As Alexander and Grandma finished eating, they chatted about other things. Rather, grandma chatted to him, filling him up with every eligible female socialite from a suitable and prestigious background who he might be interested in.
"You know Alexander, at your age, your father was already married and had you. Your mother was also pregnant before that woman came and scattered your home," Grandma started, gazing at the fishes swimming around in the pond.
Alexander's back stiffened at the memories Grandma was trying to open. He closed his eyes, inhaled deeply, and opened it again.
"But that's in the past now. Let's not bring it up," Grandma continued, oblivious to the emotions Alexander was trying to suppress. "You should be married by now and have a child. I don't care if it's a son or daughter; I will be glad to carry my great-grandchild. You know how dangerous it is for you here in the Ross family without an heir. Your uncles are just being held down by your successes so far and they won't take for granted any opportunity to hurt you. Hmm?" Grandma lectured. She turned to Alexander this time.
"If you are still in confusion, I have a lovely lady that I will introduce to you if you don't mind. She's beautiful and intelligent, and her aura matches yours. I watched her grow, and she's perfect for you," Grandma tried to convince him.
He was about to give in when he remembered her. Isabel Anderson. His antidote. He smiled, and for a moment, Grandma was in a daze.
"Did you find someone already? Quick, tell Grandma. Grandma will support you in any of your choices."
"Yes, Grandma," Alexander replied.
"What's her name and which family is she from?" Grandma asked, feeling anxious about meeting her future granddaughter-in-law.
"I will introduce her to you in the future. Don't worry, Grandma." Alexander said, sensing the anxiousness of his grandma, he had to calm her down. He's yet to win Isabel's heart, so the introduction has to wait first. He thought as he also stared at the fishes in the pond.
After much persuasion, Grandma Ross agreed to wait until Alexander brought home the lady. With nothing much to talk about, both chatted about random things until Alexander's phone rang. He stood up, and Grandma followed suit.
"I need to go now, grandma. I have some things to take care of at the company," He said softly as he walked out with Grandma by his side.
"Why? I thought you would pass the night here. The servants have already arranged your room. You don't have to be too formal here. Here is also your home " Grandma started. Alexander, who had sensed that she was about to lose her cool, coaxed her. Grandma calmed down and saw him off.
…
At the hospital
It's been three days since the doctor informed Isabel of the amount she was to pay for her mother's heart transplant surgery. Having worried herself and not meeting up, Isabel made up her mind to stomach anything that might happen to her mother. She spent the last few hours beside her, telling her how much she loved her and all until the doctor sent for her.
She walked into the doctor's office feeling anxious. She already knew what the doctor wanted to say, yet she still felt afraid of hearing it. She took in a deep breath and knocked at the office door before walking in.
"Miss, we have some good news for you," the doctor began after ushering her to a seat. Isabel's heartbeat seized for a moment. Good news. What could be good about the news of her mother's deteriorating health? She raised her brows.
"Someone has paid for your mother's surgery in full. So we can begin with the surgery," the doctor announced.
Isabel was stunned as she tried to process what the doctor said. Is this what he called "good news"? This is the best news she has heard so far since her mother was diagnosed. But who could have possibly paid the bills? She didn't have any family who could have done it. Her uncle? She shook her head lightly, it couldn't be him. The only person she could think of was Lia. Could she have changed her mind?
She was still reeling from the good news when the doctor tapped her, she managed to mutter a thank you before leaving. Once she left the office, she jumped up with excitement and ran to the cardiac intensive care unit and saw the nurses preparing her mother for the surgery.
"Mom," Isabel muttered as tears welled up her eyes. She stood at her mother's bedside, trying to hold back the tears, but they came spilling over. She hugged her mom, and after what seemed like an eternity, they disconnected as she squeezed her mother's hand gently.
She watched the nurses wheel her down the hall towards the operating room as she trailed behind them, her tears rushing down.
"I'm sorry but you can't go in there," one of the nurses stopped her at the entrance of the operating room. Isabel nodded and sat in the waiting area. She watched as the surgery indicator light turned on, indicating that the surgery had started.
The waiting area was as quiet as a graveyard when Ava rushed in.
"Isabel," she called. "How are you?" She asked and sat down crossing her hands around Isabel's shoulder. Isabel raised her head and her shoulders slumped in exhaustion. It felt like that's what she needed at the moment – a shoulder to lean on. Indeed, one cannot do this life alone.
"Here, I brought you something to eat," she said after a few minutes. She served out the food and fed Isabel who ate a bit and stopped eating.
Ava wanted to ask how she was able to raise the two million but decided against that. This is not the right time for it but she believed that it was because of that night.
Both sat there in silence, staring long at the operating room door. So many emotions whirling in their eyes. The surgery light continued to shine, reminding them of what was going on there.
Finally, Ava could no longer hold in her question, "Bel," she called softly, "how were you able to raise the two million? I hope you didn't do anything illegal," she asked carefully.
Isabel froze. How did she raise the money? If she told her friend that the doctor said an anonymous person paid, would she believe her? Won't that raise some dust? Won't she be curious about what happened that night? Her nightmares? She racked her brain for an answer. Suddenly, the surgery light went off after what seemed like an eternity, indicating the end of the surgery and interrupting their discussion.
Isabel and Ava stood up as a doctor emerged from the operating room. He approached them with an exhausted expression and before he could talk, Isabel beat him to that.
"How is she?" she asked, her voice trembling.
"It was a success," the doctor smiled. "She will be moved to the ward shortly where she can be monitored for a few hours. You can see her then."
Isabel let out a sigh of relief and Ava wrapped her arms around her, gently squeezing her shoulders.
A few minutes later, the operating room opened again, and a nurse emerged, pushing a stretcher. Isabel's mom lay there, her eyes closed. A thin blanket was pulled up to her chest and an IV was tapped to her arm.
Isabel rushed over to her mother's side and called softly, "Mom?"
"She's exhausted and currently needs rest. So you shouldn't disturb her," the nurse said. Isabel nodded and when she took a step forward, her phone rang. She stared at the ID and frowned. An unknown number. She stepped out and picked up.
"Hello," she spoke out a few seconds after not hearing someone's voice. She could only hear the sound of breathing from the other end of the line. She grew impatient and was about to end the call when the person spoke up.
"Hello, sweetheart," the voice from the other end called sweetly. "Long time no see," he said.
Immediately Isabel recognized the voice, the hairs on her neck stood erect and an alarm bell rang in her ears.