The cost of Loyalty.

Ethan didn't move. His father's words hung between them.

"Let's see how long your pride can pay your bills."

Richard walked past him and opened the door. "I'm done talking."

Ethan tightened his grip on his keys. "You really mean this."

Richard didn't answer.

...

The drive home felt longer than usual.

The city lights blurred past his window, but he barely noticed them.

His phone buzzed. Daisy.

A small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

At least one thing hadn't gone wrong tonight.

He answered through the car speakers.

"Hey babe" 

"Hi." Her voice sounded tired. "How was dinner?" 

Ethan let out a breath. "Let's just say it wasn't about business."

"What happened?"

"My parents tried to arrange a marriage."

Silence.

Then Daisy laughed. "You're kidding."

"I wish I was." I said no by the way and that I have my little princess which is you. 

"Good, that's my baby!" Daisy replied happily. "You don't owe anyone an apology for loving me."

Ethan smiled faintly."I know."

"Come see me soon." Daisy said, pouting her lips. 

"I will."

"I miss you." She said softly. 

"I miss you too."

The call ended.

For the first time that night, his shoulders relaxed.

Everything else could wait. As long as Daisy was okay...

That was enough.

...

The next morning.

Ethan walked into Anderson Group as if nothing had changed.

Employees greeted him. "Morning, Mr. Anderson."

"Good morning." He nodded back.

The receptionist looked surprised when she saw him. "Welcome back, sir."

"Thanks." He stepped into the elevator.

His phone buzzed.

An email. He ignored it.

The elevator doors opened onto the executive floor.

His access card touched the scanner. A red light flashed.

Access Denied. Ethan frowned and tried again.

Another red light.

A security guard walked over. "Good morning, sir."

"My card isn't working."

The guard checked the screen. His expression changed. "I'm... sorry."

"Sorry for what?"

"I've been instructed not to let you onto this floor."

Ethan stared at him. "There must be a mistake."

The guard shifted awkwardly. "I received the instruction this morning."

"My office is upstairs, so open the door." 

The guard said slowly. "I can't."

Ethan pulled out his phone.

He called his assistant, straight to voicemail.

He called the head of finance. No answer. Then his phone buzzed again.

Another email.

His company account had been deactivated.

He opened the next one.

His access to Anderson Group's internal systems had been revoked. His name had been removed from the Falcon Investment Project.

He laughed once. It sounded empty.

He slipped the phone back into his pocket.

"So he actually did it."

The guard looked away. "I'm sorry, Mr. Anderson."

Ethan turned without another word.

...

He stopped at a nearby café. He reached for his wallet. "I'll have a black coffee."

The cashier smiled. "That'll be twenty-three dirhams."

He handed over his  card.

Declined. He frowned."Try again."

The cashier did. Declined.

Embarrassed, Ethan pulled out another card. Declined.

Then another one again was declined.

The cashier offered an awkward smile. "It's okay."

Ethan reached into his pocket and found a few folded bills that was enough for the coffee.

He picked up the coffee and walked outside.

His phone rang again.

Daisy.

He answered immediately. "Hey babe"

She was sobbing.

His grip tightened around the paper cup. "Daisy?"

"I... I don't know what to do." She said in tears. 

"What happened?"

"I went back to the hospital."

His heart dropped.

"The doctor said... they found something."

"What did they find?"

"My mitral valve prolapse is getting worse." She struggled to breathe between words. "They said I can't keep delaying surgery."

Ethan's voice softened. "Hey, i'm here. Talk to me."

"They want to operate."

"When?"

"As soon as possible."

"We'll figure it out." Ethan let out a reassuring smile. 

She went quiet. "The insurance won't cover everything."

"How much?"

"I... I don't know yet."

He looked across the street without really seeing anything. "I'll take care of it."

She cried harder. "I don't want to lose you."

"You won't."

"I promise."

Even as he said the words, he had no idea how he was going to keep them.

...

Across the city, Bianca stood in front of the mirror.

She adjusted the sleeves of her cream blazer.

Then she stopped.

Ethan's voice slipped into her mind.

She's so fat. She's not even my type.

Her hands froze.

A knock came at the bedroom door.

"You ready?" Her mother stepped inside.

Bianca forced a smile. "Almost."

Elena walked over and gently fixed a strand of her daughter's hair.

"You look beautiful."

Bianca looked away. "I know what you're doing."

"What am I doing?"

"Trying to make me feel better."

Elena smiled sadly. "It's because I hate seeing you doubt yourself."

"I don't." Bianca picked up her handbag. "It doesn't matter what he thinks because I don't care." The lie came too quickly.

Elena didn't call her out, she simply kissed her forehead.

"Have a wonderful first day at the office." 

...

Ellington Group's headquarters buzzed with activity.

Employees hurried through the lobby.

Bianca greeted everyone with a smile. A few people congratulated her on graduating with first-class honors.

She thanked them, kept walking with utmost confidence. Nobody could tell how exhausted she felt.

...

That evening.

Daniel, Bianca's boyfriend was already waiting outside her office.

He held up two takeaway coffees. "I figured your first day deserved a celebration."

She smiled."You always know when coffee is needed."

"I know you."

They walked toward the parking lot. "You've been quiet. What happened?" Daniel asked. 

Bianca told Daniel everything that happened that day, she has been keeping it and that made her chest hurt. 

Daniel stopped walking. "What he said..." His jaw tightened. "...was disgusting."

Bianca stared at the coffee in her hands. "I keep telling myself it shouldn't matter." 

Daniel reached for her free hand. "Listen to me."

She looked up.

"You never have to prove your worth to anyone." A small smile appeared. "Especially not someone like Ethan Anderson."

Her phone buzzed.

She ignored it.

Daniel squeezed her hand gently.

"You're perfect and beautiful just the way you are." He added, "I love you so much and that's what should matter." 

Daniel leaned in and kissed her. 

...

Miles away, Ethan sat alone in his apartment.

His laptop chimed.

A new message. 

Sender: Boston Heart Institute.

He opened it. His eyes scanned the page.

Estimated Surgical Cost.

He kept reading. The number at the bottom made his stomach drop.

It was more money than he had left, he leaned back slowly and  covered his face with one hand.

"There has to be another way."