CHAPTER 6 A RPOMISE TO LOLA

 

The next morning arrived far too quickly.

I barely slept.

Every time I closed my eyes, I saw the black doors of the west wing.

And Mr. K standing in front of them.

Protecting whatever secret was hidden inside.

A knock sounded at my bedroom door.

"Ma'am, breakfast is ready."

I sat up and rubbed my tired eyes.

"Thank you."

After getting dressed, I followed the maid downstairs.

The dining room looked just as grand in daylight.

Sunlight streamed through the tall windows, reflecting off crystal chandeliers and polished marble floors.

Mr. K was already seated at the table.

As always, he looked perfectly composed.

A black suit.

A crisp white shirt.

Not a single strand of hair out of place.

"You look tired," he said.

I nearly choked on my coffee.

"Good morning to you too."

His lips twitched.

The expression vanished almost immediately.

"We're leaving in twenty minutes."

"For the hospital?"

"Yes."

My heart soared instatly

Lola.

I couldn't wait to see her.

---

The drive to St. Gabriel Hospital was silent.

I sat beside Mr. K in the backseat.

The city rushed past the windows.

For once, I wasn't paying attention to the luxury car.

I was too excited.

Too nervous.

What if Lola was worse?

What if she blamed herself for everything?

What if she found out about the contract?

My stomach twisted.

The car finally stopped.

Before I could open the door, Mr. K spoke.

"Maya."

I looked at him.

"Your grandmother doesn't need to know everything."

I knew exactly what he meant.

"I won't tell her."

He nodded once.

"Good."

---

The hospital felt different today.

Yesterday, every hallway had seemed cold and frightening. Every step reminded me of bills I couldn't pay and promises I wasn't sure I could keep.

Today was different.

For the first time in weeks, I wasn't walking through these halls feeling completely helpless.

Nurses moved from room to room carrying charts and medicine. Families sat together in waiting areas. Somewhere nearby, a baby cried before being comforted by its mother.

Life continued around me.

And somehow, that gave me hope.

I glanced at Mr. K as we walked.

He remained silent, his expression unreadable as always.

Yet every nurse and doctor we passed greeted him respectfully.

Some even nodded nervously.

It was obvious they knew exactly who he was.

"Do you donate to this hospital?" I asked.

His eyes shifted toward me.

"Why?"

I shrugged.

"People seem afraid of you."

"They're not afraid."

"Really?"

He raised an eyebrow.

"Maybe a little."

I couldn't help smiling.

"At least you're honest."

To my surprise, the corner of his mouth twitched.

"Don't get used to it."

My smile widened.

For a brief moment, he didn't seem like the cold billionaire who had changed my life overnight.

He seemed almost normal.

Almost.

Then his phone rang.

He glanced at the screen.

Instantly, the warmth disappeared from his face.

The change was so sudden that it caught my attention.

"Is everything okay?" I asked.

He slipped the phone back into his pocket.

"Yes."

But I knew he was lying.

Something had happened.

Something important.

Before I could ask another question, we stopped outside Room 204.

My heart immediately began to race.

Lola.

I practically ran through the hospital entrance.

The nurses greeted me with warm smiles.

Unlike before.

This time, nobody asked about unpaid bills.

Nobody looked at me with pity.

The surgery had been approved.

The treatment had continued.

Because of him.

Room 204.

I pushed the door open.

"Lola?"

The elderly woman lying in the bed slowly opened her eyes.

For a second, confusion crossed her face.

Then she smiled.

"Maya."

Tears immediately filled my eyes.

I rushed forward and carefully hugged her.

"I missed you."

"I only saw you yesterday."

"I still missed you."

She laughed softly.

The sound nearly broke my heart.

For the first time in weeks, she looked stronger.

Healthier.

Hope returned to her face.

Then her gaze shifted past me.

Toward the doorway.

Mr. K stood there.

Silent.

Watching.

Lola's eyes widened.

My stomach dropped 

I froze.

Uh-oh.

She noticed him.

Very quickly.

And even worse—

She noticed the ring on my finger.

Her eyes moved between us.

Then a knowing smile appeared.

A very dangerous smile.

"Maya."

"No."

"Is this your boyfriend?"

I nearly died.

"What? No!"

Lola laughed.

Mr. K remained completely expressionless.

Which somehow made everything worse.

"He doesn't look like a boyfriend," Lola said thoughtfully.

"Thank you," I muttered.

"He looks like a husband."

I wanted the floor to swallow me whole

"LOLA

For the first time—

I heard a sound beside me.

A laugh.

A real laugh.

I turned.

Mr. K had lowered his head slightly.

Amusement flickered in his dark eyes.

The sight shocked me more than anything.

Because for a moment—

He looked happy.

And somehow...

That frightened me more than his coldness ever had

End of Chapter 6