Chapter 3

Isabelle pov

[FLASH BACK]. Hope Hospital.

I sit inside the hospital room, looking at my mother, sleeping peacefully. The sound of the machine, beeping nonstop in my ear and it was driving me crazy.

I hate the sound. Still, I don’t want it to stop, because if it did, it meant my mother had left her body, which I wasn’t ready for, not now, not anytime soon.

I need to get that money, no matter what.

As I was staring at her, her eyes slowly opened, and she looked at me, smiling weakly.

“You’re still here?” She asks me and I nod, holding her hands in mine. “You know you shouldn’t be doing this all the time. You need to go out and live life and have more fun. You’re a grown-up lady, don’t spend all your time watching over me. Take care of yourself and I’ll do mine, myself.”

I shake my head in disagreement.

“No.” I took my stance, “I won’t leave you and I don’t care about having fun. You’re my fun and everything. I want to spend everything and every moment with you, forever.”

“You know there’s no forever for me anymore.” She sighed and I could feel my heart breaking as she said those words. “Life is short, why don’t you spend it wisely rather than wasting it with me, my time is almost up you know.”

A tear forms at the edge of my eyes but I can’t bring myself to cry. I hate when she says words like that.

“Don’t say that,” I rub her hair and she close her eyes slowly and opens it again.

“Do I lie?” She asks and I don’t respond. “You know what would make me more happy, is you marrying the one you truly love.”

“I don’t want to get married.” I frown, “I don’t think I’ll ever get married.”

My mother laughed slightly and started to cough.

“Easy,” I rubbed her chest and she stopped after several strain “Don’t strain yourself.” I pleaded.

“Silly girl.” She finally said, “You would one day and I’ll be very happy. I only hope I can be alive to see that day.”

“If that’s what would make you happy, I’ll do it.” I kiss her hand and she raises her hand slowly to rub my head.

*

I was out of my mother's room in no time. I walk down the hallway of the hospital corridor. I passed by several nurses and patients on wheelchairs, most of them were exercising alongside their drip stands.

I paid attention to none of them. I stopped at the doctor’s office. The one handling my mother’s case.

Room 103

I knock before pushing the door open and walking inside. The doctor sat behind a table, looking into a computer in front of him.

When he saw me through his recommended glasses perched on his nose, he straightened his back and looked at me fully.

“Isabelle.” He calls me and I walk up to him.

“I’m sorry, I’m disturbing you right now.” I scratch behind my head. “It’s about my mother.”

“Have your seat.” He pointed at a chair in front of me and I made my way to the seat. “What about her?”

“How’s her condition?” I ask, concerned. “Any progress?” I waited for his reply, but the doctor looked at his computer first before bringing his attention back to me.

“It’s worsening I'm afraid.” His voice sounded serious and I felt my heart skip a beat. “She has just 4 to 6 months more to live if she doesn’t get a liver transplant...”

“Aren’t I a match?” I place my hand on my chest and he shakes his head in reply.

“We’ve tested you and you aren’t.” He adjusts his glass, “However we can get one for your mother. All you need to do is to get the payment and the surgery will commence as soon as possible.”

A tear rolled down my eye and I cleaned it off quickly. I don’t have any money.

“What would happen if she doesn’t get a liver transplant by then?”

The doctor sighed.

“Her whole body would start shutting down slowly. Firstly, most of her organs would stop working and when that happens you know what happens next.” He looks at me and I just don’t know what to say or do. “She dies. The machine can only keep her for a day and after, it stops supporting her again.”

“Can the surgery commence while I search for the money?” I ask, and he shakes his head.

“No.”

“I’ll get the money,” I said, very sure.

*Flashback end*

But now, I’m not too very sure anymore. I had thought after I got married to Sebastian Black, I was going to get the promised pay from my stepmother, however, it was just a trick, and I stupidly fell for it.

“Now, you’re married to Sebastian Black, you’re supposed to be able to take care of yourself, or have you forgotten how rich your husband is?” She asks me and I look away. “Are you afraid to ask him so he doesn’t think you’re a gold digger?” She mocked me and I stood to my feet immediately.

“You promised…” I say, looking at her and at Dad who doesn’t even look at me or say anything else. He just sat there like a statue when I asked for my money.

“Promised?” Louis asked laughter in her voice. “That’s a huge accusation, I never did. What has gotten into you? If you have not more to do or say, please leave.” She pointed at the door and I stood there for a moment, thinking of what next to do.

Where else was I going to get the money from? I can't sit back and watch my mother's life just disintegrate like that.

I crouched outside my father's house, sitting at the edge of the pavement by the roadside. I buried my head inside my hand and started to cry profusely.

I’m so stupid! I cursed myself. I was vulnerable and I fell for the most easy trick. What next?

*

I crawled back to Mr. Black's mansion.

After clarifying my identity with the security man at the door post, he took me into the mansion. This mansion was quite far from the gate, it was like another track before we could get to the house.

The whole surrounding was covered with beautiful and trimmed grasses.

As I walked into the study room of Mr. Black, I saw him seated, facing the window and his back facing me.

“What do we have here?” he asked, “Mrs. Isabelle Black, what are you doing in my mansion? I thought we had no other business?”

Yes, I thought we didn’t as well but I have no other choice.

“I need your help.” I plead and his chair was rolled around by him, facing me this time.

He was wearing a white shirt, a book in his hand, and a pair of brown shorts.

“My help?” He scoffed, “What can that be?”

“I’ll do it.” I look down at my leg.

“Do what?” His voice came out cold and serious. “Look at me when you speak.”

I raised my eyes and it met with his.

“I’ll sign the contract.” I finally said and he laughed, dropping his book on a table beside him.

“How special do you think you are that I’ll keep a contract for you?”