the past few days I had been tagging along with a matchmaking group my intention to enjoy the free food and drinks at the events while blending into the Lively atmosphere honestly I wasn't there to find love but rather to amuse myself by observing the dating habits of modern bachelors and bachelorettes the group wasn't just young singles among the members were a handful of elderly women eagerly seeking matches for their children one day one of these women dropped a bombshell that sent the group into a frenzy she casually announced I own 53 rental properties three mansions
and five adorable cats all of this along with additional assets will be inherited by my only son on top of that I'm willing to provide my future daughter-in-law with a monthly allowance of $50,000 the chat erupted with messages from women of all backgrounds buying for her attention questions flooded in asking if her claims were true with confidence she confirmed her statement but then she added there's just one condition my son is in a vegetative state I hope his future wife won't mind a heavy silence fell over the group but I couldn't help chuckling to me
this sounded like a golden opportunity wrapped in a Velvet Bow I had already decided long ago that marriage wasn't part of my plans why tie myself down life was better lived on my own terms but if marrying a man in a vegetative statement Financial Freedom that didn't sound too bad I Clara Foster had one great love in life money without hesitation I sent a message in the group chat why would I mind your son is clearly my destined Sleeping Prince the group exploded in laughter and Applause messages poured in calling me bold funny and even
Shameless I didn't care to me it was all worth it moments later the woman messaged me privately are you serious do you actually want to marry my son or are you just joking of course I'm serious why for the money I replied bluntly there was no point in sugarcoating it I was in it for the fortune she went silent and I assumed I had blown my chance but to my surprise I received a transfer notification she had sent me $500 as a travel allowance and inv invited me to visit her at Mansion 9 in Blue
Wave Bay located in Golden Meadows she promised a warm welcome Golden Meadows was the most exclusive neighborhood in the city with Mansions averaging over $1 million this woman wasn't just Rich she was obscenely wealthy grinning I shamelessly accepted the money and set off immediately when I arrived at Manion 9 I was greeted by an atmosphere of luxury and elegance the mansion's ex exterior was stunning with meticulously maintained Gardens and an air of nobility that made me feel slightly out of place after straightening my hair and smoothing my clothes I rang the doorbell a glamorous woman
in her 40s opened the door her radiant smile lighting up the entrance she exuded sophistication appearing no older than her early 30s her Flawless skin and impeccable fashion sense made me feel like I was meeting a celebrity hello my name is Clara Foster I introduce myself extending a hand I'm a graduate of a prestigious IV league university currently preparing for the Civil Service examination the woman Olivia Harrington shook my hand warmly her eyes gleaming with approval you're young beautiful and accomplished wonderful after exchanging pleasantries she invited me inside pouring tea as we sat in the
opulent living room she asked about my background family work and aspirations my parents divorced when I was young and neither of them kept in touch with me I've been on my own ever since I explained as for work I'm a fashion designer with an annual salary of around $100,000 Emily nodded thoughtfully her expression difficult to read she didn't push further and soon motion for me to follow her upstairs are we going to meet my Sleeping Prince now I teased lightly she smiled softly yes my son is also my precious Sleeping Prince we climbed to the
third floor and entered a bedroom I wasn't expecting much I had already stealed myself for a purely transactional relationship I didn't need romance or affection all I needed was to secure the arrangement and fulfill my part but the moment I saw him my breath caught he lay peacefully on the bed his long lashes casting delicate Shadows on his cheeks his features were so refined they seemed like the work of a master sculptor the sharp lines of his collar bones peaked out from under his shirt exuding an almost ethereal Elegance my heart skipped a beat and
my mind raised this this is my prince for the first time I felt something more than ambition or greed was it excitement was it attraction whatever it was one thing became clear this was not going to be as straightforward as I had imagined I never expected my Sleeping Prince to be so breathtakingly handsome he looked like he had stepped out of a magazine for years I had been indifferent to men but now everything seemed different perhaps the rumors were true appearances really did have a strange power over us Emily the poised woman at his bedside
gently held her son's hand patting It Softly As She glanced at me her voice was calm but her eyes betrayed a deep sadness Isabella this is my son Marcus his father passed away when he was just a child I prayed for him to grow up strong and healthy but fate had other plans her voice wavered and tears filled her eyes as she stared at Marcus's still form a wave of sympathy washed over me although I was here for selfish reasons it was impossible not to feel the weight of this family's tragedy maybe a miracle will
happen and Marcus will wake up I said attempting to offer a glimmer of hope she shook her head her lips quivering he's been under treatment for so long and the doctors have confirmed that his condition is permanent her voice cracked and fresh tears threatened to fall unable to find the right words I chose to remain silent after a while Emily composed herself and led me back downstairs Isabella if you're willing you can move in now stay stay here for 6 months and if you don't change your mind we can talk about the marriage I blinked
