Isaac was your everyday average Joe—nothing too remarkable about him, but nothing too insignificant either.

He was the kind of person who could easily blend into a crowd but not entirely fade into obscurity.

His looks could be considered better than the average guy's, but they weren't the kind to make him stand out in a crowd for long.

A decent-looking man with an athletic build, standing just shy of 6 feet—5'11 and a half, to be precise—Isaac had striking blue eyes that seemed to glow under lighting, making him easy to spot in even the most crowded places. His ashen hair was another unique feature, standing out in a sea of predominantly black-haired individuals.

Like everyone else, Isaac had his share of problems, and it was financial stability. His family wasn't poor enough to qualify for help but struggled daily to maintain their middle-class status.

Isaac's mother was in the last stage of Alzheimer's, a disease that drained not just emotional reserves but financial ones as well. The cost of her treatment was astronomical, and it fell to Isaac to shoulder the burden. On top of that, he had two younger siblings, one in college and the other in high school, both of whom depended on him for financial support.

The burden of his siblings' education and his mother's treatment fell squarely on his shoulders. His father's pension, while steady, was just enough to cover the household expenses, leaving no room for additional costs like medical bills, tuition fees, or other necessities.

Although Isaac had secured a decent starting job at a major MNC, it wasn't enough to keep up with the mounting expenses. The financial strain weighed heavily on him, particularly as his mother's treatment consumed nearly half his monthly income. Alzheimer's wasn't just deadly but also extraordinarily expensive to manage, with medication, therapy, and specialized care constantly piling on costs.

To make ends meet, Isaac worked overtime almost every single day. Since joining the company, he had worked an extra three to four hours after his regular shift, often pushing his limits. If there was an opportunity to earn more through additional hours, he grabbed it without hesitation, even if it meant sacrificing his health or sleep.

Seeing his unwavering determination—or perhaps his growing desperation—his boss increased his pay by 10% within his first three months at the company. The gesture was meant to give Isaac some breathing room and encourage him to take care of himself. While the raise provided a small degree of relief, it was far from sufficient to cover the never-ending stream of bills and tuition fees that seemed to grow larger each month.

The relentless 12-hour shifts began taking a toll on Isaac as he reached the six-month mark at the company. Fatigue became a constant companion, and his health started to decline. Despite this, he prioritized work over everything else, not because he wanted to but because he felt he had no other choice. Isaac himself hated overworking, but his circumstances left him no alternative.

"Hey, don't overwork—" A woman in a red velvet suit began to speak but trailed off when she noticed Isaac had fallen asleep at his desk, his head resting on a stack of papers.

The woman was none other than Mia, his boss—and also his girlfriend. Their relationship was a story of its own. They had first met during his freshman year of college, where Mia was a confident, driven third-year student.

One thing led to another, and they eventually began dating. Isaac, when he wasn't burdened by stress, had a quiet charm about him that Mia found irresistible. After she graduated, Mia found a job and, despite her own struggles, supported Isaac through his college years. She even went so far as to pay his tuition fees, a gesture that Isaac deeply appreciated but often felt guilty about. They lived together in a shared apartment, where their relationship grew stronger over time.

Isaac worked diligently in college and secured a good job after graduating, thanks to his own merit and a bit of help from Mia. Before becoming his boss, she had put in a good word for him with HR when he submitted his resume. Even now, as his boss, Mia continued to support him financially, despite his constant protests.

"O—Mia, sorry... I fell asleep," Isaac mumbled groggily as he struggled to open his eyes and sit up straight.

"That's fine. A little nap won't hurt this multi-billion-dollar MNC," she teased with a playful wink. "Besides, I like seeing your cute, defenseless face when you're asleep."

It was already past 7:00 p.m., long after office hours. The only reason Mia stayed so late every day was Isaac—she insisted on picking him up and dropping him off, as he didn't own a car or bike.

"You know, you can leave, right? I appreciate you caring about me, but I don't want to drag you into my mess," Isaac said, his voice laced with guilt.

"Where did that come from? Just be grateful you have a caring girlfriend like me," she replied, pouting playfully, her porcelain face adorned with an exaggerated expression of mock annoyance.

"And listen, you're not in this mess alone. We're together. Why can't you just accept my help? You wouldn't be so burdened if you let me support you," she added, her tone softening into one of genuine concern.

Mia was right. If Isaac accepted her help, his family's financial situation could improve drastically. But his reluctance wasn't solely about ego—it was also about guilt. Mia had already done so much for him during his college years, covering every expense, from clothes to food to rent. Asking for more help now felt shameful to him, as though he were taking advantage of her generosity.

"I know..." Isaac muttered quietly, his gaze dropping to his desk. He couldn't argue with her, but the guilt was hard to shake.

Even though he refused her help directly, he knew Mia was still sending money to his family every month. Nearly half of her salary went toward supporting his household, even though she never mentioned it.

"Hey! Just marry me! I don't care about rings or a fancy proposal. Just marry me so I can officially be obligated to share your burden," Mia exclaimed, leaning in close, her face just inches from his.

"Hahaha!" Isaac laughed, finding her demand absurdly funny despite her dead-serious expression.

Without warning, he wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her close in a tight embrace. As he held her, he leaned in and whispered softly...

(End of Chapter)

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