Claire Bennett sat at her desk at Blackwood Enterprises. Her fingers hovered over the keyboard, but she couldn't make herself type. Her mind kept drifting to the huge pile of bills waiting for her at home. The office, usually busy with chatter, felt like a prison to Claire. It was hard to breathe under the weight of her family's debt. The clock on the wall ticked away. It was almost time to leave, but she didn't want to move. The stress pressed down on her, making her feel even heavier.
She looked down at her messy desk. There were client requests, meeting notes, and reports scattered everywhere. But none of that mattered with the chaos at home. Months ago, her father's business had collapsed. It had turned him into a shell of his former self. The once-great family business had crumbled under bad decisions and tough markets. Now, her father hardly left his study. He was no longer the cheerful man he used to be. All that remained was a sadness that hung around him.
Claire's mom wasn't doing much better. The lively woman who brought laughter to their home was now quiet most days. She tried to keep Claire's spirits up, saying things would improve. But Claire saw the fear in her mother's eyes. They were all struggling, trying to swim in a sea of debt, with no life jacket in sight.
Claire's hands shook as she thought of the rising bills. Creditors called every day, demanding payment. It started small but quickly turned into a tidal wave. Claire spent many long nights on the phone, begging for more time and trying to make payment plans. It was exhausting. No matter how hard she worked or what she gave up, the debt just kept growing. It felt like a monster that would never be satisfied.
She thought about her future—or what used to be her future. Claire had always dreamed of starting her own event-planning business. That dream had been her light, a reason to keep pushing forward even when times were tough. But now, it felt too far away. How could she think about starting a business when every waking moment was about keeping her family afloat? She had no savings and no backup plan if things went wrong. That dream was just a fantasy now, one she had to bury to
deal with reality.
Her job at Blackwood Enterprises used to bring her comfort. Now, it was another reminder of how different her dreams were from what life had become. She had been there for almost two years, starting as an intern. She had worked her way up to secretary. It was a decent job, and her boss, Ethan Blackwood, was fair but distant. He never mingled with the staff, always locked in his office. He ran the company with a quiet authority that Claire respected. But even his success couldn't fix her family's troubles.
Claire's mind drifted back to her long-held dream of owning an event-planning business. She spent countless hours learning about the field, brainstorming ideas, and trying to connect with potential clients. She even started a small blog to share her thoughts and tips. But with the heavy burden of debt, any real progress felt impossible.
The more she thought about it, the more hopeless everything seemed. Her dream was fading, like fog disappearing with the sunrise. There was no time to plan, no money to spend, and no way to find clients. Life had drawn a line, and no matter how hard she fought, she couldn't cross it. Her focus shifted from pursuing her passion to merely surviving—keeping her family together and pretending everything was okay when it wasn't.
Just then, a sharp knock broke her thoughts. It was loud and urgent. Claire's heart skipped a beat. She looked up to find Ethan Blackwood standing in the doorway. He was always impeccably dressed, his sharp suit catching everyone's eye. His cold gaze met hers, sending a chill down her spine.
"Claire," he said in a smooth, commanding voice. "I need to speak with you. Now."
Surprised, she blinked. Their conversations were usually quick and straightforward, so this felt different. She quickly stood up, smoothing her blouse and trying to hide her nerves.
"Of course, Mr. Blackwood. What do you need?"
He walked into her office without waiting for an invite and closed the door behind him. His presence felt heavy, and Claire's heart raced. She felt a mix of excitement and fear.
Ethan's eyes searched hers before he spoke again. "I've been looking over some things. I see how hard you're working. I also know you're facing tough challenges at home."
A million thoughts raced through her head. How did he know about her family's struggles? She kept her personal life separate from work as best she could.
"I—I'm not sure what you mean, sir," she stammered, feeling her palms sweat.
His gaze softened slightly. "You're under a lot of stress. I think you're at a breaking point. I can help you. I have a solution."
Claire's heart raced faster. Help her? She felt unsure of what he meant and worried she wouldn't like it.
"I'm listening," she said, trying to keep her voice steady.
Ethan offered a faint smile. "Great. We'll talk more in private. Come to my office after hours. I have a proposition that could change everything for you—and your family."