Ethan Black stepped into the VIP suite at the hospital, relieved to see his grandfather, Henry Black, sitting up in bed, looking more annoyed than ill. The suite was luxurious, with plush furniture and a stunning view of the city.
"Ah, Ethan, finally," Henry said, his voice gruff. "I was starting to think you'd forgotten about me."
Ethan smiled, shaking his head. "Of course not, Grandfather. I was in a meeting when I heard. How are you feeling?"
Henry waved his hand dismissively. "I'm fine, fine. Just a minor heart attack. The doctors say I'll be back to my old self in no time."
Ethan's eyes narrowed, concerned. "A minor heart attack? You're not exactly young, Grandfather. You need to take care of yourself."
Henry snorted. "I've taken care of myself just fine for seventy-five years, Ethan. I don't need you lecturing me now."
Ethan approached the bed, his expression a mix of concern and respect.
Henry looked at him seriously. "Ethan, I'm getting old. I won't be around forever. I want to see you settled down before I go."
Ethan raised an eyebrow. "Settled down? What do you mean?"
Henry's eyes twinkled. "You know exactly what I mean, boy... I mean married, Ethan. I want to see you with a good woman, someone who will give me grandchildren. I want to hold them in my arms before I die."
Ethan shifted uncomfortably in his seat. He hadn't expected this conversation again, and so soon. "Grandfather, I'm not sure I'm ready for marriage. I'm focused on my career right now."
Henry's expression turned stern. "Career, career, career. That's all you ever think about, Ethan. But what's the point of it all if you don't have someone to share it with? Someone to leave it to?"
Ethan sighed, knowing his grandfather wouldn't let up. "Fine, I'll think about it."
Henry's face broke into a smile. "That's all I can ask for, Ethan. Now, I have someone in mind for you. Someone who would make a perfect wife…"
Ethan's eyes widened in alarm. "Grandfather, no. Don't even think about it."
But Henry just chuckled, a sly glint in his eye. "Oh, Ethan, as long as you bring me a woman of your choice, then I won't bother you anymore."
***
Meanwhile, Bella rushed to the café, hoping to find solace in the familiar surroundings. She spotted her boss, Mr. Kings, wiping down the counter and approached him, her eyes brimming with tears.
"Mr. Kings, please... I need to ask for a loan," she said, her voice trembling.
Mr. Kings looked up, concern etched on his face. "Bella, what's wrong?"
Bella took a deep breath and explained the situation, begging him to help. Mr. Kings listened intently, his expression sympathetic.
"I wish I could help, Bella, but I'm barely scraping by myself. I can offer you a small advance on your wages, but it won't be enough for the treatment."
Bella felt a pang of disappointment, but she knew she couldn't give up yet.
"Please, Mr. Kings... anything you can spare. I'll work extra shifts, do anything to pay you back."
Mr. Kings nodded, his eyes softening. "I can give you $50,000. It's all I can afford."
Bella's heart sank, knowing it was far from enough, but she took the money gratefully. "Thank you, Mr. Kings. I promise I'll pay you back."
She rushed to the hospital, clutching the $50,000 in her hand. She arrived at the reception desk, out of breath, and handed the money to the nurse.
"I'm so sorry it's late, but this is all I can afford for now. I promise to pay back the rest," Bella said, tears streaming down her face. "I begged everyone I could for money, but it's what I could come up with."
The nurse's expression was sympathetic. "I'm afraid not, Bella. The treatment costs $150,000. This is just a fraction of what's needed."
Bella felt like she'd been punched in the gut. She had been so hopeful, thinking that somehow, someway, she'd find a way to save her brother.
***
In the VIP room, after receiving a call from his office, Ethan said goodbye to his grandfather. He walked to the elevator and pressed the down button.
Ethan stepped out of the elevator, lost in thought as he replayed his grandfather's words in his head. As he turned a corner, he saw her—the same woman he had met earlier, the one who had bumped into him.
This time, she was standing by the nurse's station, her eyes red from crying. Ethan's instincts told him to approach her, to see if she was okay.
As he got closer, he heard her talking to the nurse, her voice shaking. "Please, you have to help me. My brother's life depends on it."
Ethan's heart went out to her. He remembered their earlier encounter and wondered what was wrong. He slowed down, not wanting to intrude, but his eyes remained fixed on her.
The woman sensed his presence and turned around. Their eyes met, and Ethan felt a jolt of recognition. She looked just as surprised to see him again.
For a moment, they just stared at each other, the tension between them palpable. Then, the woman's face crumpled, and she turned away, trying to compose herself.
Ethan didn't know what to do. Part of him wanted to approach her, to help her in any way he could. Another part of him wanted to turn around and walk away, to avoid getting entangled in her problems—and so he did. He walked out without another glance.
Bella's attention was on the nurse, and she collapsed to the floor, overcome with emotion. "Please, please, please... start the treatment. I'll pay, I'll pay, I'll do anything. Just save my brother."
The nurse knelt beside her, trying to comfort her. "Bella, we can't start treatment without payment. It's hospital policy."
Bella grasped the nurse's arm, her eyes wild with desperation. "But he's going to die! Please, have a heart. Start the treatment, and I'll pay. I'll do extra shifts, I'll sell my things... just please, save him."
The nurse looked up at the doctor, who was standing nearby, and saw the faintest glimmer of hope in his eyes.
"Okay, Bella," Dr. Lee said finally. "We'll start the treatment. But you have to promise to pay us back, every penny."
Bella nodded frantically, tears streaming down her face. "I promise, I promise, I'll pay. Thank you, thank you, thank you."
The medical team quickly sprang into action, rushing to prepare the treatment. Bella watched, her heart still racing with fear, but a glimmer of hope rising in her chest. Maybe, just maybe, her brother would be okay.
The kind nurse told her to get some fresh air, assuring her that her brother was in good hands. Bella nodded and walked outside.
Bella sat on the bench outside the hospital, her body shaking with sobs. She felt like she'd hit rock bottom, like there was no way out of this nightmare. Her mind kept wandering—where would she get that amount of money? For now, her brother would be okay, but how would she pay it all back? She kept questioning herself.
Suddenly, she sensed a presence beside her. She looked up to see the cold man from earlier, standing before her.
"Bella, I can help you," he said, his voice low and even. "I can pay for your brother's treatment, but you have to agree to my terms."
"How do you know my name and about my brother?" she asked.
"I saw everything that happened."
Bella's eyes narrowed, wary. "What do you want?"
Ethan's gaze locked onto hers. "I want you to marry me."
Bella looked at the man, her face void of emotion, then her harsh, incredulous laughter followed. "You can't be serious."
Ethan's expression didn't change. "I'm completely serious. I need a wife, and you need my help. It's a mutually beneficial arrangement."
Bella's mind reeled. Marry a stranger? It was absurd. But then she thought of her brother, lying in the hospital bed, his life slipping away, and her family, who wished they had died with their parents.
"What's in it for you?" she asked, stalling for time.
Ethan's smile was thin, calculating. "Let's just say I need a wife to further my business interests. Plus, I want my grandfather off my back, and I'm willing to pay top dollar for it."
Bella felt a shiver run down her spine. This was a deal with the devil himself. But what choice did she have?