Chapter 1

My mind went blank when I saw Ian Cabello's signature on the purchase record. I quickly ran into his study to demand an explanation but, when I was about to push the door open, I overheard the conversation inside.

"Signorino Ian, the bank just informed us that Miss Salvatore tried to withdraw money, but the bank stopped the transaction." The man speaking was Ian's right-hand man, and my hand froze at the door handle when I heard his words.

"Good." Ian sighed. "Lucy has always been sensitive because she lost her parents at a young age. Hopefully, the properties I purchased for her will give her a sense of security. It should be a token of Hailey's sincerity as well."

His right-hand man hesitated before replying, "I heard that Miss Salvatore's company has been facing some issues lately. Could this be a financial emergency?"

"It's all part of my plan." Ian interrupted him and said with indifference, "Lucy isn't ready for this. We should postpone the wedding and wait until Lucy can accept it."

My blood froze. Ian was the one responsible for the predicament I was in and his sole purpose was to postpone the wedding because he wanted to protect the feelings of another woman. My hand pressed against my chest as I could hardly breathe from the pain.

I was about to barge into the study to confront Ian when I received a message from the hospital. "Miss Salvatore, your sister is in dire straits. She has to have the operation right away! If you can't pay for the surgery, we're afraid…" A notice of critical illness was sent to me next.

My mind went blank instantly. I no longer cared about my dignity and anger. None of that was important right now as I barged into the study as tears streamed down my face. "Ian, I need a loan of three million. It's for an emergency…"

Ian looked at me in astonishment. "What's going on? Calm down, I'll get to it right away," he said as he took out his checkbook.

"Don't, Ian!" A coquettish voice stopped him. Lucy walked into the study and stared accusingly at me. "How can you take a loan from Ian, Hailey? Don Cabello hates it most when someone goes against the rules!" She grabbed Ian's hand. "You can't do this to Hailey. If Don Cabello finds out that Hailey cheated with that money, he won't agree to your marriage."

Ian sighed helplessly and put away the checkbook. "Lucy is right, Hailey. The Cabello family practices strict family rules, and she's only saying this for your own good. Hang in there for a while longer. I believe in you."

I was covered in sweat from panic, and I grabbed Ian, trying to tell him about my little sister's condition. However, Lucy called in the bodyguards to force me out of the study. "Don't make this difficult for Ian, Hailey." I could only watch as the doors shut in front of me. I tried to call for a taxi to the hospital, but saw Lucy's posting on social media instead.

It was pictures of expensive gifts she received with the caption:

[Even though I lost my father at a young age, he saved a boy who later became the greatest big brother a girl could have. My big brother's entire family treats me just like a princess. I'm the happiest girl in the world…]

My hand started shaking. Was this the sister Ian claimed to feel insecure? Were her insecurities so bad that she needed what little money I had to buy a house? While she was bragging about her presents, which were worth millions, my sister had lost a chance at life because of this woman.

I stumbled all the way to the hospital only to see my sister's cold body. The doctor shook his head. "You're too late. If you had only managed to pay the surgery fees thirty minutes earlier…" I fell limply to the ground, and my trembling hands reached out to caress my sister's pale face while tears silently fell from my eyes. I had lost my last remaining family member in this world.

It took me a long time before I snapped out of my daze to dial a number I had never called before. It was the number of the man I had unintentionally saved five years ago on a business trip. "You told me before that you would fulfill a wish of mine unconditionally. Does the promise still hold?"