Chapter 1

Sarah’s POV

I arranged the presentation files carefully on the conference table, aligning each one perfectly in front of a seat. Next, I placed bottles of water beside them, smoothing out the edges of my dress with trembling hands. I exhaled slowly, stepping back to assess my work. Everything was in place for the meeting with Adrian Blackwood, the CEO.

The door swung open, and the board members began filing in, their conversations blending into a steady hum. I took my seat beside my manager, gripping my iPad and light pen, ready to take notes.

Just minutes before the meeting was set to begin, my phone buzzed in my pocket. I hesitated, then leaned toward my manager. “Excuse me, sir. I need to use the restroom.”

He shot me a pointed look. “Make it quick. I don’t want you missing a thing in this meeting.”

I nodded and hurried out, my heels clicking against the polished floor. The elevator doors slid open, and just as I stepped forward, Adrian Blackwood strode out. His attention was locked on his phone, his expression unreadable. A wave of his rich, expensive cologne filled the air, making my breath hitch.

He passed by without a glance, his assistant trailing behind him. I released the breath I hadn’t realized I was holding and stepped into the elevator.

The moment the doors closed, my phone rang again. I pressed it to my ear. “Hello?”

A shaky voice responded, urgency laced in every word. “Miss Nathaniel, you need to come to the hospital. It’s an emergency.”

My heart stuttered. I didn’t need to ask who it was about.

“Nora?” My voice came out as a whisper, my fingers tightening around the phone.

“I can’t say much over the phone, but you need to hurry.”

The call ended.

For a moment, I stood frozen, my mind reeling. Then, with trembling hands, I pressed the button for the ground floor. The elevator felt agonizingly slow. The moment the doors opened, I bolted toward my desk, grabbing my bag.

“I’ll explain later,” I muttered under my breath, already making my way toward the exit.

Nothing mattered more than getting to my daughter.

*

I rushed into the hospital, completely out of breath. A nurse spotted me and approached.

“Sarah, you need to see Dr. Harris. She’s been waiting for you.”

The sterile smell of disinfectant filled my nostrils as I followed her down the hallway, my pulse pounding in my ears. In the consultation room, Dr. Harris—a kind-eyed woman in her sixties—stood waiting.

“Sarah,” she said gently, her voice carrying a weight that made my stomach churn. “We need more money to move forward with the next level of treatment for Nora. Her condition is worsening.”

I gripped the back of a chair to steady myself. “But… but she was doing better last week,” I croaked.

She sighed, sympathy etched into her features. “The medications we’ve been using are no longer effective.”

I shook my head as if that would change the reality of her words. “What does she need?” My voice wavered.

“The new treatment is expensive,” she admitted. “We’re looking at over two million dollars.”

The number hit me like a physical blow.

Two million dollars.

I could barely afford last month’s medication, and my next paycheck was weeks away.

“I… I don’t have that kind of money,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.

Dr. Harris reached out, a soft touch to my shoulder. “I know this is difficult, Sarah, but we need to act fast.”

My chest tightened as hopelessness clawed at me.

“Can I see her?” I asked, desperate for something—anything—I could do.

She hesitated. “Give us an hour. We’re still working on stabilizing her.”

I nodded weakly, fighting the tears threatening to spill.

An hour later, I entered Nora’s room. The sight of her small body—so still, so frail—sent a fresh wave of pain crashing over me. Her lips barely moved, but she managed to whisper, “Mummy.”

A strangled sob escaped me as I rushed to her side, cradling her tiny hand in mine. “I’m here, baby,” I whispered, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “I’m here.”

I wished I could transfer my strength to her, wished I could take away her pain. But all I could do was hold her.

My phone buzzed again. A string of messages from my manager lit up the screen. My stomach twisted.

I looked at my sleeping daughter, my heart breaking at the thought of leaving her. But I had no choice.

“I’ll be back tonight, baby,” I promised, pressing another kiss to her forehead before forcing myself to walk away.

*

By the time I returned to the office, exhaustion weighed down on me.

I barely made it through the door before my manager’s voice cut through the air like a blade.

“Sarah!”

I turned to find him standing by my desk, arms crossed, a scowl twisting his face.

“Where have you been?” he barked. “You can’t just disappear without informing me! I had to handle everything on my own!”

“I’m sorry,” I said, forcing my voice to remain steady. “It was an emergency—my daughter—”

“I don’t care about excuses.” He scoffed, shaking his head. “You left me in a bind. Do you know how unprofessional that is?”

I swallowed hard.

He shoved a thick pile of documents onto my desk. “Here. You have a lot to catch up on. This should keep you busy until nightfall.”

I stared at the stack of reports, dread curling in my stomach. “But—”

“No buts!” His voice was sharp. “We have a meeting with Mr. Blackwood tomorrow, and I won’t have you slacking off.”

I clenched my jaw as he turned and walked away.

I glanced at the clock—already late afternoon.

I’d be working late again.

And I’d miss another moment with Nora.

Tears burned at the back of my eyes, but I blinked them away. I had no choice.

With a deep breath, I sat down and picked up the first report.

I had to keep going.

For Nora.

For her, I’d do whatever it took.