Chapter 7: Saving Grace

As Annette stepped out of the house, heading towards the car, Mr. McKenney had instructed the butler to prepare it for her. She settled into the comfortable seat, her mind still processing her recent actions. She knew it was morally questionable, but she felt she had no other choice. The weight of guilt would likely stay with her, yet the relief of having secured the money for Cassie's surgery was undeniable.

Just as she closed the car door, her phone chimed with a notification. Annette pulled it out and saw a credit alert of $50,000. Her eyes widened in astonishment, her heart a mix of emotions. Tears welled up as she realized Mr. McKenney wasn't joking; he had indeed fulfilled his promise to credit her account by the time she reached the car. Despite his questionable character, he had proven himself trustworthy.

As the driver left the mansion, a text arrived from an unknown number. Opening the message, she immediately recognized the sender.

Mr. McKenney: Greetings, my lovely Goldilocks.

Annette: Hello, sir.

Mr. McKenney: Have you seen the money I sent?

Annette: Yes, sir, I have. Thank you very much.

Mr. Anderson: That's just the beginning, my dear

Goldilocks. You'll experience much more than this, and I promise you that. I also hope your sister gets better soon.

Annette: Thank you, Sir. Your kindness is much appreciated.

Mr. McKenney: Goodnight, my dear Goldilocks.

Annette: Goodnight, sir.

Annette felt a pang of disappointment as she noticed he had gone offline. She had been relying on their conversation to distract herself from her sister's situation.

After a few seconds, she sighed and tucked her phone away, her mind wandering. "I really hope the surgery goes well," she whispered, lost in thought. "It's the only chance for everything to go back to normal for the little one."

At the hospital, Annette's footsteps quickened as she rushed through the entrance, urgency in her stride. "I'm here to pay for the surgery," she told the receptionist, her voice filled with determination. The receptionist efficiently processed the $10,000 payment, leaving Annette with a mixture of relief and apprehension, a stark realization of the financial commitment weighing on her.

After receiving the receipt from the receptionist and confirming that her sister's surgery was scheduled for the next day, she made her way directly to the intensive care unit. There, her sister lay motionless, connected to various machines. Annette's eyes filled with tears as she took a seat next to the bed, holding her sister's limp hand.

"I'm so sorry, sis," Annette's voice trembled with emotion. "I wish I could ease all the pain and stress you've endured."

Lost in her thoughts, Annette didn't notice when Jane entered the room and found her already seated by Cassie's side.

"Hey, I didn't know you were back," Jane's gentle voice broke the silence as she took a seat beside Annette.

"I just got back from his place," Annette replied, recalling her meeting with Mr. McKenney.

Curious, Jane turned to Annette and inquired,

"How did it go?"

"Well, I signed the contract, and now I'm officially working with him," Annette said with a hint of jest, which caused a slight frown to appear on Jane's face.

"Annette, you're not a 'whore.' Don't label yourself like that," Jane's response was filled with compassion and support.

Annette's voice quivered, "But I'm practically selling my body for money, making me no different from a whore."

"Come here," Jane said, wrapping Annette in a hug. Tears flowed freely as they clung to each other. "It's okay, everything will be alright," Jane whispered, her hands soothing Annette's back.

After a few minutes, Annette pulled away, Jane's concerned expression mirroring her worry. "He wants me to go with him to Greece in two weeks, but I told him Cassie wouldn't be okay by then. He didn't listen, so I have no choice since I've already signed the contract."

"I can take care of her while you're gone, but promise me you'll come back intact."

Annette questioned, "What do you mean?"

"Don't fall for this man, Annette. He'll only break your heart."

Annette sighed, frustrated in her voice, "Don't you think I already know that? I'm not blind. Mr. McKenney would never go for someone like me. He made it clear it was just sex and nothing more."

"I'm sorry if I sounded harsh. I'm just trying to look out for you. You're family, and I don't want to see you hurt."

"I know, Jane." Annette kissed Jane's cheek. "We'll get through this, you, me, and Cassie."

"Thank you, Jane."