surprised move in Nows yes my commitments in Silver Lake have been delayed far too long and I must leave soon the staff will help you settle in treat this house as your own she said with a reassuring smile I glanced around at the opulent Mansion moving in here felt like stepping into a dream this place radiated luxury and comfort our all right I agreed with a nod her trust in me was unexpected but I wasn't going to waste the opportunity Emily smiled warmly good since you're here for financial reasons I'll need to conduct a full
background check that's fine with you isn't it what a straightforward woman of course I replied without hesitation she shook my hand firmly you're honest Isabella and I like that about you over the past 2 years I've met many potential daughters-in-law but none of them felt right you're the first who seems genuine her words caught me off guard genuine me still I managed a polite smile and nodded I'll leave everything to you just keep Marcus company talk to him and let the staff handle the rest I'll transfer your allowance monthly she added I couldn't stop myself
from nodding enthusiastically that very day Emily departed for Silver Lake and I officially moved into the mansion with just a few bags the Butler and Maids were indeed present though they had little to do in such a well-maintained home most of the time they lingered around idly leaving me to my own devices I chose the room next to Marcus's it was bright and Airy with large windows that overlooked the garden a perfect spot for relaxing or studying after unpacking I decided to visit Marcus when I entered his room he looked just as peaceful as before
in the soft light his handsome features seemed even more striking what a waste I murmured under my breath a prince like you doesn't belong in the state taking a seat by his bed I introduced myself with a small grin hello Mr Marcus it's a pleasure to meet you I'm Isabella Foster your future wife from today onwards I'll be taking care of you as expected he didn't respond later I returned to my room and pulled out my laptop curiosity got the better of me and I started researching vegetative States I learned there were three types one
where patients had minimal Consciousness another where they could open their eyes subconsciously but remained unaware and the last a permanent vegetative state where no consciousness remained at all unfortunately Marcus fell into the third category I also looked into the chances of recovery while there were cases of miraculous recoveries they were incredibly rare one in a million at best techniques like stimulation and massage could offer slight Improvement but the odds were practically non-existent with a sigh I closed the laptop a 1 in a million chance was as good as no chance at all a faint cough
startled me pulling me for my thoughts the cough had startled me but I dismissed it as a coincidence perhaps one of the staff had been passing by and I had simply overreacted still the unease lingered the next day I woke up early and decided to visit Marcus again his room was as silent as ever and he lay there motionless with the same Serene expression I sat by his side observing his face for a long moment it was hard to believe that someone so incredibly beautiful could be trapped in a body without Consciousness hesitantly I took
his hand and spoke softly I know you can't hear me but I hope in some way you can feel that I'm here I brushed my fingers across his forehead a reflexive gesture and was struck by the smoothness of his skin you don't deserve this I muttered more to myself than to him I know I'm here for selfish reasons I'm doing this for the money but maybe maybe in some way this is better than nothing maybe you know deep down that someone is here for you over the following days my routine began to revolve around Marcus
in the mornings I would visit him talk about mundane things and read aloud from whatever book I could find in the house in the afternoons I took time for myself strolling through the gardens or attempting to study though my thoughts often wandered at night before bed I would stopped by his room for a brief good night conversation one evening as I was saying goodbye I noticed something odd his hand felt warmer than usual it was subtle but it caught my attention I told myself it was nothing just my imagination yet that night I dreamed of
him in the dream Marcus opened his eyes and smiled at me his smile was warm almost radiant and though his lips moved I couldn't understand what he was saying I woke up with a start my heart racing and found it difficult to fall back asleep in the days that followed small details began to gnaw at me one of the maids casually mentioned hearing a sound from Marcus's room during the night but I dismissed it as Her Imagination still something seemed to be shifting whether in him or in me I wasn't sure I began to feel
an inexplicable connection to him as though he were becoming a part of my life in a way I hadn't anticipated then one morning while I was holding his hand and reading to him I felt it a faint movement it was so slight I almost doubted myself but his hand had undeniably responded to mine my breath caught and I stared at him searching for any other signs of awareness his face remained as still as ever but I couldn't shake what I had felt Marcus can you hear me I whispered my voice trembling of course there was
no answer but my heart pounded in my chest I reported what I had experienced to The Family Doctor Who came to examine him the diagnosis remained the same a permanent vegetative state however the doctor encouraged me to continue interacting with him there's no harm in providing stimulation even if the chances of recovery are slim engagement is beneficial he said in a clinical tone I left the conversation frustrated but more determined than ever if something was changing I needed to understand it one evening while walking through the garden and reflecting on my life and the choices
