I was drowning in hospital bills when a stranger in a suit offered me a deal: pretend to be his fiancée, and he’d save my father’s life. I had no choice but to say yes. Then I met his brother…
The day started like any other, but by noon, my entire world had collapsed.
My phone buzzed just as I was locking my apartment door. I almost didn’t answer: spam calls had been relentless lately, but something made me pick up.
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“Miss Carter?” The voice was calm and professional. “This is Dr. Reynolds. I’m calling about your father.”
“Is he okay?” My voice cracked on the last word.
There was a pause, a measured breath. “His condition has worsened. He needs surgery immediately. Without it… his chances are low.”
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I pressed my back against the doorframe, gripping the phone so hard my fingers ached.
“How much?”
The number crashed over me like a tidal wave. Too high. Impossible. I barely heard anything after that.
I just murmured a weak “I’ll figure it out” before ending the call.
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But I had nothing. No savings. No family to ask for help. Just a café job that barely covered rent.
By the time I arrived at work, my chest felt hollow. I barely noticed the smell of coffee beans or the familiar chime of the bell as I pushed through the door. I made a beeline for my manager.
“Lisa, I… I need an advance. Please. Anything you can spare.”
Lisa’s face softened, but her hands twisted nervously.
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“Sophie, I wish I could do more. Two months’ salary is the best I can offer.”
It wasn’t enough. But I forced a nod, blinking hard.
“Thank you. I… I appreciate it.”
The weight in my chest only grew heavier. Two months’ salary wasn’t nearly enough. It wouldn’t even cover half of what I needed.
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I blinked hard, willing the sting behind my eyes to disappear. Crying wouldn’t fix anything. Exhaling shakily, I turned back toward the café floor. And that’s when I felt it.
Someone was watching me.
The sensation crawled up my spine, a quiet, lingering gaze that felt too deliberate to ignore. I glanced up. A man sat near the window, his eyes locked onto me.
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He wasn’t pretending to skim a menu or glance around absentmindedly. He was watching. Listening.
The café wasn’t loud. My conversation with Lisa hadn’t been a whisper. He must have caught every desperate word. Heat rushed to my cheeks.
Who is he?
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For months, another man always sat in that spot. We had never spoken beyond polite exchanges, but I noticed him. He never rushed, never buried himself in his phone, never seemed in a hurry to leave.
He always ordered the same thing. Black coffee. No sugar. No cream.
I even started adding an extra cookie to his plate. He never said anything, never questioned it, but he always smiled before leaving.
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And I had foolishly imagined, just once, that maybe one day he’d do more than smile.
But that day, he wasn’t there. Instead, a different man sat in his place.
Older. Sharper. Dressed in a suit that radiated quiet authority. He stirred his coffee with slow, deliberate movements, his gaze flicking toward me before shifting away.
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I forced myself to move, to pretend I hadn’t noticed. But my stomach twisted.
I didn’t know who he was. I didn’t know what he wanted.
And I had no idea that by the end of the night, he would change everything.
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***
Later that evening, I walked home, my body aching from the long shift, my mind tangled in numbers, hospital bills, and the crushing weight of impossibility. I barely noticed the cold creeping through my thin jacket or the flickering streetlights overhead.
I just kept walking. The streets were quiet, the usual city hum softened by the late hour.
Then, a car slowed beside me.
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I stiffened, gripping my bag a little tighter. The tinted window rolled down, and a deep, controlled voice called my name.
“Sophie.”
I froze mid-step.
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It was him. The man from the café. The one who had taken the seat of my regular customer that day—the one I always brought an extra cookie to.
Every instinct screamed at me, “Keep walking! Ignore him. This is how true crime documentaries start.”
But something about his tone made me pause. It wasn’t commanding. It wasn’t threatening. It was… certain.
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“You don’t need to be afraid,” he said, as if reading my thoughts. “I just want to talk.”
I turned, keeping a cautious distance. “Who are you?”
“Steven.”
He leaned slightly toward the open window, his dark eyes sharp, assessing.
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“Get in. I’ll explain everything.”
I huffed out a laugh. “Yeah, that’s not happening.”
His lips twitched.
“Fair enough.”
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He exhaled, tapping his fingers against the steering wheel. “Then I’ll talk here.”
“I’m listening.”
His gaze met mine.
“My father is handing over control of our family business soon. But there’s a condition—he wants to see me as a settled man. Stable. Engaged.”
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“And that affects me how?”
Steven studied me for a moment. Then, with a quiet certainty, he said, “Because I need a fiancée.”
I let out a sharp, incredulous laugh. “You’re joking.”
“I’m not.”
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He let the silence stretch just long enough before adding, “And you need money. I heard you talking to your manager.”
My fingers curled into fists. “You were listening?”
“I see an opportunity, I take it. You need money. I need a fiancée. It’s simple.”
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Simple. Right. Except nothing about this feels simple at all.
“You… want me to pretend to be your fiancée?”
“A few weeks. Public appearances. My father believes I’ve finally settled down, and in return… I’ll pay for your father’s surgery.”
