Blue's POV
"Marry my son."
Marry… What? My jaw dropped as I stared at the not-so-old man in front of me, Nick Sanford, the well-known, powerful and scary mafia boss of the Sanford Family.
“Sir, ex… excuse me...”
He raised his hand, stopping me before I could finish my words.
"You heard me, young lady." He rested his back on the couch and crossed his legs.
"You are going to marry my son. I want you to make him fall in love with you."
I gasped in shock.
So, it's true. I really heard something like that from him.
Marry his son?
Why would I marry his son and why me?
And his son? His ruthless son who would kill people in a blink of an eye whenever he wants to? His evil son. The successor of his Mafia Organization?
No!
I don't wanna be involved with people like them. I'd rather die.
"S-Sir, I-I don't know why y-you chose me but… but sir, I can't do that," I was trembling in fear as I politely refused.
Please! Please! I'm praying he will change his mind.
Why did he even choose me?
Was it because he's claiming that I saved his life?
My heart raced when his expression darkened. He glanced at the man beside him who immediately moved and showed me a video clip.
My heart sank and my legs trembled after seeing the person in the video.
W-What… How? No! No! This can't be!
"I figured you'd say no, so I transferred your younger sister to a secret hospital," Nick Sanford said and paused.
"Young lady, my dear Blue, you just have to marry my son and melt his heart. Make him fall in love and your sister will be spared."
My legs have weakened like jelly and I fell on the floor, completely hopeless. My lips trembled as tears successfully rolled down my cheeks.
My sister! My poor sister. She's innocent. She's so precious. She can't experience something like this. She had enough of this cruel fate.
I can't risk her life.
"I will make sure that your sister will get the best treatment if you agree, young lady," Nick Sanford added and he smiled devilishly.
No! I shook my head.
I continuously shook my head as I lifted my chin and looked at the ruthless mafia leader in front of me.
"I-I don't t-think I can make him f-fall in love with me, sir."
The corner of his lips rose and his gaze intensified. He glanced at his man who immediately nodded and spoke.
"Blue Rivers. 29 years old. Orphan. Your dream is to become a doctor but you didn't finish college due to poverty. Now working as a janitress in a hospital and a part time waitress in a bar…"
My heart is slowly breaking as Nick Sanford's man continued reciting my background and whole life.
This can't be! That means he planned this and he's been watching me ever since that night?
"…Your younger sister, Sunny Rivers, who is 17 years old, has a heart disease. She badly needs to get treated so you're working all day and night to earn enough money."
I cried harder as I caressed my left chest. Now that he said those words, I felt how hopeless I am. My desperation has reached this mafia family's radar and now he's using my weakness against me.
I looked at Nick Sanford who's just watching me without remorse. His eyes were showing nothing but ruthlessness. He's a heartless man who uses money and abuses his power to do whatever he wants.
He's an evil man.
"You can't buy me!" I said trying to save my dignity.
I can't let him manipulate me like this. Yes! He's powerful, he's scary but he can't do this to the people lower than him. He can't just manipulate someone like me just to please himself.
Nick Sanford's man advanced to me again.
"Miss Rivers, this deal will benefit you the most. You've been working ever since your parents died to provide for your sister and support her treatment. This deal is the perfect way to save your dying sister."
I glared at him with my eyes full of tears. How could he decide on my sister's fate? He's just as cruel as his boss. People like them are cruel and evil. I hate them so much!
He ignored my glares and dropped a folder in front of me. My lips parted after I saw what it was.
A debt contract with my father's name printed on it.
It even has my father's signature.
"What is this?" I asked angrily and picked the paper. I was almost crumpling the paper in fury.
"Your family owes me a lot of money, young lady," Nick Sanford answered, drawing my attention. What?
I shook my head desperately. "No! No, you're lying."
He laughed dangerously. "Why would I lie? I can make you say yes with a gun pointed at your head but I'm being considerate here. You choose, young lady, marry my son or you'll have to pay your family's debt with yours and your sister's lives?"
I don't know how to cry harder to ease the pain in my heart now. I want to remove the pain, the disappointment and self pity. I want to numb myself 'cause I can't take it anymore.
All my life, I only want to live in peace and get my sister treated. How could this world be so cruel to people like me?
I balled my trembling fists and pressed it on the cold tile. My aching eyes are swollen and I can barely open them now. I don't know what to do anymore.
I sobbed as I chewed my bottom lip. What must I do? Should I accept his proposal—no, he's not proposing a deal, he's blackmailing me. I'm confused. I'm scared. I'm… so hopeless.
I want to say no. But… Do I have a choice?
"I promise you, young lady. I will forget about your family's debt and your sister will get the best treatment. Just marry my son and make him fall in love with you. It's that easy, right?"
