Chapter 4

"Once you sign this, there is no going back." Jacob warns.

Jacob came to the hospital quickly, arriving just five minutes after I called him. It was almost as if he was already on his way here.

"My sister is dying. I have no other choice." I say.

Jacob lets out a deep sigh and hands me the pen. "You should sign here and there." He says, pointing to the areas on the document that need my signature.

I take the pen, looking at the contract, my heart is pounding in my chest. Just two signatures and my life will flip. I don't know if I can do this. I only know that once I sign on this, I'm done. The Lycan will ruin my life, I just know it.

And with all I've heard about him, I can feel my life crumbling down already. He's a monster, and I don't know how I'm going to survive living with him for 182 days. It’s gonna be a nightmare but at the same time, I can't let Layla suffer. She's been through enough, and I promised her that I’m not gonna let anything happen to her; I have to keep my promise.

I try to read the contract, but I couldn’t concentrate. Maybe it’s because I feel like I'm standing on the edge of a cliff, about to jump into the unknown. Or maybe because I’m too worried about Layla. Taking a deep breath, I sign the contract, my hands shaking as I do. I know I'm taking a risk, but I have to do everything in my power to save Layla.

"And my work here is done." Jacob says collecting the pen from my hand "Consider your sister’s operation done. The doctors will start treating her now and we will meet tomorrow."

I am about to speak but because I could, I hear my name being called from behind me. I turn around to see Matt.

A wave of relief brushes over me as I sigh "Matt."

He approaches me and wraps his arms around me. "What are you doing here?" I ask pulling out of the hug. I didn’t think he will come but I’m glad he did.

"I just saw your message, how is Layla doing."

"She’s not really doing well but it’s gonna be fine."

"I’m sorry, I’m just coming but it’s okay because I brought some extra cash, though I don’t think it’s gonna be enough."

"Ohh, that’s okay, I already made the payment."

"You did?" He inquires lifting his gaze to look at Jacob and then me "How did you get the money?"

I wack my brain for an answer before I respond "I sold some of things."

"Some of yore things?" He inquires

"Yeah and my boss, she leaned me some money." I say

Matt looks like he’s about to speak but before he could, Jacob says "Well, my work here is done Bella, so I guess I will see you tomorrow." He turns around and walks away.

"What was he doing here?" Matt ask me

"I don’t know." I shrug. I can’t tell Matt anything about the contract, he will flip out when he finds out and I’m not really to handle that drama.

"Do you guys know each other?" He inquires

"He’s the Lycan’s twin brother"

"I know, but do you know him?" He asks, his voice laced with insecurity. "He said you'll meet tomorrow. What does that mean?"

Matt can be very possessive when it comes to me talking to other guys. He hates it when he sees me with other guys or something like that. I don't know how to reassure him that he's the only one for me.

"It’s about work."

"You work for him now?" He asks

"No, I don’t. He only said that because he comes to the cafe every day to get his after-training coffee." I explain

"Ohh okay. The Lycan’s brother has way more things to do than woo a waitress anyways." He scoffs as we walk to the waiting chair.

I ignore what he says because one thing with Matt is that he likes to convince himself even though most times his convincing affects me.

Matt takes a sit on the waiting chair while I approach Layla’s hospital room. I need to make sure the doctors are preparing for her operation. I am about to open the door when I hear Kate speaks from behind me.

"She’s not in there, she was just taken to the operation room." She says

"Thank god." I release a breath of relief. I just hope everything goes smoothly and Layla gets better.

"Bella, where did you get that much money?" Kate asks, her voice laced with suspicion. "I know Matt didn't send any money, and your boss didn't either. So where did you get it from?" Kate's eyes bore into mine, and I feel a pang of guilt as I think about the contract.

"It’s not important, the only important thing here is that Layla will be fine," I say trying to avoid eye contact

"She will be but what about you?" She asks

"What about me?" I inquire

"Are you okay?" Her voice sinks into worrisome

"Yes, I am."

"Are you sure? You know I’m there for you if you want to talk."

"I know and trust me, I’m fine. You don’t have to worry about me."

I can tell that Kate is worried about me and I wish I can tell her about the contract but I don't want to burden her with my problems. It’s bad enough she’s worried about Layla, I don’t want her getting more worried.

~ AUSTIN’S POV

Standing up from my chair and walking to the window with a cup of coffee, I look out and take in the scene before me. Many cars are trying to beat traffic and make it to work. It’s always a busy day. My gaze turns to the crowd of people swarming the sidewalk and heading toward the various buildings in the center of the city.

I take a deep breath as the sun shines on my face. A ring sounds, snapping me out of my thoughts. Setting my coffee mug on the table, I pick up my phone. The caller ID reads Jacob.

"Hello," I say, answering the phone.

"Congratulations, she just signed the contract."

A smirk spreads across my face as he says that. I knew she'd do that, and just as I planned, she signed it the moment I planned she would. "That's fantastic news, isn't it?" I say.

"It is, I’m just glad your little talks are over, although I still don’t get this whole deal of yours. Why can’t you just get her the normal way?"

I scoffed "You won’t understand. Some things are better gotten with force."

"Okay that’s weird but anyways my work for you is done. I’m heading to the south, I hope you made all plans as you promised?"

"It’s all planned. Thanks, bro." I say.

"Alright. I’ll see you in a month." With that, he ends the call.

A smile tugs around the corner of my lips as I lean against my desk. I knew she’d reject the contract and then accept it. I knew the hospital will be the place she’d sign it and so I made her go there. And I know she’s still at the hospital with her neighbor and so-called boyfriend.

I know everything and just like that I always knew you’d come back to me, Bella. And now that you’re gonna, I’m not letting history repeat itself.