Million Dollars

Arabella’s heart pounded as she held her father’s hand. Though worry and nervousness gripped her, she masked it with a warm, reassuring smile. She wanted him to believe everything would be fine.

“You’ll be fine, Dad. You’ll see,” she said softly. “I’ll be here, waiting until your operation is finished.”

Her voice wavered slightly, but she fought to hold back the tears threatening to spill.

“We have to go,” one of the medical staff reminded her gently.

Arabella took a deep breath, squeezing her father’s hand one last time. “Stay strong and fight to survive, or I’ll be mad at you,” she added with a playful pout. Her heart warmed when he managed a weak smile and nodded slightly.

She released his hand and watched as the medical team wheeled his bed toward the operating room.

“Ara, how about you go home first and get changed?” suggested Merly, their kind-hearted neighbor. “The operation will take hours. You’re still wearing the gown from last night.”

Arabella released a relieved sigh. She was glad she had chosen a cocktail dress last night that wasn’t too revealing. It was something simple and easy to wear, with a length just above her knees. She hadn’t applied much makeup either, keeping an almost natural look. Yet, that didn’t stop her from catching the attention of nearly everyone who glanced her way.

Arabella was already used to it. Many people would comment on how she was blessed with good looks and a great physique. She was often mistaken for a celebrity, perhaps a rising star. Many had approached her with offers to scout her, but Arabella ignored them. She wanted to finish college first, as her initial plan was to become a doctor.

“It’s fine, Merly. I want to stay and wait,” Arabella replied, settling into one of the chairs in the waiting area.

“Alright then, I will ask Mila to bring you some clothes to change into. Let me buy you something to eat,” Merly said and she simply nodded and murmured, “Thank you.”

Merly had always looked out for them, and Arabella appreciated her presence, though she 

couldn’t ignore the way Merly doted on her father. It was obvious to Arabella that Merly had feelings for him.

Mila, on the other hand, was Merly’s daughter, and Arabella could barely get along with her. The woman was the same age as her and was a pain in the ass. That was probably why her father didn’t want to pursue Merly, seeing how she and Mila were like cat and mouse. But for her father’s happiness, she could surely tolerate Mila’s childishness and pettiness.

Leo, her co-worker at the laboratory, approached her and asked, “Bella, how is your father? If you want, you can stay in our station instead and just monitor the operation from our office.”

He was a nice man and one of her suitors. She smiled at him and said, “It’s fine, Leo. I’d rather stay and wait here.”

“Alright then, but use this for now. It’s cold,” he said, offering her his jacket. Arabella nodded weakly and accepted it.

“Thank you, Leo. Go back to your post already,” she said with a smile. Leo took a deep breath, nodded, and walked away, leaving Arabella alone with her thoughts. 

Arabella glanced at the operating room doors, her mind heavy with worry. She was sure people were speculating about how she could afford such an expensive operation for her father, complete with the best medical team and a VIP suite.

Arabella smirked bitterly. She could imagine the rumors… whispers about a sugar daddy or even involvement with the hospital director. But none of that mattered. All that mattered was her father.

Just then, Merly arrived with a burger and coffee. “Here, eat this first,” she said.

Arabella quickly accepted it and began eating immediately, she was starving. After finishing the burger and while sipping her coffee, she glanced around, her thoughts shifting to the worry of messing with Sebastian Bancroft. She had a feeling the man might show up out of nowhere or worse, he might send his men to find and get her.

With how powerful that man was, she was certain he would be able to uncover everything about her and where she was right now.

An hour passed, and Mila arrived with a crumpled face, grudgingly handing her some paper bags. “Who said I’m your errand girl?” she complained.

“Mila, will you be nice just once?” Merly scolded her.

Arabella accepted her things from Mila and said, “Thank you, Mila.”

“I also grabbed your mobile phone because it kept ringing,” Mila murmured. “I think you got scammed, though, so don’t click on every link you get.”

Then she turned to Merly and said, “Mom, come on, let’s go home. Ara’s here anyway. Geez, I can’t believe you’re this head over heels for Uncle Arlan! I know he’s handsome, a good guy, and I like him too, but he’s sick. Do you really want to take care of a sick person?”

“You brat!”

“Ouch!” Mila cried as Merly pinched her ear.

Arabella couldn’t help but smile, watching the mother and daughter bicker. To be honest, those two were always quarreling, but she could see how much they loved and cared for each other.

She was already used to Mila’s way of speaking, which had no filter. Mila was just the type to say whatever was on her mind without considering if someone might get hurt.

“Please go already, and thank you for last night and today. I’ll look after my dad from here,” Arabella interrupted, reassuring the older woman with a nod.

“Alright then, we’ll leave now. But make sure to call me if you need anything, alright?” Merly said with a hum.

Arabella nodded with a smile as the two left. Once alone, she checked her mobile phone and bit her lip as she read the notification for bank transfers to her account. No wonder Mila thought it was a scam; she had probably seen the notification saying she had received a million dollars.

She gulped, scrolling to the next message from an unknown number.

Unknown Number: “The hospital bills are paid for as we agreed, so you don’t need to worry about that. Use the money I sent for your father’s recovery and to start a better life than you have now.”

“Miss Arabella Winters?”

An unfamiliar man’s voice snapped her back to reality, and Arabella raised her head to look at him.