On a bright, shining morning, Amelia woke up early to the gentle rays of sunlight filtering through the curtains.
With a heavy yet determined heart, she began her day, knowing that she had a crucial appointment ahead.
As she went about preparing breakfast and getting Ella ready for school, her mind was consumed with thoughts of what awaited her at Jackson's office.
Despite the uncertainty and the pounding of her heart, Amelia resolved to face whatever lay ahead. For the sake of her daughter's happiness,
she was willing to confront any challenge that came her way. With each step, she drew strength from her love for Ella, knowing that every effort she made was for her daughter's future.
Amelia hailed a cab to take her to the address written on the card Jackson had given her.
As the cab weaved through the bustling streets, she couldn't help but admire the grandeur of the city around her.
A silent wish crossed her mind that her late husband could have experienced such success, sparing her the daily struggles she faced.
Upon arriving at Jackson's company, Amelia paid the cab fare and stepped out onto the sidewalk.
With a deep breath, she entered the sleek, modern building, marveling at the opulence of the interior.
It was a stark contrast to her own modest life, and for a moment, she allowed herself to dream of a different reality.
Approaching the reception desk, Amelia greeted the secretary with a warm smile.
"Good morning. I'm here to see Mr. Jackson," she said, her voice steady despite the flutter of nerves in her stomach.
The secretary looked up from her computer, her expression professional yet curious.
"Do you have an appointment with him?" she asked.
Amelia nodded. "Yes, I do."
The secretary nodded in acknowledgment.
"Please have a seat, and I'll inform Mr. Jackson of your arrival."
Amelia settled into a chair in the pristine waiting area, her mind buzzing with anticipation. Minutes stretched into eternity as she waited, her heart racing with each passing second.
But as she sat there, a glimmer of hope ignited within her, propelling her forward on this journey to secure her daughter's future.
Amelia's heart fluttered with anticipation as she received word from Jackson himself, allowing her entry into his domain.
With determination etched on her face, she followed the secretary's lead, her footsteps resounding down the corridor like a steady drumbeat.
Each step brought her closer to Jackson's office, her resolve unwavering in the face of uncertainty.
With every stride, she drew strength from her deep-rooted love for her daughter, a beacon of light guiding her through the shadows of doubt.
As she approached the door to Jackson's office, Amelia's pulse quickened, but she refused to falter.
Whatever awaited her on the other side, she was ready to face it head-on, fueled by the fierce determination to secure a brighter future for her daughter.
Amelia hesitated for a moment at the threshold of Jackson's office, her hand trembling as she reached for the doorknob.
With a deep breath, she pushed the door open and stepped inside, her eyes scanning the room nervously.
Jackson looked up from his desk as Amelia entered, his gaze steady and unreadable.
Despite the fear knotting her stomach, Amelia managed a shaky greeting, her voice barely above a whisper.
Jackson returned her greeting with a nod, gesturing for her to take a seat opposite him.
As Amelia settled into the chair, her hands fidgeting in her lap, Jackson's assistant bustled into the room, a steaming cup of coffee in hand.
Despite her polite refusal, Jackson insisted she take it, a small gesture of hospitality amidst the tension that hung in the air.
With a furrowed brow, Jackson leaned forward, his eyes searching Amelia's face.
"What could drive someone to propose such a drastic measure as a contract marriage?" he asked gently.
Amelia's breath caught in her throat as she began to recount her struggles since the loss of her husband.
She spoke of long days spent juggling multiple jobs to provide for her daughter, of sleepless nights filled with worry and uncertainty.
Tears welled in her eyes as she spoke of her recent diagnosis, the weight of her illness bearing down on her like a leaden anchor.
"I just want to ensure my daughter's future," Amelia confessed, her voice trembling with emotion.
"I don't know how much time I have left, but I want to make every moment count for her sake."
Jackson listened intently, his expression softening with empathy as Amelia bared her soul.
He offered words of comfort and encouragement, urging her to find strength in the face of adversity.
As Jackson's assistant handed her the coffee, a small gesture of kindness in the midst of turmoil, Amelia felt a glimmer of hope stir within her.
She took a tentative sip, the warmth of the liquid spreading through her veins like a comforting embrace.
Standing up from his desk, Jackson crossed the room to join her, his eyes reflecting a quiet determination.
"I may not be able to offer you what you're asking for," he said softly,
"but I can offer you this.
" With a nod to his assistant, he instructed her to prepare a check for Amelia, a gesture of support in her time of need.
Amelia's eyes widened in surprise as Jackson handed her the check, her heart overflowing with gratitude.
"Thank you," she whispered, her voice choked with emotion.
"There's no need for thanks,"
Jackson replied with a reassuring smile.
"Consider it a small token of assistance from one human being to another."
As the assistant asked for Amelia's full name to complete the check, a spark of recognition flickered between Jackson and his assistant.
"Amelia Bennett," Amelia replied, her voice barely a whisper.
Jackson and his assistant exchanged a knowing glance, the pieces of the puzzle slowly falling into place.
It was a moment of serendipity too profound to ignore, a chance encounter that would change their lives in ways they could never have imagined.
As Amelia left Jackson's office, a sense of gratitude washed over her, mingled with a newfound hope.
Clutching the check in her hand, she felt as though a weight had been lifted from her shoulders, if only for a moment.
With a grateful smile, she bid farewell to Jackson and his assistant, her heart overflowing with appreciation for their kindness.
Meanwhile, Jackson wasted no time in delving deeper into the mysterious connection between Amelia and the potential liver donor for his mother.
He instructed his assistant to gather all available information about the donor, determined to uncover the truth behind the uncanny coincidence.
As the assistant busied herself with the task, Jackson placed a call to his mother's doctor, his voice urgent with concern.
He needed answers, and he needed them quickly, as his mother's surgery date loomed ever closer.
The doctor agreed to meet with Jackson at his earliest convenience, understanding the gravity of the situation.
Jackson's mind raced with questions as he hung up the phone, his thoughts consumed by the possibility that fate had intervened in the most unexpected of ways.
As he awaited the meeting with the doctor, Jackson couldn't shake the feeling that Amelia's presence in his life was no mere coincidence.
There was something about her, something indefinable yet undeniable, that had stirred his soul in ways he couldn't explain.
With each passing moment, the anticipation grew, until finally, the time came for Jackson to confront the truth.
As he entered the hospital, his heart pounded in his chest, his mind racing with possibilities. Little did he know, the answers he sought would reveal a connection far deeper than he ever could have imagined.