An Irresistible Proposal
“Amber Collins?” one of the clerks at the marriage agency called out. Amber rose quickly.
“I’m sorry, ma’am, I have a job interview. It will have to be another time.”
Elena Rhodes merely nodded. She could wait. After all, what did she have to lose? She had already tried everything with her son.
Ten minutes later, Amber emerged from the office, head down, tears spilling down her cheeks. Elena didn’t miss her chance.
“They wasted your time, didn’t they?” Elena said, her voice both soft and firm. “Come with me. I have something for you.”
She took Amber gently by the arm and led her to a nearby café.
Amber stared at her, bewildered. Then the proposal came—striking like lightning:
A one-year marriage with a man she had never met. A powerful CEO who wanted nothing but an heir.
“And if I have a child with him?” Amber whispered, still dazed. “What will happen to the baby?”
“My dear, this is a contract,” Elena explained coolly. “If my son does not fall in love with you, you’ll be free to leave. You’ll have no obligation to form bonds. The payment will be generous. But the child, of course, will stay with us.”
Amber’s lips tightened.
“No,” she said firmly. “That’s something I cannot accept.”
She left, her pride burning in her chest, convinced she would rather scrub tables than sell herself.
That night, hell awaited her at home.
Her father sat at the table, half a bottle of liquor in front of him. The two younger children hid behind the hallway door, trembling. It was always the same—night after night. He was a man without mercy.
“Did you bring the money, you useless brat?” he growled, lifting his belt.
“I… I couldn’t find anything,” Amber whispered, lowering her head.
The belt struck her back with a brutal crack. Then again. And again. She tried to shield herself, but it was pointless. Her brothers cried, begging him to stop.
“Leave her alone, Father!” the youngest screamed.
“Shut up!” he roared, kicking a chair aside.
Amber, gasping, forced herself up and shoved her brothers into their room.
“Lock the door,” she commanded through her broken voice. “Don’t come out.”
When silence finally returned, she collapsed against the wall. Pain scorched every muscle, but what broke her most were the muffled sobs of the children.
Her little sister dared to slip out, approaching timidly.
“Sis… what are we going to do? You can’t take another beating.”
Amber embraced her, even though every movement hurt.
“I’ll do whatever I must,” she whispered, tears glistening in her eyes. “I won’t let him destroy us. I promise.”
The next morning, her phone rang. An unknown number.
As if sent by fate, it was Elena Rhodes, pressing again with the proposal. She had obtained Amber’s number from the agency and was not about to take no for an answer.
Amber looked at her siblings sleeping on the thin mattress. Her body still ached from the blows, but pride alone no longer fed them.
She couldn’t refuse this time. Elena herself made sure Amber was properly prepared to meet her son—though Amber’s beauty was undeniable, she needed to look flawless for Ethan Rhodes.
That evening, tension filled the Rhodes residence.
Ethan arrived late, exhausted from twelve relentless hours at work. He walked into the dining room to find his mother seated… and a new guest waiting.
The young woman rose at once. Amber’s heart pounded violently, but she didn’t allow fear to show.
“Good evening, Mr. Rhodes.”
Ethan froze, taken aback by her firm tone. For the first time in years, someone didn’t sound afraid of him. He rolled his eyes in exasperation.
“Another one…” he muttered, dropping his briefcase to the floor. “So, what will we discuss tonight? My stocks? Or perhaps interest rates?” His sarcasm dripped like poison.
“She is not ‘another one,’ Ethan,” Elena said sharply, triumph in her voice. “Sit down.”
“I’m tired.”
“Sit down!” This time, her command was ironclad.
Ethan clenched his jaw and sank into the chair.
Amber met his eyes without flinching.
“I’m not here to be impressed by your company or your wealth. I came because your mother asked me to, and because I need the job. If you’re not interested, just say so, and I’ll leave.”
The room froze. Ethan, so used to people bending over backwards to please him, arched a brow.
“At least you’re honest. That’s… new.”
Amber’s gaze didn’t waver.
“Honesty shouldn’t be new.”
Elena’s heart raced. For the first time, her son seemed unsettled.
Ethan took a slow sip of whiskey and set the glass down.
“I’m not interested in marriage. Not in a family. Not in anything but my work. Do you understand that?”
Amber nodded calmly.
“I understand. But it doesn’t scare me.”
He rolled his eyes, standing with a dismissive huff.
“Perfect. Another fool.”
And he left the room, abandoning his mother and the girl in silence.
But Elena… Elena smiled. Because she knew.
This time, things were different.
