Chapter 2

Arabella

( A Month Later...)

"Will you marry my grandson?" Hallie asked as I adjusted the bed to her preference. Her words were playful but they had thrown me off. My eyes swiftly met hers in confusion.

Despite the playfulness that laced her words, her eyes held a glimmer of hope that made me reluctant to respond.

"Uh... only if he is good-looking," I said trying to mask my unease. I took a step back when a nurse walked into the room.

"Trust the genes, Bella. I mean, look at me, I'm seventy-six, but I could be mistaken for those sexy models, couldn't I?" Hallie asked, the corner of her eyes crinkling as she smiled at me.

I couldn't help but laugh. She wasn't lying. She was stunning, aged just like fine wine. Her agility at such an age was commendable. I envied her strength and the heck of a core she had. I'd seen her sit up for an hour and not slouch.

If I could look half as good and strong at her age, I'd consider myself blessed.

The nurse proceeded to check her vitals.

"Um, I'll get going now, Hallie," I said, picking up my purse and the breakfast bag I'd brought along.

"Alright, darling," She said warmly. "But think about my proposal, I meant it." She winked, and the nurse chuckled softly.

My cheeks flamed as I flashed her a smile and then walked out of the room. Hallie, ever since we met, has expressed her fondness for me, but this proposal to marry her grandson was... something I didn't see coming, given that I'd pacify her whenever she called him names by adding more references to the list.

The man in question, I'd never set my eyes on but for Hallie's sake, I was firmly against him. After all, what kind of grandson just ditched his family and left them longing for him?

I tried to give him the benefit of the doubt, wondering if maybe he had valid reasons. But still, how could anything excuse years of absence from someone like Hallie?

Whoever he was, he must be cruel.

Checking the time on my phone, I cursed under my breath. 9:07 a.m. Shit

I clutched the bag of breakfast in my hand tightly as I quickened my pace, I was late to bring breakfast to Ruth. She was probably starving by now.

When I neared the ward, I took in a deep breath, readying myself for her razor-sharp glare when I stepped in, but my steps slowed when two doctors walked out deep in conversation. One of them was Dr. Khalid, my mom's attending physician

Their conversation seemed meaningful but the tense expressions they had on their faces made me worried. They had just stepped out of my mother's ward. Was everything okay?

When the other doctor left, Khalid remained on the spot, looking stressed.

"Dr. Khalid," I called softly, walking closer.

He turned to me, startled, then quickly composed himself. "Good morning, Bella." His gaze shifted to the bag in my hand. "I see you're here with breakfast for your grandmother. Please go ahead but make sure to see me before you leave, okay?"

He didn't wait for my response before hurrying off.

A sense of dread crept up my spine. He looked tense and overly serious today. Something was wrong. I pushed the ward door open, expecting to see my grandmother in her usual spot on the couch but there was a change for the first time in months.

She was seated by the hospital bed on which my mother lay, unconscious with numerous wires tethered to her body. The sight broke me every time I came around, but today, the dread I felt stemmed from somewhere else.

"Ruth?" I called my grandmother – because she preferred that – as I walked to where she was. "What happened here, I just saw Dr. Khalid and he was stressed out"

"Well, good morning to you too, my sweet girl. I thought breakfast was out of the books for me today." She smiled up at me, but I noticed it didn't reach her eyes.

My gaze darted from her to my mother and my eyes narrowed as I wondered what could've happened.

"I'm sorry, I woke up late," Sprawled on my desk at work, and then when I got here, I stopped by Hallie's ward– was the whole story, but she didn't need to know. I wasn't ready to receive lectures about how I was ruining my health working overtime and how jealous she was about the new old lady I found.

I met Hallie about a week and some days ago in the hospital's cafeteria, and we bonded over doughnuts. But Ruth preferred the word "found" and has since then complained jealously when I spent a bit of time with Hallie.

She wanted to be the only old lady in my life, in defense of her tantrum. Childish, I know but it felt oddly endearing.

"While I don't believe that, I will let it slide because I'm starving. What did you get?" She asked as she plopped on the couch, watching as I brought out the two-course breakfast meal from the bag.

None of us spoke a word as we ate breakfast which was unusual. Ruth had a lot to say whenever I came around, but today, there was a mix of anger and tension on her face. I didn't ask why. I knew it had to do with my mom, and Dr. Khalid knew about it. I would ask him later.

"So how was work?" Ruth asked suddenly as she took her coffee to her lips.

"Great" I muttered, avoiding her stern eyes.

"I see. It's so great, you have dark circles under your eyes. Nice"

Shit. I'd dabbed concealer on that. Didn't it do its job? Maybe it was time to get rid of my cheap products.

"Dark circles under the eyes are in trend now" I responded and she stared pointedly at me making me squirm in my spot

"Bella, you're working overtime again, aren't you?" She set down her cup, firmly on the table.

We're not doing this today.

I stood up and grabbed my bag. The last time we had this discussion, we leaned a bit into the psychology of sleep. What would it be today, chemistry?

I kissed her cheek and then went to my mom, who was still unconscious and kissed her cheek as well before heading for the door.

"Bella, where are you going? We're still talking" Ruth called out, her voice laced with disbelief.

When I got to the door, I turned and smiled. "I'll catch you later, Gran. I need to run" With this, I walked out and closed the door.

If I didn't work as much, we'd be doomed. She knew that, but for some reason was mad at herself more than me whenever we spoke about it.

It wasn't her fault our lives turned out this way. It was no one's fault.

Sighing, I squared my shoulders as I walked across the hallway to Dr. Khalid's office. On my way, I hoped to spot Sky, my best friend who was a third-year resident, but I didn't. I'd called her twice earlier but she didn't respond. She might be busy even now.

When I got to Dr. Khalid's office, a dreadful feeling knotted my guts as I knocked. I heard his voice call me in. Walking in, I smiled when he raised his head from the file he was reading.

"Ms. Carver, please sit" He pointed to the chair across the desk

"Is there any problem, Dr. Khalid? You asked me to see you earlier," I asked, walking over and lowering myself in the chair. I leaned forward, staring anxiously at him

A crease formed on his forehead and he sighed heavily. "Your mother's condition has taken a turn and the current treatment is no longer enough. We need to operate immediately."

"B...But why?" I asked, my lips trembling with panic. "Didn't you say she'd be fine with the current treatment she's receiving?"

Dr. Khalid shook his head, his face etched with concern. "There have been complications, Ms. Carver. Without surgery, her chances are slim."

A sickening chill washed over me as his words sank in. I would lose my mother? We hadn't come this far just for me to lose her.

No way!

"Okay. Perform the surgery then." I sounded completely stupid, my ignorance had been misplaced. Even a toddler would know what was needed at this point. But heaven knows I wasn't ready for that part of the conversation.

Khalid saw through me and he hesitated before speaking up. "I wish it was that simple, Bella. But we can't proceed with a payment guarantee. It's standard procedure"

A beat passed before my lips moved. "How much is needed?"

"Surgery and postoperative care will cost five hundred... thousand dollars!" He revealed and my eyes widened.

"I'm sorry, what?" Blood drained from my face and my legs shook as I slowly got up from the chair. Dr. Khalid looked away, resigned, leaving me to process his words on my own.

The wheels in my head reeled, struggling to process his words.

Five hundred thousand dollars?

Where in the world was I supposed to get that kind of money?