into weeks, and the silence from employers was deafening.

She closed her laptop, her fingers trembling slightly as she exhaled a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. The apartment was silent except for the soft hum of the refrigerator and the distant sound of rain tapping against the window. Chloe stirred faintly in the other room, her weak cough tugging at Ava’s heart.

Suddenly, her phone lit up on the table beside her, followed by a single sharp beep.

Ava reached for it, not expecting much, probably another payment reminder or an update from the hospital.

But when her eyes caught the sender, her heart skipped.

She blinked once.

Twice.

Then sat upright, staring at the screen in disbelief.

What...?

She didn’t move. Just sat frozen, her breath caught in her throat, eyes wide with shock.

The Unexpected Invitation

Ava’s heart thudded in her chest as she stared at her phone screen, the glow illuminating her startled expression. The sender’s name at the top of the email read:

Blackwood Company Recruitment Team.

Blackwood.

Everyone knew Blackwood Company, it was one of the most powerful and wealthy corporations in the country, with interests spanning finance, real estate, and technology. Its CEO, Damien Blackwood, was a name whispered with respect and awe in the business world.

With trembling fingers, Ava opened the message.

> “Dear Ava Morgan,

>

> Thank you for your application for the Secretary position at Blackwood Company. We are pleased to invite you to an in-person interview scheduled for October 14th at 10:00 AM…”

She stopped reading for a second, eyes wide.

Weeks ago, she had sent in the application almost on a whim, late at night after seeing the listing buried deep in a job board. She hadn’t expected anything, companies like that didn’t hire people like her. She didn’t even have the confidence to dream about it.

But now… here it was. Real. Waiting.

Her breath caught in her throat, a mix of nerves and hope swirling in her chest. This wasn’t just any job. It was a lifeline.

And maybe… just maybe… everything was about to change.

Just then, a soft knock came at the door.

Ava quickly put down her phone and walked over. She already knew who it was, Chloe’s private nurse, Tory, The woman stepped in with her usual calm smile, dressed in scrubs and carrying her medical bag.

“Tory, good afternoon,” Ava greeted, trying to sound more composed than she felt.

“Hi Ava,” Tory replied gently. “How’s Chloe been today?”

“She’s been resting fine,” Ava said, stepping aside to let her in. “Thank you for coming.”

Ava had hired Tory a few weeks ago when the hospital bills became too overwhelming. It had been a tough decision, but keeping Chloe at home under professional care was the only way they could manage, both financially and emotionally. Despite the growing debt Ava owed her, Tory never stopped showing up. She was kind, patient, and treated Chloe like her own.

Tory moved efficiently, checking Chloe’s vitals, preparing her medications, and administering an injection. Chloe stirred slightly but didn’t fully wake, her breathing steady.

“She’s improving,” Tory said with a nod. “Still fragile, but she’s responding well to the meds.”

Ava exhaled in relief. “That’s good to hear.”

As Tory packed her things, Ava cleared her throat. “Um… I need to let you know. I might not be home next Monday. I have something important to attend to, and I might be out for most of the day.”

Tory looked up, listening.

“I was wondering… if you could stay with Chloe that day? I promise I’ll pay you what I owe. I just, this is really important.”

Tory offered a soft smile. “Of course, Ava. I’ll stay with her. Don’t worry.”

Ava’s shoulders dropped slightly, the tension easing for a moment. She thanked her sincerely, watching the nurse leave after a short while.

As the door closed behind her, Ava turned around, her eyes drifting back to her phone, still lit with the message from Blackwood Company.

One opportunity.

One week.

Everything was riding on it.

Ava woke up early, the sunlight gently streaming through the window. Today was important, her interview at Blackwood Company. She moved quietly, careful not to disturb her sister, Chloe, who was still asleep in the next room.

In the small kitchen, Ava prepared a simple breakfast for Chloe, warm toast and herbal tea, careful to make sure everything was just right. She placed the tray beside Chloe’s bed, watching her sister stir awake with a faint smile.

Back in her own room, Ava stood before the mirror. She chose a crisp white blouse tucked neatly into a high-waisted black pencil skirt. Her black heels clicked softly as she paced, smoothing out the fabric. She pinned her dark hair into a neat bun, subtle makeup enhancing her determined eyes. Today, she was a professional, a secretary ready to take on the world.

Just as she finished adjusting her blazer, a soft knock came at the door. It was Tory, Chloe’s nurse, arriving right on time