Julian awoke to the sight of his mother, Cilla, crying, her hand clasped tightly in his. "Mom," he croaked, his voice raspy.
"You're awake!" Cilla exclaimed, her tears streaming down her face. The doctor entered, and after a brief examination, Julian, still groggy, asked, "Mom, where's the girl… the girl who saved me?"
Cilla smiled faintly, a glimmer of hope in her eyes. "She's here." She called someone, and a moment later, a young woman entered the room.
"What's your name?" Julian asked, his gaze fixed on her.
"Isabella," she replied softly.
"Thank you, Isabella," he whispered, his gratitude overwhelming. He felt a wave of dizziness and fell back against the pillows.
"Doctor, is he going to be alright?" Cilla asked anxiously.
"Yes," the doctor reassured her. "For a car accident, his injuries are minor. He'll make a full recovery. You can take him home tomorrow."
Cilla thanked the doctor profusely. Turning to Isabella, she said, "Isabella, would you mind stepping outside with me for a moment?"
Isabella, surprised but agreeable, followed Cilla out of the room. Cilla, her voice trembling slightly, began, "I know what I'm about to say might seem strange, but… would you consider marrying my son?"
Isabella's eyes widened in shock. "I can't, Mrs. Moreau."
"Please," Cilla pleaded. "My son is a caring man, but he doesn't know love. I pushed him to be the man he is today, but I pushed him too hard. He only cares about the business and the family." She paused, her gaze intense. you are the only one who can help him?"
Isabella hesitated. how I can help him, Mrs. Moreau. I really don't think I can."
I can help him either Cilla admitted, "but something tells me you're the right person for him."
Isabella sighed, considering the situation. "I'm sorry, but I can't," she repeated.
"I will pay you," Cilla offered, a desperate plea in her voice. Isabella, a poor girl from a humble village, considered the offer. The money could change her life, could help her family.
"You know you can't buy love," Isabella said quietly, her voice firm.
"In time, you both will love each other," Cilla insisted.
Isabella, after a long pause, finally conceded. "Fine."
Cilla's face lit up. "Thank you, Isabella!" A black car arrived, sleek and luxurious. "Get in," Cilla said, "You should see the house that will be your home."
As they arrived at the Moreau estate, Isabella was speechless. She knew the Moreau family was wealthy, but nothing could have prepared her for the sheer magnificence of the house. It was enormous, a sprawling mansion surrounded by lush gardens, beautiful trees, and sparkling pools. She stood in awe, taking it all in.
"Welcome to the Moreau estate," Cilla said, a proud smile on her face. The enormity of the house and the implications of her decision settled upon Isabella. She had just agreed to marry a man she barely knew, for a sum of money, in a house that dwarfed her entire village. The weight of it all was heavy, but the faint hope that perhaps, just perhaps, something good could come from this unexpected turn of events, remained.