Chapter 4 The Marriage Pact

• After Jojo penned her signature, she turned to Shawn with a direct request. "You owe me a thousand bucks. Pay up."
• Shawn scoffed, thinking, How did Grandpa meet this penny-pinching girl? She's petty and can't even assert herself! His despise was palpable.
• "I'll drop by at eight o'clock tomorrow morning for the marriage paperwork. Once that's sorted, you'll get what you're owed," Shawn stated coolly before heading out.
• As she watched him leave, Jojo sighed silently. What kind of hotshot is he? Holding back on a measly thousand bucks?
• After a demanding day at work, she returned to the staff room. Just as she ended her phone chat with Grandma, a knock sounded at the door. As she opened the door, she found Veronica standing there with an air of superiority.
• "Living here? What a joke," Veronica taunted.
• "None of your business," Jojo shot back firmly, unwilling to back down. She thought, I won't show you respect if you don't treat me like kin. Grandma always said, "Don't start trouble, but don't let anyone push you around."
• "The smell in here is unbearable. I'm out of here," Veronica snapped, clearly irritated despite having something to discuss.
• As she turned to leave, she dropped some news, "Jojo, I've got good news. Dad heard about your brain cancer and wants to bring in leading specialists from abroad to treat you. There's a flight booked for tomorrow afternoon, and I'll send the driver to pick you up."
• Jojo listened intently, her eyes widening at the news. Memories of being kicked out are still fresh. Is Dad finally going to accept me?
• "Is that real? I knew Dad wouldn't forsake me," Jojo replied with hope lighting up her face.
• Veronica mocked inwardly at Jojo's joy, thinking, Such a gullible country bumpkin—so easy to manipulate.
• Later, she left. Once outside the staff room, she called her mom, Beatrice Hatt.
• Veronica commented, "Mom, that country girl is gullible. Get someone reliable and ship her off to some backwoods creep tomorrow."
• "Sure thing. Once she goes, nobody will know who rescued Mr. Lawson that night," Beatrice replied confidently.
• Meanwhile, Veronica's eyes gleamed with cunning as she thought, All the fortune and fame will be ours!
• …
• The following morning, Jojo dressed her best, but Shawn still sneered at her.
• "Are you seriously going to the registration like that?" Shawn's perfectly groomed eyebrows furrowed, poised to squash any argument. He mused, Anyone else will laugh if they know about this marriage!
• Yet, Jojo didn't see an issue. "My outfit is clean and decent. Do I need fancy labels to go with you? If this is not good enough, then count me out."
• "You!" Shawn was at a loss of words.
• "Mr. Lawson, let's be clear. You're the one proposing we get hitched. Act like you're asking for a favor," Jojo asserted.
• After pondering all night, she had a realization. He's after me not because of the killer but because of Mr. Rupert. So, he won't dare to touch me. Why should I bow down when I don't owe him anything?
• Shawn clenched his teeth and tossed the contract. "Beg you? Seriously? Take a good look. If you violate the agreement, you'll pay tenfold!"
• Ten, hundred, thousand, million... Tenfold means one billion! Jojo's face went pale as she did the math. Though feeling queasy, she pushed through for the wedding photos and got the marriage certificate.
• Afterward, Shawn abruptly took a call and dashed off. "Hey! Don't go yet; I need to talk to you," Jojo called out, but she could only manage a few steps toward the Rolls-Royce before nausea hit her like a wave.
• Leaning against a dustbin, she couldn't hold it back and vomited. Suddenly, she worried, Could my cancer have spread throughout my body?
• Jojo rushed to Lison Medical Center, holding onto one thousand bucks to book an oncology consultation for tests.
• With what little money was left, she grabbed some pasta. Still, the nausea returned after several bites.
• Noticing her discomfort, her colleague probed, "Jojo, does your boyfriend know about your pregnancy? You seem troubled and shouldn't do this alone."
• "Huh?! Pregnant?" Jojo frowned, confused.
• "I see you're having trouble eating and drinking. It's a symptom of pregnancy. Is your period late?" her colleague continued.
• Jojo frowned and mumbled, "I don't have a boy..."
• Suddenly, the memory of that night on the train rushed back. She remembered, That awful guy not only took my innocence but might have left me pregnant?! How could he be so heartless?
• Disregarding her colleague, Jojo went for the gynecology.
• An hour later, the nurse dropped the bombshell. "Congratulations! You're pregnant."
• Pregnant?! Jojo's mind reeled. How can this be? I'm not even married, and I'm battling cancer. My body can't handle a pregnancy right now!
• Feeling overwhelmed, Jojo left the hospital. As she stepped outside, rain started to pour again. She raised her arms to cover herself just as a pair of leather shoes appeared.
• Shawn stood there with an umbrella, looking intense. "Jojo Grant! I warn you, you'll regret ignoring my calls!"
• "Huh? Did you call me? I didn't get any calls." Quickly hiding the pregnancy test report, Jojo saw an unknown number had tried to reach her. Feeling guilty, she apologized, "Sorry, I'll save your number now."
• Attempting to save it on her keypad phone, it unexpectedly turned off. Shawn's face went pale when he saw the ancient device. Irritated, he remarked, "Grandpa wants to see you."
• "Okay. I'll go now." Jojo knew Rupert needed company, but she'd been too caught up.
• As she prepared to step out into the rain, Shawn halted her. "Are you going out like that? Are you trying to make Grandpa think I'm treating you badly?"
• "I'm not!" Jojo was inclined to protest, but meeting his disapproving stare brought tears to her eyes.
• She thought bitterly, Kicked out by Dad, fighting cancer, assaulted, pregnant, stuck in a contractual marriage—none of this was my decision! No one asks for my consent! Who are you to judge me from some moral high ground?
• "It's not your concern about my outfit, and I don't need your meddling. Simply because we're married doesn't grant you control over me. I only agreed to this marriage for Mr. Rupert." With that, Jojo pushed Shawn aside and bolted out.
• Soon, she vanished into the rain.