5
Molly’s POV
Beth sounded even more anxious than I was when she answered my call. “A physical? Molly, are you feeling sick?”
I found it difficult to ask for another loan. After all, Beth had only recently given me money.
“I—I’m fine,” I stammered, my tongue tying itself in knots. Lowering my voice, I explained, “Here’s what happened. Harrison and I made a deal. I marry him, and he pays me. He gave me a million dollars for a full medical examination, but White took the money from me.”
“What?!” Beth shrieked over the phone. “Who are you marrying? Harrison? That vampire?!”
“Beth, Harrison isn’t a vampire.” I pressed a hand to my forehead, torn between laughter and exasperation.
I explained the whole misunderstanding to her. By the end of it, she was laughing too.
“I knew it. Vampires can’t possibly exist. I must have lost my mind before, giving you such ridiculous advice. And you actually believed me! Thank goodness you didn’t think I was messing with you.”
In the past, I probably would have thought she was playing a prank on me. But when I was at my lowest, she had been the only person willing to help. How could I doubt her sincerity after that?
“There is one problem, though.” Beth drew in a sharp breath. “Are you really going to marry Harrison? He may be a professor at our university, but we know nothing about what he’s like as a person. What if he treats you badly after the wedding? Marriage is a serious commitment.”
Of course I was afraid. But now that the million dollars was gone, fear wouldn’t help me.
That money had already locked me into this.
Beth came from a wealthy family, but she had to compete with an illegitimate child for her inheritance. Her life wasn’t easy either. Perhaps she could give me another million and solve my immediate problem, but what would I do after that?
“Beth, thank you for worrying about me.” I had made my decision. Going back and forth would only make it more painful.
I heard her sigh. “I’ve transferred some money to you.”
“I hope Harrison treats you well. If you’re unhappy, you have to tell me.”
My nose stung, and I nearly burst into tears again. “Thank you, Beth.”
After hanging up, I hurried to register for a full series of examinations.
When I lay beneath the cold machine at the medical center, I did cry. It wasn’t because of pain—nothing hurt. It was the helplessness, the feeling that I had been bound by something and could no longer move.
Harrison had said everything had to be examined, down to my fingertips. That meant my uterus too.
When the doctor touched me with the cold examination instrument, I clenched my teeth to keep from crying out.
I knew I would never forget that sense of humiliation.
The next day, I dressed neatly, placed all my medical records in a folder, and went to Harrison’s office.
Standing outside his door, I took a deep breath and raised my hand to knock.
The door opened from inside.
My hand froze in midair as my eyes met Harrison’s. His gaze paused on me for a moment before he arched an eyebrow.
“Come in.”
His voice was low, making me inexplicably nervous.
I sat across from him and held out the folder with both hands. “These are my examination reports.”
Harrison didn’t take it immediately. He looked at the folder, then studied my face for two seconds as if judging something. Only then did he accept it.
He reviewed the reports with practiced efficiency, holding down each page with his index finger as though grading an exam. His eyes swept quickly over the figures. The wait was agonizing. I began imagining what he might think when he saw all that medical data. Would I pass? Would he decide to “return” me? What if he was dissatisfied and demanded his million dollars back? I would have to repay him in installments...
My heart pounded so hard it seemed ready to leap out of my chest.
When Harrison put down the reports, I nearly forgot to breathe.
“Not bad. You’re perfectly healthy.” His gaze moved from the reports to me. “Get the necessary documents ready today. I’ll pick you up at ten tomorrow morning so we can register the marriage.”
“Also, send me your home address and location.”
I released such a long breath that I grew light-headed. At least he wasn’t going to “return” me. The crushing weight on my shoulders seemed to ease slightly.
But only slightly.
There was still the major issue of Marcia’s transfer.
I had thought it through the day before. I couldn’t get Marcia into a better hospital myself, but Harrison could. If he was satisfied with me, I planned to ask for his help.
I didn’t know how to bring it up. Asking felt humiliating.
My fingers rubbed anxiously against my thighs.
Harrison glanced over me. “Is there something else?”
“Yes.” My voice sounded hoarse to my own ears. “Marcia... my mother needs to be transferred. The hospital said the debt collectors had disturbed the other patients, and people complained about us. I don’t know what else to do...”
I looked up at him, and even that took a great deal of courage.
Harrison leaned back in his chair. He didn’t respond at once, only watched me with an unreadable expression. I couldn’t tell whether my request displeased him.
“That’s a minor matter,” he said evenly. “But do you want me to stop the transfer, or move her to a more suitable hospital?”
I stared at him in delighted surprise. “It would be better if she didn’t have to move. That hospital may not have the best equipment, but a transfer could harm Marcia. I’m worried something might go wrong on the way.”
Harrison listened intently, and I gradually relaxed. At least he respected my opinion. That meant it truly wasn’t a problem for him.
“Then let’s do this. To prevent the debt collectors from harassing you again, I’ll contact the hospital myself,” Harrison said casually. “As for a transfer, if everything is properly arranged, the patient won’t be harmed.”
Overjoyed, I sprang to my feet and bowed deeply. “Thank you!”
“You’re my wife. It’s only right that I help you with these problems.”
I raised my head and stole a glance at him, only to find his deep-set eyes already watching me. His words made me feel shy.
After all, once we became husband and wife, we would surely have to do far more intimate things.
“Molly,” Harrison called.
I immediately straightened. Harrison smiled helplessly. “You aren’t my student. There’s no need to be so nervous. Sit down.”
I obediently took my seat, feeling like an idiot. But Harrison carried such a strong professorial air. What student wouldn’t be intimidated by a teacher that stern?
“Dress appropriately tomorrow,” Harrison said. “Even if ours is a contractual marriage, officially registering it is still a formal occasion.”
I nodded solemnly. “All right.”
