Chapter 3 — The Last Decision

I slammed the car door and hurried inside, taking the stairs two at a time. By the time I reached my bedroom, I pushed the door shut behind me and tossed my purse onto the bed before resting my back against the door.

My chest rose and fell sharply, each breath catching between the tears still clinging to my lashes. I closed my eyes and took a moment to steady myself.

When I opened them, my gaze drifted across the room until it settled on the nightstand.

A sealed envelope sat there.

I pushed away from the door and crossed the room, picking up the envelope. Adrian's name stared back at me.

I slipped my thumb beneath the flap and pulled out the papers.

Divorce papers.

My fingers tightened around the pages as I flipped through them.

His signature was already there.

Adrian had asked me for a divorce on the same day I heard him and Alina talking about the clause. I needed to know what I had missed.

I pushed the papers aside and opened the drawer, pulling out the documents I had signed years ago.

The marriage agreement.

I spread the pages across the bed and began searching through every clause, my eyes moving faster as I turned each page.

Then I found it.

“The husband reserves the right to terminate the marriage at any time, and the wife agrees not to contest the divorce.”

I froze. My eyes stayed fixed on the sentence, but the words seemed to blur together. I pressed my fingertips against the page and read it again, slower this time.

My fingers began to tremble.

The papers slipped from my hands and scattered across the floor.

“Damn it.”

I sank onto the edge of the bed and dragged both hands through my hair, staring at them through blurred eyes.

I had been too lost in the pain of losing someone else to care about what I was signing. I had barely paid attention to the marriage, let alone questioned the papers placed in front of me.

My throat tightened.

I had signed away my right to contest the divorce without even knowing it.

There was nothing I could argue. The agreement had already given him the final say.

I gathered the papers with trembling hands and reached for the pen.

He had made up his mind. I was only a chain binding him to a marriage he had endured for our fathers’ sake. Knowing he still didn't want me, I couldn't force him to stay.

I lowered the pen toward the paper.

This signature could tear the last piece of my heart from my chest, but if it could give my daughter a chance, I would bleed onto every page to save her.

My fingers tightened around the pen, but the tip remained suspended above the page.

Before I could sign, my phone buzzed inside my purse.

I pulled it out. The hospital's name was on the screen. I answered immediately.

“Miss Bella?” The doctor's voice was urgent. “We need you here.”

My heart dropped. “What happened?”

There was a brief silence.

“It’s Aina. Her condition has suddenly worsened. We’re moving her to emergency.”

“Please, do whatever you need to do. I’m coming there.”

The call ended.

I looked down at the papers.

There was no time left.

My hand felt numb as I finally signed my name. I shoved the papers into my purse and hurried out.

By the time I reached the hospital, my legs ached from the rush, but I barely noticed. All I could think about was Aina. I hurried down the corridor, my heels striking sharply against the floor as I searched for her room.

I turned the corner too quickly and collided with someone. Strong hands caught my arms before I could fall.

“Watch—”

“Move,” I snapped, trying to steady myself.

The familiar voice made me look up, and I met Adrian’s eyes.

I stepped away and hurried toward the half-open door of Aina’s room, hoping I would reach her before they moved her. I pushed it wider as I reached it.

“Aina?”

The room was empty. The bed had been stripped, the sheets left in disarray, as though she'd been taken in a hurry.

My stomach dropped. I rushed back into the corridor, my eyes darting from one direction to another as I searched for someone, anyone, who could tell me which emergency room they had taken Aina to.

Adrian was still there, leaning against one of the pillars in the corridor. One arm was folded across his chest while his other hand pinched the bridge of his nose, his eyes closed.

The sound of my footsteps made him turn toward me.

“Which room is Aina in?” The words rushed out between uneven breaths.

He didn't answer immediately. His eyes stayed on me, a faint crease appearing between his brows.

“Adrian.” I stepped closer, my fingers curling into my palms. “Where did they take my daughter?”

He blinked, giving his head a slight shake as he seemed to pull himself back to the moment.

“There.” He gestured toward the corridor. “In that emergency room.”

I followed the direction of his hand, then turned back to him. My fingers fumbled with the clasp of my purse as I pulled out the divorce papers and held them toward him.

“I signed them.” I forced the words past the tightness in my throat. “You finally have the freedom you wanted from this marriage.”

Adrian took the papers without looking at them. Then he slipped a hand into his coat pocket and pulled out a thick envelope.

He held it out to me, but hesitated for a heartbeat when my fingers reached for it.

“Deal with it later. Right now, go to her.”

I looked down at the envelope, then back at him.

“Is this the exact amount I asked for?”

His gaze lingered on mine before shifting to the envelope. He gave a small nod.

“It’s enough for her.”

My fingers closed around it, and I turned away without saying another word.

I hurried toward the treatment room, slipping the envelope into my purse as I went. But a nurse stepped in front of the doors before I could reach them.

“You can't go in yet, Miss. They're treating her.”

I nodded, my eyes fixed on the closed doors as I slowly stepped back. With nowhere else to go, I sank into one of the chairs and waited.

I didn't notice myself drifting into a deep sleep while waiting outside until a familiar voice slowly pulled me awake.

“This is the last one you need to sign.”

I opened my eyes, my vision still hazy, and saw Adrian standing a few feet away. The receptionist stood beside him, holding out a sheet of paper and a pen while the doctor waited nearby.

Adrian took them, signed the paper, and handed everything back.

“Thank you, Mr. Blackridge. Everything is in order now.”

The receptionist took them, and Adrian gave her a slight nod before shaking the doctor's hand and walking down the corridor.

I followed him with my eyes until he disappeared around the corner. I kept staring in that direction for a moment before my gaze drifted toward the clock.

12:17 a.m.

My eyes widened slightly.

Had he really been here the entire time? For that long?

The doctor stepped closer, drawing my attention back to him. I pushed myself up so quickly that my legs nearly buckled beneath me.

“Doctor...” My voice was barely a whisper. “Is my daughter okay? Can I see her?”

A reassuring smile crossed his face.

“She’s responding well. We’ve sedated her, but she’s stable. You can see her for a little while.”

My shoulders sagged, and I let out a shaky breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding.

“Thank you for starting her treatment. And I’m sorry I had to leave to make some arrangements. I have the money now. I can pay for everything.”

He looked at me, confusion flickering across his face.

“But Mr. Blackridge has already paid for everything.”

I stared at him, my breath catching in my chest.

“We called you because we needed your signature on the consent form as her primary contact. We started her treatment under Mr. Blackridge’s authorization, but we’ll still need your signature when you’re able to give it.”

My brows drew together, and my fingers tightened around the strap of my purse.

“He... he already paid?”

“He paid all her expenses shortly after you left my office. Her treatment is already covered.”

My hand tightened around the strap of my purse until the leather pressed into my palm.

The envelope inside my purse suddenly felt heavier against my side.

Then what was in the envelope?