"What else can I do to make sure my mom gets a liver transplant?"
This question tormented Jackson Reed as the date of his mother's surgery loomed nearer, and they still hadn't found a compatible donor.
Meanwhile, Jackson, a billionaire mogul, lived a life of unparalleled luxury. His penthouse apartment overlooked the glittering Manhattan skyline, and his days were filled with high-stakes business deals and exclusive social events. Yet, despite his vast wealth and influence, Jackson was haunted by a shadow that no amount of money could dispel: his mother Margaret's critical illness.
Margaret, once a vibrant and formidable woman who had been the cornerstone of his life, now lay frail and weak in a hospital bed, her vitality sapped by illness.
She desperately needed a liver transplant to survive. Jackson, usually so composed and in control, found himself in a state of relentless anxiety.
He had exhausted all options, consulting the best doctors and specialists money could buy, but to no avail. Each passing day felt like sand slipping through his fingers, bringing him closer to the unthinkable. His desperation was palpable, etched into the lines of his usually stoic face.
Despite all his resources, Jackson felt a profound and agonizing powerlessness, realizing that some things were beyond even his grasp.
Jackson was on a business call one fateful morning, his voice smooth and commanding as he negotiated a high-stakes deal. In his sleek office, surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows that showcased the city's skyline, Jackson epitomized power and control.
Suddenly, his assistant, Lilian, interrupted with urgency in her voice.
"Sir, we've found a potential donor. Her name is Amelia Bennett."
Jackson's heart raced. He ended the call abruptly, his usually steady hands now trembling slightly with anticipation
. "Set up a meeting," he said, barely able to contain his excitement.
"I need to speak with her personally."
Fate, however, had its own plans. Amelia sat in a crowded hospital waiting room. The sterile environment did nothing to ease her anxiety.
Her mind was burdened with worries about her own deteriorating condition and her daughter's uncertain future.
As she waited for her follow-up appointment, she overheard a conversation nearby.
Jackson, impeccably dressed in a tailored suit, was talking to a doctor about his mother's severe circumstances.
The urgency and despair in his voice resonated deeply with Amelia, striking a chord with her own fears.
An idea quickly formed in her mind, driven by sheer desperation.
Without realizing that she was the potential donor Jackson was looking for, she approached him.
Jackson's commanding presence and air of urgency mirrored her own desperation.
"Excuse me," Amelia said, her voice tentative but determined.
Her worn-out clothes and tired eyes contrasted sharply with Jackson's polished appearance.
"I couldn't help but overhear your conversation about your mother needing a liver transplant. I might have an idea, and it might sound ridiculous, but please hear me out."
Jackson turned to face her, his eyes widening with a mixture of hope and skepticism.
"What's your idea?" he asked, his voice a blend of curiosity and desperation.
Amelia took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves.
"I'm not sure if I'm a match, but if I am, I'm willing to help. In return, I need your help to secure my daughter's future."
Jackson's surprise turned to cautious interest. He admired the courage in this woman standing before him, her resolve shining through her weary demeanor.
"What exactly are you proposing?" he asked.
"A contract marriage," Amelia said, her voice trembling slightly.
"I'll donate part of my liver to your mother, and in exchange, you'll ensure my daughter is taken care of financially after I'm gone."
Jackson was taken aback. He admired her selflessness but was wary of the implications.
Jackson stared into Amelia's determined eyes, seeing the seriousness of her offer.
It was a lifeline he couldn't afford to ignore, especially with his own mother lying on a sickbed.
But as he looked at Amelia, he hesitated.
He had his own girlfriend, and Amelia, with her weary appearance and evident sickness, was far from his social circle.
He couldn't imagine nursing two sick people.
"I know you need help to survive, but that doesn't mean you should be desperate," Jackson said, trying to convey sympathy without commitment.
Amelia's eyes filled with a mix of resolve and desperation.
"I am desperate. If this is what it takes to secure my daughter's future, then so be it."
Jackson was speechless, taken aback by her selflessness.
Yet, he couldn't bring himself to accept her proposal.
"I can't accept your offer," he said quietly, feeling a pang of guilt.
"But I can help you in other ways.
" He handed her his business card.
"Come to my office tomorrow, and we'll see what we can do."
With that, he turned and got into his car, driving off, leaving Amelia standing there with a mix of hope and disappointment.
Tears rolled down Amelia's cheeks as she held the business card Jackson had given her, her mind swirling with a mix of emotions.
She had thought she found a glimmer of hope, a way to secure her daughter Ella's future, but now uncertainty clouded her thoughts.
She stared at the card, tracing the elegant script of Jackson's name, wondering what tomorrow would bring when she visited his office.
With tears still in her eyes, Amelia stumbled upon Jackson's full name printed on the card.
The realization hit her like a ton of bricks.
The man she had approached, offering a contract marriage in exchange for her daughter's security, was none other than the infamous and unapproachable billionaire Jackson, known for his ruthlessness and cold demeanor.
Fear gripped Amelia as she pondered Jackson's true identity.
Had she offended him with her proposal? Was he planning to lure her into his office to punish her for her audacity?
Questions swirled in her mind, but there was no one to provide answers. She felt paralyzed by uncertainty, her heart was heavy with regret and apprehension.
Unable to bear the weight of her doubts any longer, Amelia walked away from the hospital, clutching the business card tightly in her trembling hand.
The journey ahead seemed daunting, filled with unknown obstacles and challenges. But for the sake of her daughter's future, she knew she had to find the courage to face whatever lay ahead.