Chapter 2 The devil's proposal

Behind the billonaire's mask!

Chapter 2

Sophie's POV

As I arrived at the hospital, I saw Isabella waiting outside the emergency room.

"Sophie!" She exclaimed, tears in her eyes.

"How is she?" I asked, my voice shaking.

"They are stabilizing her, the doctor will come out soon."

I nodded, trying to stay calm.

Just then, the doctor emerged, looking expressionless.

"How is my mom?" I asked, tears threatening to fall.

"Are you her daughter?" He asked. I nodded in affirmation.

"Why didn't you bring her in all these days?" the doctor's tone was gentle, but laced with concern.

"I...I didn't know it was this serious," I stammered.

"Your mother has Stage IV Renal Cell Carcinoma, a type of kidney cancer. It's aggressive and requires immediate attention."

My world crumbled.

"Doctor, what is to be done?" Isabella asked, her voice cracking

"We need to perform a nephrectomy to remove the affected kidney. But it's complex and costly."

"Surgery?" I whispered. The doctor nodded.

I felt a lump form in my throat.

"How much?" I asked, dreading the answer.

"I still need to run some tests though, but approximately fifty million dollars, for now" he replied.

I gasped.

"That's...that's impossible," I stammered. "Where did I want to see it?"

"I will advise you to look for the money within three days, if you don't want to lose your mother." He said, and walked away.

I staggered, Isabella grasped my hand, offering support.

"What am I going to do? Where will I see the money?" Tears flowed freely as I stumbled towards the emergency room, desperate to see Mom.

Isabella tried to comfort me, but I shook her off.

"I need to see her," I sobbed.

Inside, Mom lay motionless, oxygen tubes in her nose, machines beeping around her.

My heart shattered.

"Mom..." I whispered, grasping her frail hand.

She didn't respond.

I collapsed beside her bed, tears streaming down my face.

How could this be happening?

The doctor's words echoed in my mind: "Fifty million dollars...three days..."

Impossible.

I stayed by Mom's side, holding her hand, praying for a miracle.

I know I have to look for a solution, I need to look for a way to raise the money. But how?

"Should we go and withdraw all the money I have?" Isabella asked, breaking my thoughts. 'How much can you raise? I think I have up to a million dollars, we will add yours and give it to the doctor to at least start something" She said, handling her ATM cardto me.

"A million dollars?" I whispered.

"It's all I have," Isabella said, tears welling up

I nodded, feeling grateful.

"I should have up to a million dollars also." I said, collecting her ATM card.

"Let me go and withdraw it," I said. "I'll be right back,"

"I'll stay with her," Isabella promised, tears in her eyes.

I rushed to the ATM, my hands shaking as I inserted the card.

The machine whirred, dispensing the cash. I withdraw all the money in my account also.

I gathered the money, and it was three million dollars. I rushed back to the hospital, clutching the three million dollars, hoping it will make a difference.

Isabella's eyes widened as I handed her the cash.

"Three million!" she exclaimed.

I nodded, hopefully.

"Let's go find the doctor," I said.

We asked a nurse for the doctor's whereabouts.

"Follow me," she replied, leading us to the doctor's office where there was a man sitting down.

"I brought three million dollars, doctor."

He glanced at the cash.

"Three million dollars?" he scoffed. "It's nothing. A drop in the ocean."

The man sitting gaze pierced me. Not saying anything. At that moment, I wished he would help me. But if wishes were horses, beggers would ride.

"And you expect us to save her with this paltry sum?" The doctor said, with a stern look.

I felt a surge of desperation.

"Please, sir. It's all we have." Isabella chipped in.

"I will advise you to better go and look for more money."

We left the doctor's office, defeated.

Outside, darkness had fallen.

"Isabella, I think you should go home now." I said.

"Are you sure?" She asked.

"Yes, I'll stay with Mom tonight, and go to my workplace tomorrow, to see if they can give me my salary."

"Ok, I will come and stay with her tomorrow while you go in search of money," Isabella said.

"Ok, thank you so much izzy," I replied.

Isabella nodded.

I watched her leave, feeling alone.

The hospital room seemed emptier than before. I sat beside mom, tears streaming down my face.

How could this be happening?

First, Losing my job, then Alex's betrayal, now Mom's illness.

Why was life so cruel?

I cursed Alex inwardly. Why did I ever love him?

My thoughts turned to Mom. "Please, God, don't take her away from me. She's all I have." I prayed.

I prayed through the night.

I have to find forty-seven million dollars. My eyes remained opened throughout the night.

****

Morning light streamed through the hospital windows.

Isabella arrived early, concern etched on her face.

I set out to go to my former workplace, around 8a.m while Isabella stayed with mom.

I met my manager outside on his way into the office. I explained my mother's condition to him and how i need money. My manager's expression was sympathetic but firm.

"Sorry, Sophie. I'm not authorized to release funds."

Defeated, I returned to the hospital, and rushed to the restroom, overwhelmed.

Tears flowed freely. I cried until exhaustion claimed me.

I entered Mom's hospital room, and saw a man sitting beside her bed, Isabella standing beside him.

I recognized the piercing gaze, he was the man with the doctor when we brought the money. I wasn't able to see him well back at the doctor's office. But now, I could swear, I drooled just at his sight.

He was perfect, with his chiseled features, piercing blue eyes, and brown hair styled impeccably. His sharp jawline and full lips curved into a subtle smile, radiating confidence and charm. His broad shoulders and tailored suit exuded power and sophistication. As he stood up, his tall stature commanded attention.

"Oh, you're Sophie, right?" he asked.

I felt a flutter in my chest as his smooth voice came through.

I nodded, because i don't want my voice to give me away.

"I shouldn't be doing this when my mom is lying here fighting for her life." I thought, waving off the unwanted attraction.

"I'm Julian," he said. "I've been waiting for you."

My mind reeled. What did he want? Why was he here?

"Do you want to save your mother?" He asked, looking into my eyes.

What type of question is this? Why wouldn't I want to?

"Yes." I said, almost in a whisper.

"I will pay for all your mother's hospital bills, and any debts you may have," Julian said, his gaze unwavering.

What did I just hear? Is my ears playing tricks on me? I looked towards Isabella and I see she was shocked as well.

"But there's one condition," Julian added, his voice measured.

My heart skipped a beat.

"What?" I asked, I was ready to do anything for Mom.

"You'll have to sign a contract." He said, handling me an envelope.

"What's in the contract?" I asked, my mind racing.

I opened it and found a paper inside, I removed it, my mind trembling. I gazed at the paper and froze before raising my head to look at him. I watched as he opened his mouth and say the words I was dreading.

"Be my personal plaything!"