The Billionaire's Betrayal

Bella's POV

"Miss Bella?" The doctor's calm voice came through the phone. "Could you come to my office? It's urgent."

A sudden uneasiness settled in my chest.

"Yes, of course."

The call ended before I could ask anything else.

I lowered the medical reports spread across my lap. Every result, prescription, and doctor's note had become painfully familiar, yet none of them changed the reality I was facing.

I slipped my phone into my purse and reached for Aina's small hand. She looked up at me with a gentle smile while Nurse Lina adjusted the medication flowing through her IV.

"I need to speak with the doctor for a few minutes," I said softly, brushing a few strands of hair from her face. "Will you stay here with Nurse Lina until I come back?"

She nodded.

"I'll wait for you, Mom."

"I'll be right back."

I kissed her forehead before leaving the room.

The corridor felt unusually quiet as I made my way to the doctor's office. He was already waiting for me, Aina's medical file open on his desk.

I took the seat across from him.

"I've reviewed her latest scans," he said gently. "I need to be honest with you."

"The cancer is now at an advanced stage."

I stared at him, unable to process what I had just heard.

He slid the medical report across the desk.

"Treatment needs to begin immediately if we want any chance of saving her. It's aggressive, and every day we delay makes things more difficult."

My hands trembled as I picked up the report.

"She's only five years old," I whispered. "How did this happen?"

"I'm afraid we don't always know why this type of cancer develops. There are treatment options, but they'll be intensive and expensive."

"How much?"

"The estimate is toward the back."

I turned to the final pages, and my breath caught.

The cost was far beyond anything I could afford. I had already spent nearly everything I had on consultations, tests, and medication.

I had searched for another solution, but now I had to admit that I couldn't save my daughter alone.

The doctor tapped the file once before speaking carefully. "Her father's information is listed in her records. For treatment like this, having both parents involved can make things easier, especially with important medical decisions. Can you contact him?"

My voice failed me.

"I'll speak to him."

"The sooner you make arrangements, the better. We shouldn't lose any more time."

"I understand."

I folded the report and placed it in my purse before standing.

"Could you ask one of the nurses to stay with Aina until I return? I need to step out for a while, but I don't want her to be alone."

"Of course. We'll make sure she's looked after."

"Thank you."

I left before the tears in my eyes could fall.

Outside, the afternoon air brushed against my face as people moved around the hospital, unaware that my entire world had just shifted.

I walked to my car and drove toward the one place I had promised myself I would never return to.

Blackridge Holdings.

Years ago, I had walked through those doors every morning without a second thought. Today, I sat in the parking lot, gathering the courage to go inside.

If there had been any other way to save Aina, I would never have returned.

I finally entered the building.

The lobby looked exactly as I remembered it. Employees moved between the reception desk and elevators, while afternoon light reflected off the marble floors.

Everything was familiar, yet I felt like a stranger.

A few employees recognized me and offered polite greetings. Their brief hesitation told me they remembered more than I wished they did.

At the reception desk, the receptionist looked up.

"Miss Bella. Are you here to see Mr. Adrian?"

"Yes."

She checked her computer.

"Mr. Adrian isn't in his office."

"Where is he?"

"He's in the cafeteria. Miss Alina returned from her trip this morning, so they're discussing work."

My fingers tightened around my purse.

Alina.

Of all the names I could have heard today, hers was the one I least wanted to hear.

"Thank you," I said quietly before turning toward the corridor.

The framed awards still lined the walls, and the familiar scent of coffee drifted through the corridor.

Nothing had changed.

But I had.

As I approached the half-open entrance, I heard Adrian's voice.

"...she never read the entire agreement."

Alina laughed softly. "Seriously?"

"She was in a hurry. She only looked through part of it."

"So she still doesn't know?"

"No."

I slowed my steps, suddenly careful not to make a sound.

"And what happens when the time comes?"

My stomach twisted at the question.

"Everything will happen exactly as it was written."

I had no idea what they were discussing, but I knew I didn't like the sound of it.

I took a breath and stepped inside.

Adrian and Alina turned toward me. Their conversation stopped immediately, and their faces briefly drained of color as they exchanged a startled glance.

"Adrian."

I walked toward them and placed the medical report beside their untouched coffee.

"You need to read this."

The ease between them vanished.

Adrian picked up the report.

"Aina's condition has worsened," I said, forcing the words out. "The doctor says the cancer has reached an advanced stage."

His eyes moved across the pages. His expression barely changed, but I noticed the slight pause before he closed the report.

"What does the doctor recommend?"

"She needs treatment immediately. The cost is more than I can manage."

Neither of us spoke.

Alina glanced between us before stepping away.

"I'll leave you two to talk."

She left without waiting for a response. I looked directly at Adrian.

"Please."

He rested one hand against the counter.

"You know what we agreed on."

A weight settled in my chest.

"This isn't about our marriage anymore. It's about Aina. She's your daugh—"

"I know." He looked away, his voice flat.

"Then how can those terms matter more than your own daughter?"

"You know that's not what this is about."

It felt like the ground shifted beneath me. I'd prepared myself for him to refuse, but hearing it still hurt.

"I came here because I thought maybe..." I swallowed hard. "Maybe you'd care."

I forced myself to keep going.

"I've accepted everything that agreement has cost me. I never asked you for anything. But I won't let our daughter pay for it."

His brows pulled together for the briefest moment.

"If something happens to Aina because you refused to help her..." My fingers curled tightly at my sides. "I'll never be able to forgive you."

I held his gaze one last time before picking up the medical report.

Without another word, I turned and walked out of the cafeteria.