Chapter 1
Iris
The smell of hospital disinfectant made me want to throw up.
I sat beside Reed's hospital bed, staring at that stack of medical bills thick as a brick. The numbers on each page mocked us—one hundred and twenty-four thousand dollars.
"Iris, stop staring at those damn papers." Reed tried to adjust his position, but the cast on his right leg left him helplessly flat on his back. "We'll figure something out."
'Figure something out?' I thought bitterly. 'With what? We can barely afford next month's rent.'
"The accident wasn't your fault," I said the words I didn't believe. Truth was, if Reed hadn't been drinking so much that night, if he hadn't insisted on driving... But what was the point of rehashing that now?
The hospital room door burst open, and a man in an expensive suit walked in.
"Reed Caldwell?" His voice was deep and commanding, carrying an authority that brooked no argument.
Reed's face went pale instantly, whiter than his cast.
'That's him.' My heart sank to the pit of my stomach. This was the creditor, the man who had "generously" loaned Reed money when he was desperate. Looking at him now, I understood why Reed said he was ruthless.
"One hundred and twenty-four thousand dollars." The man stated the suffocating number directly. "When exactly do you plan to pay it back?"
"I... I need time..." Reed's voice trembled.
The man's gaze shifted to me, scanning me up and down like a barcode reader. "And who's this?"
"My sister, Iris." Reed swallowed nervously. "She has nothing to do with this..."
"Doesn't she?" the man raised an eyebrow, his mouth curving into a smile devoid of warmth. "Then who exactly do you propose will care for Atlas' grandmother?"
'What?' I felt blood rushing to my head. "Wait, what care?"
The man pulled a document from his suit jacket with movements so elegant they seemed rehearsed. "A care agreement. Your brother was smart enough to realize he can't pay back the money, so we've reached an... alternative arrangement."
I snatched the document and scanned it quickly. Every word pierced my eyes like needles. Home care, Alzheimer's patient, six-month contract, immediate collection of full debt upon breach...
"Reed!" I turned to my brother on the hospital bed. "Are you insane?"
"Iris, let me explain..." Reed tried to sit up, but the man's cold voice cut him off.
"The agreement is signed. Unless you have one hundred and twenty-four thousand dollars in cash, this... nursing student... will be paying for her brother's debt."
'Nursing student.' The contempt in his voice when he said those words made it sound like I was just some intern who'd barely learned how to change diapers.
"I can take care of elderly patients." I heard myself say, my voice steadier than expected. "I have experience and patience."
He nodded, but that smile became even more dangerous. "Excellent."
He turned to leave, but stopped at the door.
"Oh, and Reed." He looked back at my brother on the hospital bed, his tone particularly menacing. "Remind your sister that Atlas is a ruthless man. If she tries any funny business in his house, he'll show you both what real desperation looks like."
After he left, the air in the hospital room seemed to crystallize.
"Iris, you can't go." Reed grabbed my hand, his palm slick with sweat. "That Atlas isn't a normal person. He's... he's dangerous."
"Dangerous?" I tried to stay calm. "More dangerous than a hundred and twenty-four thousand dollar debt?"
"You don't understand." Fear flashed in Reed's eyes. "I've heard rumors about him. The way he treats employees... anyone he thinks owes him something... he's cruel. Iris, you have to be careful and protect yourself. If things go wrong, leave immediately. I'd rather we go bankrupt than have you get hurt."
Three hours later, I stood in front of the Montgomery family's front gate.
The house was ridiculously large, like something torn from a real estate magazine.
'So this is how a creditor lives.' I took a deep breath and pressed the doorbell.
The door was opened by a Black man around sixty, wearing a crisp shirt and vest, looking like a butler from an old movie.
"You must be Miss Iris." His voice was warm and polite. "I'm Gerald, the Montgomery family's household assistant. Please come in."
I followed Gerald into the living room and was immediately shocked by the level of luxury. Italian leather sofas, crystal chandeliers, and oil paintings on the walls that looked priceless. Several young people sat on the sofas chatting, holding whiskey glasses.
One blonde man noticed me.
'That must be him.' I nervously straightened my clothes and walked toward him.
"Mr. Montgomery?" I tried to make my voice sound professional and respectful. "I'm Iris Caldwell, here to care for your grandmother."
The blonde man looked confused. "I think you've got the wrong..."
"I'm sorry!" I immediately bowed apologetically. "I know this arrangement is sudden, but I'll do my absolute best to take care of the elderly lady. I have nursing experience and I'm very patient..."
"Hey!" A familiar cold voice came from behind me. "Can't even recognize your creditor? Trying to get yourself killed?"
I stiffly turned around to see the real Atlas Montgomery standing on the staircase, those downturned eyes full of mockery. He slowly descended the stairs, each step like a hammer hitting my heart.
"Marcus, see that?" Atlas said to the blonde man. "This is the nursing student I was just telling you about. Watch how I torture her, teach her what happens when you don't pay your debts."
I felt blood rushing to my cheeks. The humiliation in the hospital room had been bad enough, now I was being made into a joke in front of his friends.
Atlas walked up to me and suddenly grabbed my wrist, pulling me into his embrace. His body was warm, but that intimacy made me feel even more humiliated.
"Remember this face," he said to his friends, like he was displaying a trophy. "This is the sister of the man who owes me one hundred and twenty-four thousand dollars. Starting today, she's my family's... pet."
'Pet.' The word lashed across my face like a whip.
"Mr. Montgomery." I struggled to control my voice, not letting it shake. "I'm here to work, not to entertain anyone. Please tell me where your grandmother's room is."
Atlas's friends let out low chuckles
"What's the rush?" Atlas released my wrist but remained standing close. "Let us get a good look at our new... employee. Turn around."
'Is he serious?' I glared at him. "I'm not a dancer."
"No, you're not." Atlas's smile became more dangerous. "You're a debtor's sister, here to pay off debt. So you better learn to obey."
The air in the living room grew tense. I could feel everyone's eyes focused on me—some curious, some sympathetic, but mostly just awkward.
"Atlas..." Marcus tried to say something, but Atlas stopped him with a look.
"What's wrong, Marcus?" Atlas's voice carried challenge. "You feel sorry for her?"
Looking at these rich kids' faces, I suddenly realized I was just a joke to them, a living entertainment show. But I couldn't run away.
"If you've seen enough," I tried to maintain my dignity, "could you take me to meet your grandmother? I'd like to start working."
Atlas stared at me for a long time, something I couldn't read flashing in those downturned eyes. Finally, he nodded.
"Gerald, take her upstairs."
