I had almost no money, but I stopped in front of a shop window and found myself staring at an expensive dress. Suddenly, I noticed a wealthy man standing at the entrance, looking straight at me. I felt embarrassed and wanted to leave, but he unexpectedly called out to me: “Charlotte, is that you?” I froze. How did a stranger know my name?.. 😨
During the last few years of my twenty-eight years, I had barely lived for myself.
After my mother died, I became the only close person my younger brother Noah had. He had a heart condition, and for the past few years my life had revolved around doctors, medications, and bills.
During the day, I worked as a receptionist at a small hotel, and several evenings a week I cleaned offices. I hardly bought anything for myself and counted every dollar.
That evening, I even walked home to save money on the bus. And suddenly I saw that very same dark-blue dress. It cost almost five thousand dollars.
I had almost no money, but I stopped in front of the window and stared at the expensive dress. For a second, I simply imagined myself wearing it — without debts, medications, and the constant fear for my brother.
I looked at the price and smiled despite myself. I had less than twenty dollars in my pocket.
Then I noticed a well-dressed man at the entrance, staring directly at me. I felt uncomfortable and was about to leave, but he suddenly called out to me.
— Charlotte?.. Is it really you?
I froze. How did this stranger know my name?..
I looked closely at his face.
— Daniel?
We had been in the same class. I remembered a quiet, skinny boy who usually sat in the back rows. Now, standing in front of me, was a confident man in an expensive coat. And a few minutes later, I learned that both this store and dozens of others like it belonged to his company.
Daniel suggested we have coffee. I didn’t want to tell him about my problems, but he noticed my old phone, my wet shoes, and the fact that I had rejected a call from the clinic several times.
— Are you having problems?
— I’ll manage.
He was silent for a moment.
— Then maybe we can help each other. I need a wife. For a few months.
I actually thought I had misheard him.
Daniel explained that he had an important business deal coming up and several meetings with partners. For them, having a family image was very important. He needed a woman who would temporarily play the role of his wife.
— I’ll pay you well. It will be enough for Noah’s treatment.
It felt like I had been slapped.
— So you saw your poor former classmate and decided she could be bought?
I stood up and walked away.
The entire way home, I was shaking with anger. I would rather work without days off and count my last coins than sell myself for someone else’s money.
But the next morning, Noah became ill.
At the hospital, I held his cold hand while the doctors examined him. Then the doctor called me into his office.
— Charlotte, his condition has worsened. We can’t wait any longer. The treatment needs to begin urgently.
He placed some papers in front of me. I saw the amount and simply stared at it for several seconds. I didn’t have that kind of money. Not even if I worked day and night.
That evening, Noah fell asleep, and I sat beside him, listening to his heavy breathing. Then I took Daniel’s business card out of my pocket.
Just the day before, his offer had felt like a humiliation.
Now I stared at the number and thought of only one thing: What would happen if I lost my brother because of my pride?
My finger rested on the call button. But I still couldn’t press it… 😨
Full story in the first comment 👇
I finally pressed the button.
— I agree, I told Daniel. — But only for Noah. We’ll sign a contract.
— All right, he replied calmly.
Two days later, Daniel paid the clinic directly for the treatment. When I saw the confirmation, I locked myself in the hospital bathroom and burst into tears. For the first time in a long time — from relief.
Noah’s treatment began, and I started pretending to be Daniel’s wife. I accompanied him to business dinners, meetings, and receptions. I felt uncomfortable among people who spent more in one evening than I earned in several months.
Before an important meeting, Daniel brought that very same blue dress.
— I can’t accept it.
— You don’t have to. Wear it tonight, and return it tomorrow.
For the first time in a long time, I laughed.
Gradually, I realized that Daniel wasn’t cold at all, as he had seemed to me at first. One day I asked him:
— How did you even recognize me after all these years?
He smiled.
— I was in love with you at school. Once, I didn’t have any money for lunch, and you paid for me. Then you never told anyone.
I didn’t even remember it.
Three months later, the doctor told us that the treatment had worked and Noah’s condition had stabilized.
That same day, our contract ended.
I took off the ring and placed it in front of Daniel.
— Now it’s over.
He looked at the ring.
— What if I don’t want it to end?
I was silent.
— The contract is over, Charlotte. But I don’t want to pretend anymore.
I didn’t throw myself into his arms. I needed to understand whether he truly loved me, and not the woman he had created for his business meetings.
So I returned to my ordinary life.
And Daniel began asking me out on real dates.
A year later, we walked past that same shop window again.
— Do you remember the dress? he asked.
I smiled.
Of course I remembered.
Once, I had stood in front of that glass with my last twenty dollars in my pocket, thinking that I would never be able to afford a life like that.
But it turned out that it was precisely that evening when my old life began to change.