"Anytime, you crazy ass," Jane's words brought a smile to Annette's lips.

"I've already paid for her surgery. All that's left is for it to go well tomorrow, and Cassie wakes up in good health."

"He paid upfront?" Jane's disbelief showed on her face.

"Yes, can you believe it?"

"Rich people are something else," Jane mumbled. She stood up, explaining, "I really wish I could be here for the surgery, but there's a very important meeting tomorrow I can't miss."

"It's okay, I understand. I'll keep you updated."

"Alright then, I have to go. If you need anything, just give me a call, and I'll be there."

"Take care of yourself, Jane."

"You too. She'll be okay. Our girl is a fighter," Jane said, placing a kiss on Cassie's forehead and hugging Annette before leaving the hospital to prepare for work the next day.

Annette remained by her sister's side throughout the night, occasionally dozing off in the uncomfortable hospital chair. As the morning sun cast its gentle rays through the window, the room seemed to take on a glimmer of hope. Nurses came and went, attending to her sister's needs, and Annette watched, a mixture of anxiety and anticipation swirling within her.

Hours turned into minutes as the time for the surgery drew near. Annette's heart raced with a mixture of fear and optimism. She held tightly onto her sister's hand, finding solace in the warmth that radiated from it.

As the medical team prepared for the surgery, Annette whispered words of encouragement to her sister, her voice a constant presence in the room.

Finally, the moment arrived. Annette was escorted out of the room as her sister was wheeled into the operating theater. She paced back and forth in the waiting area, her thoughts consumed by a myriad of emotions. The hours ticked by slowly, each minute feeling like an eternity.

Eventually, a weary-looking surgeon emerged from the operating room, clad in green scrubs. Annette's heart leaped into her throat as she rushed over to the doctor. The surgeon's eyes held a mix of exhaustion and relief as they met Annette's gaze. With a gentle smile, the doctor explained that the surgery had gone as well as could be hoped for. Annette's sister was stable and in recovery.

After the doctor left she immediately called Jane to tell her the surgery was a success and that all Cassie needed was rest to recover fully.

Relieved tears filled Annette's eyes as she hung up the phone with Jane. She let out a shaky sigh and turned her attention back to the hospital room window, watching the sunset cast warm hues across the sky. The weight that had been pressing on her chest since the accident seemed to finally lift, replaced by a deep sense of gratitude.

As the evening wore on, Annette remained by her sister's side, occasionally holding her hand or whispering words of encouragement. The rhythmic beeping of the monitors and the soft hum of the machines created a comforting backdrop to the room, a reminder that Cassie was in good hands.

One morning, as the sun's rays painted the room in a gentle glow, Cassie's eyes fluttered open. Annette's heart skipped a beat as she rushed to her sister's side. Cassie managed a weak smile, her voice barely above a whisper as she spoke her first words since the accident. "Hey, sis."

Tears of joy filled Annette's eyes as she took Cassie's hand in her own. "Welcome back, Cassie. You made us all so worried."

Cassie's smile grew a little wider. "I'm tough, you know."

Annette chuckled through her tears. "Yes, you are. And you're going to be just fine. We missed you so much"

"I Missed you too" Cassie said as she placed a kiss on her sister's cheek with a huge grin on her face.

Over the following weeks, Annette and Jane watched as Cassie gradually regained her strength. Physical therapy sessions became a regular part of their routine, but through it all, Cassie's determination never wavered.

But Annette's time with Cassie was gradually coming to an end because the time for her to go to Greece with Mr McKenney was close by and she didn't know how to explain to her sister that she had to leave her while she was still recovering.

As Annette busied herself with preparing dinner, a cascade of thoughts swirled through her mind about what might transpire between her and Mr. McKenney during their stay in Greece. Amidst chopping vegetables, she quietly pondered, "Hopefully she would understand." Her emotions were a blend of trepidation and anticipation — the fear of potential heartbreak contrasting with the excitement of experiencing love from a man like him. As she continued stirring the pot, she couldn't help but wonder aloud, "I just hope I make it through our time together unscathed."