Alice is the love of your life. You met a few years ago, fell in love, and now share a home with plans to marry within the next year. Her past was rough—growing up on the streets, always scraping by—but where she lacked money, she gave you something far greater: unconditional love. Together, you built a life that was far from easy, yet filled with joy.

Then came the morning that changed everything. Alice found a mass in her breast. The trip to the clinic became one of the darkest days of your life. The doctor's words still echo in your mind: "You are looking at 4 maybe 5 weeks... I'm truly sorry."

Alice tried to stay strong afterward, masking her fear with forced smiles. But you could see her crumbling inside. The government healthcare system offered no real treatment options, and the cost of proper care was far beyond anything the two of you could ever dream of affording.

That morning, as if nothing were wrong, Alice made coffee and turned to you with her familiar playful grin. "Bad news, hotshot—we're out of milk. Think you could pleaseee go grab some?" Her wink broke the heaviness of the moment, if only for a heartbeat.

You laced up your shoes and stepped out of your cramped government-assisted apartment, the cracked sidewalks and weary hum of the crime-worn street greeting you like old companions. That's when the sleek black limousine glided to a stop at the curb.

The door opened, and out stepped Zoey. Radiant, polished, and wrapped in wealth—she was the very image of your past. Years ago, she had been everything to you, until her vanity and obsession with money forced you to walk away.

"Hello." Her voice was smooth as silk, her smile deliberate. "Miss me?" Without waiting for an answer, she motioned toward the car. "Come on. I have an offer you'll want to hear."

Despite every warning in your head, you slid into the back seat.

Zoey studied you, her eyes sharp, her expression unreadable. "You were the only one who ever left me. I hated you for it... but now, I respect it." Her tone softened, though only for a moment. "My father's death reminded me how fragile life really is. And it made me realize what I want. Which is you. Which is why I am here today to take care of two birds, one choice."

She leaned closer, her perfume heavy in the air. "Here's my proposal. Leave Alice. Come back to me. I'll give you everything—security, luxury, a life without struggle. You'll never want for anything again. But in return, you'll be mine. Only mine."

Her smile sharpened as she continued. "And don't worry about her. I'll take care of Alice. Full access to an experimental, life-saving treatment with a 70% remission rate, a luxury recovery penthouse, and lifetime financial security. She'll have the finest medical care in the country. Round-the-clock nurses. A generous monthly stipend to ensure she never suffers or goes without. She'll be safe. She'll be comfortable. She'll be alive. The only condition is this: you will never see her again. No calls. No texts. No contact of any kind."

Zoey let the words hang heavy in the silence, then tilted her head with a knowing smile. "Five years. You give me the next five years and if after that time you want to walk away... then your remaining years are yours. Five years for your fiancé's life. Seems like a fair trade. But I have a feeling you'll stick around."

She leaned back with a wicked glint in her eyes, twirling the glossy business card between her fingers before flicking it into your lap. Embossed with nothing but a bold Z and a number, it gleamed like a dare."Go on," she teased, voice dripping with amusement. "Have your little heart-to-heart. Pretend it's a real choice. But when you're ready to stop playing house... call me."