The Contracted Stripper

One evening, In the dimly lit hallway, Dr. Parker pulled her into a secluded corner. “We can’t keep going like this,” he whispered urgently. “Someone could catch on.

“She nodded, her eyes darting around nervously. “I know. But it’s hard to stay away from you, We need a plan.”Dr. Parker leaned in, his lips brushing against hers. “We’ll find a way. We always do.”

“Their conversation was cut short by the sound of a car approaching. They quickly separated, trying to appear casual.

The car drove past without stopping, but the close call left them shaken.

Parker nodded, his expression grim. “We’ll figure it out. Just promise me we’ll stay together.”

“I promise,” she replied, her heart heavy with the weight of their secret.

************

Iris sat by the window, staring out at the hospital garden, her friend Emma arrived with coffee and sandwiches.

“I thought you could use a break,” Emma said, handing Iris a cup.”Thanks,” Iris said, taking a sip. “I didn’t realize how hungry I was.”Emma sat down next to her.

“How are you holding up?”Iris shrugged. “I don’t know. It feels like my whole world is falling apart. First, the drama with Ryan, and now this.

“Emma reached out and squeezed her hand. “You’re strong, Iris. You’ll get through this. And your mom will too.”

***************************

One afternoon, as Rose prepared to leave the house for another clandestine meeting, Ivy approached her.

“Mom, where are you going?” Ivy asked, her tone casual but her eyes curious.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

Rose hesitated for a moment before replying. “I have a meeting with the charity board. It’s important.

“Ivy nodded, accepting the explanation without suspicion. “Okay. Have a good meeting.”

As Rose walked away, she couldn’t help but feel a pang of guilt. Deceiving her children was the hardest part of everything, but she convinced herself it was necessary to protect them from the truth.

*********************************

After an especially intense argument with her Husband, she sought solace in Dr. Parker’s arms. As the sun set and the city lights flickered on, she found herself at Parker’s doorstep. He welcomed her with a tender kiss, pulling her inside.

They sat on the couch, the tension between them palpable.”I’ve missed you,” Dr. Parker whispered, his hand gently caressing her cheek. She smiled, leaning into his touch. “I’ve missed you too. It’s been too long.”

Dr. Parker sighed, his expression turning serious. “This is getting harder, honey, the secrecy, the lies. It’s taking a toll on both of us.”she nodded, her eyes reflecting the same weariness. “I know. But what choice do we have? We can’t let anyone find out yet. It would destroy everything.”

They sat on the couch, their hands entwined, a glass of wine each in their hands.

“And that is why we need to act fast, we should have ended him when you had the chance,” she said.

Dr. Parker looked at her, his eyes filled with a mixture of desire and guilt.” I wanted to but you asked me to hold on, remember?. I can’t help how I feel about you, seeing you with them as a family keeps breaking me”.

She sighed, resting her head on his shoulder. “I know. I feel the same way. But it’s so complicated.”Dr. Parker kissed the top of her head. “We’ll figure it out. Somehow, we just need a perfect plan on how to end him getting access to everything”

“Dr. Parker held her close, his heart aching for her. “I know. I wish things were different. But I’m here for you, no matter what.

“She looked into his eyes, finding comfort in his words. “I don’t know how much longer I can keep this up.”

***************************

Next week, as Iris sat holding her mother’s hand, she felt a soft squeeze.

She looked up, her heart pounding with hope.”Mom?” Iris whispered, tears filling her eyes

. Her mother’s eyes fluttered open, and she gave Iris a weak smile.

“Iris,” she said softly. “I’m so sorry.”

“No, Mom, I’m sorry,” Iris said, her voice choked with emotion. “I should have told you everything.

I should have been honest.”Her mother shook her head gently. “I understand why you did it, Iris. You were trying to take care of me. But you don’t have to do it alone.”

“I love you, Mom,” Iris said, tears streaming down her face.”I love you too, Iris,” her mother replied, her voice weak but filled with love.

As the days went on, Iris’s mother began to improve, but the need for a kidney transplant remained urgent. Iris and Skylar searched tirelessly for a donor, but time was running out.

One evening still at the hospital, she felt a hand on her shoulder and turned to see Ryan standing there. “Ryan, what are you doing here?” she asked, her voice filled with bitterness

“Because I care about you, Iris. Despite everything, I care,” Ryan replied.

Iris shook her head. “It’s too late for that, Ryan. Too much has happened, just leave, I can handle things.”

“I know,” Ryan said quietly. “But I’m not giving up on you or your mom. I’ll do whatever it takes to help.”

“I don’t think I can trust you,” Iris admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Just let me try,” Ryan pleaded. “Please.”

Before Iris could respond, the doctor walked in. “Mrs. Kendrick, can I speak with you for a moment?”

Iris nodded and followed the doctor into the hallway. “What is it, Doctor?” she asked, her heart pounding.

“We’ve found a potential donor for your mother,” the doctor said. “But there’s a catch. The donor is in another city, and we need to act fast.”

“How fast?” Iris asked, her mind racing.

“Within the next 24 hours,” the doctor replied.

Iris felt a surge of hope mixed with anxiety. “We’ll do whatever it takes. Just tell us what needs to be done.”

“We’ll need to transport your mother there and prepare for the surgery,” the doctor explained. “It’s going to be expensive and complicated, but it can be done.”

Ryan, who had been listening from a distance, stepped forward. “I’ll cover all the costs. Just make it happen

“The doctor nodded. “Alright. We’ll start making arrangements immediately.”

As the doctor walked away, Iris turned to Ryan, her eyes filled with a mixture of gratitude and confusion.

“Why are you doing this?”

“Because I care about you and your mother,” Ryan said simply. “And because it’s the right thing to do.”

Iris didn’t know what to say.

For the first time in a long while, she felt a glimmer of hope. “Thank you,” she said quietly.

Ryan nodded. “Let’s just focus on getting your mom better.

“The next 24 hours were a whirlwind of activity. Her mother was transported to the hospital, and the medical team prepared for the surgery.

Iris and Skylar stayed by their mother’s side, praying for a miracle.

As the surgery began, Iris sat in the waiting room, her nerves on edge.

Ryan sat beside her, offering silent support. Hours later, the doctor emerged from the operating room.

“The surgery was a success,” he announced. “Your mother is stable and will need close monitoring, but she’s going to be okay.

“Tears of relief streamed down Iris’s face. “Thank you, Doctor. Thank you so much.”Ryan squeezed her hand gently.

“She’s going to be okay, Iris.”For the first time in what felt like forever, Iris allowed herself to hope.

“Yes, she is. And maybe, just maybe, things will start getting better.”

Back at the mansion, Mrs Rose couldn’t help but feel a sense of foreboding, as she sat alone in the living room, Mr Kendrick joined her. He looked at her with a mix of concern and suspicion.

“Honey, is everything alright?” he asked, his voice gentle.

Rose forced a smile, nodding. “Yes, everything is fine. Just a bit tired.”

Kendrick studied her for a moment, then nodded. “If you ever need to talk, I’m here.”

Mrs. Rose felt a pang of guilt. As Kendrick left the room, Rose’s phone buzzed with a message. She glanced at the screen, her heart racing. It was a simple message, but it filled her with both hope and fear. “Everything will be over soon”.

********************************

Bella remembered how her hands trembled as she clutched the pregnancy test, her heart pounding in her chest.

The two lines staring back at her confirmed what she both dreaded and hoped for, she was pregnant.

Her mind raced with thoughts of how to break the news to Ryan, the man she had always envisioned as her future husband, despite the contract marriage that bound him to Iris. Bella’s desire to secure her place in Ryan’s life had never been more urgent.