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I could refuse. Walk away. Pretend this conversation never happened. But then what? My father would suffer. His condition would worsen.
I didn’t remember saying yes. But an hour later, I was in a dressing room, surrounded by silk dresses and designer heels, staring at a reflection I didn’t recognize.
The girl in the mirror looked polished. Elegant. Someone who belonged in Steven’s world.
I wasn’t that girl. But for the following few weeks… I would have to be.
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***
Steven’s father’s birthday came. It was our grand debut as a couple.
The mansion was breathtaking. It wasn’t just big, the kind of place you saw in magazines, the kind of house that didn’t feel real.
A live band played soft jazz in the background, and waiters in crisp black uniforms weaved through the crowd with trays of champagne.
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I kept my shoulders back, my posture perfect, just as Steven had instructed. Every movement mattered. Every glance, every smile. We were on display.
Steven played his part flawlessly. He smiled at all the right moments and whispered small reassurances whenever I hesitated.
“Relax,” he murmured in my ear as we walked further into the room. “You look perfect.”
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His father, a tall, commanding man approached us. His sharp eyes scanned me from head to toe.
“Father,” Steven said smoothly. “This is Sophie.”
“Ah, so this is the young woman you’ve been hiding from us,” his father said, his voice rich with skepticism. “Lovely.”
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And then I saw him. My regular. The man whose absence I had felt that very morning. The one I had secretly admired for months without knowing his name.
But finally, I did. Steven’s father introduced him with a proud smile.
Oliver. Steven’s brother.
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His gaze locked onto mine, and I knew instantly—he recognized me too. He didn’t approach right away. He waited. He watched. And then, when the moment was just right, he made his move.
“Fancy seeing you here,” he said casually, stepping closer.
“Oliver…”
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“You know, I’ve spent months trying to work up the nerve to ask you out. But it turns out I didn’t need to. My brother beat me to it.”
“I…”
“I came to that café every morning just to see you,” he continued, ignoring my attempt to speak. “I thought maybe one day, I’d stop being a coward and say something. But I never did.”
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He let out a quiet laugh. “Instead, I followed you home a few times. Not in a creepy way…”
“Oliver.”
“…just because I couldn’t find the right words.”
I could tell him the truth. I could explain everything and end the lie before it spiraled any further.
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But then my father’s face flashed in my mind. The hospital. The money.
I turned away, slipped my hand into Steven’s, and leaned up to kiss him.
The first time a lie had ever tasted so bitter.
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***
The next morning, Steven placed a check in front of me.
“Here.”
I stared at the paper. The amount was more than enough to cover my father’s surgery and keep him comfortable for months. My hands trembled as I picked it up. But instead of relief, all I felt was emptiness.
“You are playing your part well. Maybe we should continue this… see if there’s something real between us.”
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I set the check back on the table.
“I can’t. I thought I could pretend, but even one more day would be unbearable. The truth is… from the very beginning, I’ve been in love with your brother.”
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For a moment, Steven said nothing. His jaw tightened, his fingers tapping against the table. I braced for anger, accusations, something. But when he finally spoke, his voice was calm.
“I can’t keep you here. Thank you for the evening.”
His eyes flicked to the check on the table before he pocketed it without a word. Then, without another glance, he walked out, leaving me alone.
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***
The following night, just as I was locking up the café, the door opened.
Oliver! He stepped forward, holding something out.
“Take it,” he said, pressing the paycheck into my hands. “Even if we never see each other again. I want to help your father.”
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He knew. Steven must have told him everything.
“Oliver, I…”
“You didn’t have to lie,” he interrupted gently. “You could’ve just asked. I would have helped. No deals. No charades.”
Tears burned at the back of my eyes. I looked down at the check, then back at him.
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“I was always happy when you came to the café. I used to put an extra cookie on your plate, hoping you’d notice.”
“I noticed.”
“I made a desperate choice. I just wanted to help my father…”
“You don’t have to explain. Steven realized his mistake because of how honest you were. And because of that, I get to be here with you now.”
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The burden of guilt, of fear, of uncertainty, it wasn’t all gone, but it was lighter. Oliver glanced at the check in my hands, then back at me.
“Come on. Let’s go to the hospital and talk to the doctor about your dad’s treatment.”
I exhaled slowly, feeling the weight of everything settle into something new. Something right. I nodded, letting him take my hand. That time, I wasn’t walking my road alone.
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If you enjoyed this story, read this one: The elderly man at my café ordered dinner for two, but no one ever came. When I learned why, I couldn’t walk away. His love had vanished a year ago—without a trace. What I uncovered changed everything.
This piece is inspired by stories from the everyday lives of our readers and written by a professional writer. Any resemblance to actual names or locations is purely coincidental. All images are for illustration purposes only. Share your story with us; maybe it will change someone’s life.
TERRY CREWS AND HIS STUNNING WIFE STUN FANS WITH GORGEOUS FAMILY PHOTOS
Terry Crews is a proud family man who has been married to his wife, Rebecca King-Crews, for over 30 years. They have a large family and are about to become empty nesters soon.
