Chapter 4 4

Izzy felt as if the heavens and earth had collapsed upon her as she walked out of Seth Santiago's condo building in defeat.

Lost in thought, with red eyes and a heavy heart, she desperately searched for another way.

"Just remember, Izzy-if you ever need financial help, whatever it is, as long as I can, don't hesitate to ask me."

Izzy let out a bitter smile as Carl's worried voice echoed in her mind-her best friend.

As much as she wanted to ask for his help, Izzy felt she no longer had the right. With everything he had already done for her and her mother, she was drowning in so much shame that she could barely face him.

She took a deep breath as she finally reached the street. Despite the smog, the pollution, and the chaos of Manila, she couldn't help but feel as if she could breathe more freely here than in the cold, fragrant air of Seth Santiago's luxurious condo.

"I still can't believe you did that, Isabel Vergara..."

She whispered sadly to herself.

Deep in thought, instead of hailing a cab back to the hospital, she chose to walk.

At least this way, she could think.

"You can't offer what you can't give, Isabel..."

Seth Santiago's words cut through her heart like a sharp blade.

He was right.

She herself couldn't even understand how she had stomached doing what he had asked her to do earlier.

Her mind raced relentlessly, just like the tears that wouldn't stop falling, as she painfully accepted the possibility that there might be no other way...

That maybe... this was the end for her beloved mother.

Sweat trickled down her face, and her legs felt numb by the time Izzy reached the hospital.

After all, she had walked quite a distance.

As soon as she stepped into the waiting area, confusion washed over her when her worried uncle immediately approached her.

"Isabel, where have you been? Why are you only arriving now?"

"I-I just had to take care of something for a bit... But, Uncle, why are you out here? Who's with Mom?"

She asked between deep breaths.

"That's exactly what I wanted to tell you-I've been waiting for you."

A deep fear settled in her chest even before she could hear the rest of his words.

"W-what? Did something happen?"

"I don't know what you did, Izzy... I don't even know how... but your mother is currently in the operating room. They just took her in."

"W-what? They're operating on Mom now?"

"Yes, that's what the doctor said. And... the entire hospital bill has already been paid."

"B-but... how? Who paid for it?"

Izzy's heart nearly jumped with joy at the news-her mother was going to be treated! But at the same time, she couldn't shake off the confusion and fear creeping in.

The amount required was no joke. The only person she could think of who could afford it was...

"That's exactly what I want to ask you. Even I was shocked when the doctor told me... What did you do? Where did you get such a huge amount of money?"

Her uncle asked worriedly, but Izzy simply shook her head.

"It doesn't matter anymore. I'm not even sure who paid, but I'll find out later. For now, let's just pray that Mom's operation goes well... and be grateful to whoever had the kind heart to help us."

She spoke seriously, trying to hide the anxiety and confusion in her heart.

"One and a half million... Seth Santiago? Impossible..."

She murmured to herself in disbelief.

The events at Seth's house earlier were clear in her mind. In fact, nothing even happened... so it was impossible.

Izzy was deep in thought when her phone suddenly rang.

Her breath nearly caught in her throat as she read the text message.

Seth Santiago

"Whatever you have that I can't bring myself to let you go without giving you the help that you need?

Your mother's hospital bills have been cleared. I suggest you prepare, and when you are ready, I will ask for your payment.*

One night with me in exchange for one and a half million for your mother.

We will see each other soon after all, Isabel Vergara..."*

Izzy didn't know whether to reply or just ignore it. It felt rude not to respond, especially when she now owed him what felt like her and her mother's entire lives.

In the end, she chose to leave it unanswered.

"Lord, I'm happy that my mother will get better... but why does it feel so, so wrong that I turned to someone like Seth Santiago for help?

Why does it feel so wrong that I even met him?"*

"Did you do what I asked?"

Seth asked his assistant as he sensed the man's presence behind him.

He didn't even bother looking back, simply swirling the glass of whiskey in his hand.

"Yes, sir. It's done."

"I made myself clear, didn't I? Don't let anyone find out who paid their hospital bill."

He said without turning around.

"Yes, sir. Crystal clear. The patient's brother didn't find out anything. I just told the doctor to say that a charity Isabel Vergara reached out to covered the costs."

"Good... Did you see her there?"

"I didn't see anyone watching over the patient other than the brother, sir. But according to the man you had follow her, she didn't go anywhere else-she came straight from here to the hospital."

Seth's grip on the glass tightened as he smirked.

1.5 million...

He had just wasted a damn 1.5 million for a woman like Isabel Vergara.

A woman he had just met... who had come to offer him sex... the same woman he had kicked out minutes after asking her to masturbate in front of him.

Yes, he was rich. Yes, 1.5 million meant nothing to him. But it was still money-money that not everyone had access to, and he had just thrown it away... for the promise of one night in bed with Isabel Vergara.

He closed his eyes tightly, the image of her earlier flashing in his mind-standing naked before him, tears streaming down her face as she touched herself, sobbing quietly.

Seth felt his arousal stir at the mere memory of her.

Beautiful...

Tight...

Isabel Vergara... You sure are so f*cking beautiful, and I will do whatever it takes to feast on your body in my own bed...

And when I do... I will make damn sure that you will be mine...

He clenched his jaw and downed the rest of the bitter whiskey in his glass.

Days had passed since her mother's operation... and since that brief, unforgettable encounter with Seth Santiago.

She hadn't received any other messages from him since then.

Izzy didn't know if she should feel relieved... or even more afraid.

"Hey! You're so lost in thought."

Carl's voice pulled her back to reality. She shot him a glare.

"You don't have to shout!"

She said, covering her ears playfully.

"Oh, please, you're so dramatic! I've been talking to you for a while now, asking so many questions, but you haven't answered a single one."

"Because I have a huge problem!"

"What problem? Your mom's operation was successful. She's recovering well. Even the hospital bills are all paid. What's this huge problem of yours?"

Carl asked, puzzled.

"That's exactly it. My mom is better now, so I know she won't stop asking where the money came from. She interrogates like a detective and won't believe it came from charity unless I show her proof."

"Then get proof. Find evidence from that charity you mentioned."

"That's the problem... that charity doesn't exist."

Carl frowned.

"So where did you get the money? That's a huge amount, Izzy. Where did you get that much in one go?"

"It's... a long story. Don't ask... I don't plan on telling. It's... complicated. Too complicated."

She mumbled, avoiding his sharp gaze.

"Isabel Vergara... did you do something illegal?"