Elena's POV
"I need time to think," I finally said.
Alexander nodded, as if he had expected that response. "You have twenty-four hours."
I blinked. "That's not enough…"
"That's more than enough," he interrupted, standing from his chair. He towered over me, his presence overwhelming. "If you're serious about helping your mother, you'll make your decision quickly."
Arrogant man.
But he was right about one thing: this wasn't just about me.
I stood up from the chair, gripping the file tightly as I made my way out. Victor was waiting by the elevator, his expression unreadable as he led me back down.
As the doors closed behind me, I realized my entire life was about to change.
And I had twenty-four hours to decide if I was willing to go through with it or not.
I held my phone in my hand, staring at Sophie's name on the screen. I wanted to call her and tell her everything. How I ended up in a business deal with a man like Alexander Sterling. A handsome jerk, the same one who got me fired.
But what could she do? Worry? Tell me not to do it. I already knew what she would say. "There has to be another way." Except there wasn't, or was there?
I sighed and locked my phone, pushing the thought away. If I told Sophie, she'd stress over it, and she had enough going on already. No, I'd carry this alone.
With a deep breath, I took a cab and decided to go about my normal day.
I was halfway to the cleaning agency when my phone rang. I glanced at the screen. Ryan.
"Ryan?" I answered quickly.
His voice was frantic. "Elena! It's Mom. She collapsed again. We're at the hospital; please hurry!"
My breath caught.
"I'm on my way."
I didn't even think. I stopped the first cab I saw. My heart pounded the entire ride to the hospital, my mind racing through all the worst possibilities.
Not again. Not now.
The moment I rushed through the hospital doors, I spotted Ryan standing outside a room, his small shoulders shaking as he wiped at his eyes.
"Ryan!" I ran to him, pulling him into my arms.
"They won't treat her, Lena," he sobbed against my shoulder. "They said we need to pay first…again."
I looked up, past my mother's motionless body. They just left her like that. Tears dropped from my eyes. I can't take this.
Doctor Owens approached me, his expression a mix of understanding and sadness. "Elena, your mom is in need of surgery; you need to make payment so we can begin.".
"I ... Please save her, Doctor." I was short of words. I could barely speak clearly. If I said another thing, tears would burst from my eyes.
"I have sedated her for now, but that's all I can do. I'm sorry, Elena, he said, walking away. I wanted to blame him, but I couldn't.
I turned to Ryan, my heart shattering at the fear in his eyes.
I had no choice.
Fifteen minutes later, I stood outside Alexander Sterling's office, holding the file he gave me hours ago as I tried to steady myself.
The receptionist let me in without question, and as I stepped inside, Alexander looked up from his desk, his cold, unreadable eyes locking onto mine.
"I assume you've made your decision," he said smoothly, setting down his pen.
I swallowed hard. My pride, my hesitation, everything that made me want to say no, it all burned away in the face of my mother's life.
"I'll do it," I whispered. "I'll sign the contract."
For the first time, a hint of satisfaction appeared on his face. I hated that I was giving in to him, but I had no choice. I couldn't allow my mom to die.
I dropped the file on the table. I picked up the pen but didn't sign immediately.
"I have one condition," I said, meeting his gaze.
His brow lifted. "And what would that be?"
"My mother will be transferred to a better hospital now. Not tomorrow, not later, now. She starts treatment immediately."
Alexander leaned back in his chair, watching me carefully. Then, after a moment, he nodded. "Done."
I was filled with relief, but it didn't last. Because as soon as I signed this, my life would no longer be my own.
I took a deep breath, pressed the pen to the paper, and wrote:
Elena Carter.
Alexander took the contract, glanced at it, signed his name too, and then pulled out his phone.
"Victor, arrange for Elena Carter's mother to be transferred to Sterling Hospital immediately. I want her in the VIP ward and under the best care possible."
"Yes, sir," Victor responded without hesitation.
Alexander hung up and looked at me. "It's done. She'll be there within the hour."
Tears burned my eyes, but I forced them back. I can't show weakness in his front.
The deal was sealed. My mother would live, but at what cost?