Recently, broadcaster Hoda Kotb shared a beautiful photo of Terry and his family on Instagram. Many of her followers commented, praising Terry and Rebecca for their lasting love and strong relationship.
In the photo shared by Hoda Kotb, Terry Crews is seen smiling happily with his wife, Rebecca King-Crews, and their kids. They are all wearing matching maroon sweaters and jeans, looking cheerful and united. After the post went live, fans flocked to the comments section to share their admiration for the family.
One user wrote, “Perfect woman and husband,” while another commented, “What a beautiful family, so blessed.” A third person gushed, “They are a very sweet couple!! He truly loves his lady and vice versa!!” Another fan praised Terry as a role model, saying, “One of the best, if not THE BEST male role models in Hollywood.”
The photo of Terry Crews and his family was shared after Terry appeared on “Today with Hoda and Jenna” on June 10, 2024. He was joined by his wife, Rebecca, and they talked about his career success and their family life.
Terry and Rebecca have been married for 35 years, since they tied the knot in July 1989. They have four daughters—Tera, Azriel, Wynfrey, and Naomi—and their youngest, Isaiah. During the interview, Terry openly spoke about Rebecca’s selflessness, revealing that she put aside her own dreams to support their family and help them pursue theirs.
Back then, Rebecca was pursuing a career in singing and acting, but she chose to pause her dreams to support Terry and their family as they got started. Now that Terry has achieved success and their children are grown and following their own paths, Rebecca has decided to pursue her own dreams again.
Rebecca got emotional as she thought about how much the kids have grown. She shared that their son is about to leave for college, calling it “the end of an era” but expressing how proud she is of all her children. “They’re all just amazing people. Beautiful people. I’m proud of that,” said Rebecca.
She explained that giving up her career began when she had her first child. She decided to focus on being a mother instead of trying to balance a career with raising her family.
Rebecca, originally from Michigan, chose to focus on her marriage with Terry and stay at home. It was only ten years ago, when their children were older, that she started to pursue her own interests again. “So, I don’t regret it,” she said, reflecting on her decision.
In a June 2015 interview, Terry talked about their early life and praised Rebecca for teaching him how to be a good father. He shared, “I spent years being the ‘Fun Dad’ to my five children, but they always seemed to respect their mother more. It turns out they needed more than just my love.”
Terry has been embracing fatherhood since he was 20. His journey began in 1989 when he married Rebecca, who already had a two-year-old daughter, Naomi. Terry and Rebecca met when he was 18, and they quickly formed a deep bond, deciding to spend their lives together.
Now, as grandparents to Naomi’s daughter, Miley Crews, Terry and Rebecca continue to support their children in whatever paths they choose. Terry believes that true success comes from family, not just career achievements.
Terry said, “The movies and all the things I’ve done? They’re not my legacy. It’s really my son, and my daughters, and my family. That’s the legacy.”
Even though Terry and Rebecca are proud to show off their family, their journey together hasn’t always been easy. They’ve faced many challenges, but they continue to support each other and remain close.
Being in show business is challenging, and people often admire celebrity couples who manage to balance their careers and marriage. Terry and Rebecca are one of those couples. Despite the difficulties and ups and downs they’ve faced, they have worked through them together, showing that their love and commitment can overcome the obstacles.
Terry and Rebecca first met in the 1980s. At that time, Rebecca had just been crowned Miss Gary Indiana and was attending Western Michigan University to pursue a career in music and theater. Terry was also at the same school, playing football.
Rebecca has shared that it wasn’t love at first sight. In an interview, she explained that they started off as
friends and almost stayed that way. She said, “He almost got stuck in the friend zone. He was a little too nice.”
Eventually, the friendship between Terry and Rebecca turned into romance, and they began dating. By 1990, they were married, and that same year, they welcomed their first child, Azriel.
Terry and Rebecca have faced many challenges throughout their marriage. They’ve dealt with career changes, watched their children grow up, lost their home, and confronted depression.
One major difficulty that nearly tore their marriage apart was Terry’s addiction to adult content. In a May 2021 interview, Terry admitted that being a celebrity made his addiction worse. Despite these struggles, they have worked hard to overcome their problems and stay together.
Terry Crews, known for his role in “Everybody Hates Chris,” described how success became a refuge where he hid his problems. He said that Hollywood’s indifference only made his addiction worse. Terry struggled with his addiction in secret for a long time, which allowed it to grow more severe.
He revealed, “It became a thing where I didn’t tell anybody. It was my secret, nobody knew, and that allowed it to grow, and it got bad. If day turns into night and you are still watching, you probably got a problem, and that was me. I didn’t tell my wife, didn’t tell my friends, nobody knew.”
Two years later, Rebecca is cancer-free and in good health. She and Terry are happier and stronger than ever. Despite all they’ve been through, Rebecca remains grateful. She has noticed a positive change in Terry, seeing him as a softer, gentler, and kinder version of himself.
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