that had brought me here I heard a sound from Marcus's room this time it wasn't a cough but something resembling a soft groan I rushed upstairs my heart racing when I entered he was as I had left him still and peaceful yet the atmosphere in the room felt heavier almost charged that's when I noticed the balcony door was open and the curtains were billowing in the breeze I closed the door but couldn't shake the feeling that something was happening I began to notice changes in the behavior of the house staff as well the butler usually
calm and composed Ed seemed tense the maids whispered to one another abruptly stopping when I approached I asked them directly if something was wrong but they insisted everything was fine one night I woke up with a strange feeling and decided to check on Marcus when I entered his room I nearly stumbled something was off the bed looked slightly different as though someone had adjusted it a faint scent lingered in the air like perfume though I hadn't worn any that day my pulse quickened as I scanned the room for an explanation I must be imagining things
I murmured to myself leaving quickly but the feeling wouldn't leave me day by day it grew stronger it was as if there was something everyone in the house knew something I was being kept in the dark about I was certain something was happening in that house something no one wanted me to know the feeling that the staff knew more than they were letting on consumed me day by day my relationship with Marcus which had initially been based on self-interest had transformed into something I couldn't explain he was there motionless yet his presence was so strong
it was impossible to ignore that night I waited until everyone in the house was asleep the absolute silence made every sound feel thunderous but I was determined I crept into Marcus's room lit only by the Moonlight streaming through the curtains he was as he always was but there was something about the atmosphere that made me feel I wasn't alone I approached his bed and for the first time decided to examine the details around him that's when I noticed something strange a small Journal tucked under the bedside table almost out of sight carefully I retrieved it
and returned to my room my heart pounded as I opened it revealing Pages filled with elegant handwriting likely Emily's the journal told a story that felt surreal Emily recounted how Marcus had entered his vegetative state after a car accident but his condition wasn't entirely natural according to her writings an experimental treatment had been administered something that was supposed to help him recover however the results had been unexpected she mentioned strange occurrences sporadic movements sounds he supposedly couldn't make and even the impression that Marcus was conscious but unable to communicate the final entries were chilling Marcus
is trapped between Two Worlds it's not just his body that still his mind is fighting he's not completely here but he hasn't left either the doctors don't believe me but I know he's trying to come back I closed the journal my mind racing I needed answers I returned to Marcus's room a mix of fear and determination driving me sitting beside him I took his hand and spoke softly Marcus if you're here if you can hear me Give Me A Sign nothing happened the room remained silent except for the sound of my rapid heartbeat but then
suddenly I felt a faint squeeze on my hand it was so quick I almost doubted it but the certainty struck me like lightning he was trying to communicate in the days that followed I watched Marcus more closely I spoke to him more often encouraging him to respond small signs began to emerge a slight twitch of a finger the faintest sound of a sigh I knew something was changing the staff began to notice my persistence and grew more reserved as though they feared I was uncovering something they wanted to remain hidden then Emily returned to the
mansion unexpectedly she seemed surprised to see me so involved with Marcus I confronted her holding the journal in my hand and asked directly what really happened to him why are you hiding this Emily hesitated but finally broke down you wouldn't understand I did everything for him I tried to save my son from a worse fate but now now I don't know if I made the right choice she confessed that the experimental treatment had been risky and that doctors had warned it could leave Marcus trapped between life and death even so she had accepted the risk
as the alternative was to let him go her admission shook me but it also stealed my resolve if there's any part of Marcus still here I'm going to bring him back I promised in the months that followed I pour all my energy into helping Marcus recover I read to him played music and encouraged Emily to hire Specialists to evaluate new therapies it was a slow frustrating process full of moments of Doubt but gradually the signs of progress became undeniable one day as I held his hand and spoke about the garden he squeezed my hand again
this time with enough strength to leave no doubt tears streamed down my face as I whispered you're coming back Marcus I know you are the progress was gradual but undeniable after months of effort Marcus opened his eyes for the first time the moment was brief but it was filled with meaning his gaze met mine and for a second it felt as though everything around us had stopped he tried to speak but only a raspy sound came out even so it was enough to fill me with hope Emily wept with relief at seeing her son finally
show signs of ious the Mansion once So Silent became a place of Renewed Energy the doctors were astonished calling it a miracle but I knew it wasn't just luck it was Marcus's fight and the connection we had somehow built in the end I realized my initial motivation for being there had disappeared the money no longer mattered I was there for Marcus for the person he was and the life he still had ahead of him as he continued to fight I promised to stay by by his side not because I had to but because I wanted
to what had begun as a cold agreement had turned into something real Marcus was coming back and I knew that together we could face anything
