Chapter 1

Rosetta's POV

I don't know what to feel. After everything that happened to me, I feel numb. My dad's death, my boyfriend's betrayal, the huge debt my dad left behind, and the loss of my luxurious life. All of them are gone.

I was all alone, surviving the cruel world. I don't know what I did for God to punish me like this.

I've been a good daughter, a loyal girlfriend. But why? Why is this happening to me?

"You still have 3 months to settle your father's debt, Miss Morgan."

3 months? How can I possibly pay such a huge amount? Five million? Where will I get that? I've already sold everything I had. The company my dad left me is gone, and the mansion I lived in was already sold by my shameless stepmother.

"I couldn't pay that quickly, Mr. Hernandez. I already sold everything I had..."

"That's the only extension your father's creditor can give you, Miss Morgan. Pay on time if you don't want your life to be the price."

I was scared by what my dad's creditor's lawyer said. I'm afraid for my life.

"I... I will find another way to pay my father's debt."

Mr. Hernandez nodded at what I said. He stood up from his seat and said he had to leave because he had another client to meet. I was left staring into space.

I just buried my face in my hands out of the extreme frustration I was feeling.

Why is this happening to me? It feels like the world is ganging up on me.

I stood up and left the coffee shop. I hailed a taxi to take me to the cemetery where my dad is buried.

"Why are you so unfair, Dad?" I asked while looking at his tombstone. "You weren't even a good father to me. I only experienced suffering because of you. But why? Why am I the one taking on your mistakes? Why does it feel like I'm the one being punished?"

I looked up at the sky to stop myself from crying. I saw how the sky darkened, as if it was mourning with me.

"Ever since Mom died, Dad, I never felt your love for me again. You were always angry. I thought we would be okay, but we weren't. Ever since you brought that woman into our house, everything fell apart..." I took a deep breath because my voice completely broke. I started sobbing from the intense pain and sadness I felt. "I... I was supposed to be in Paris. I... I was chasing my dreams. But no. Because of the news that you were gone, everything was put on hold. I lost everything because of your debts, because of your mistress."

Yes, the moment my father died, I lost everything. My boyfriend, my circle of friends, and even my dreams were shattered. They all backed out after they found out about my family.

I felt the heavy rain fall on my body. I just let it because there was no point in running for cover since I was already soaked anyway.

Maybe the rain was just comforting me because it felt how broken I was.

I stood up from sitting at my dad's tombstone. I smiled bitterly.

"Maybe if I follow you and Mom, this pain I'm feeling will also go away."

I left my dad's tombstone and walked out of the cemetery, completely soaked. I couldn't bring myself to find shelter. I just let myself get wet from the rain because my tears were still falling.

I was in the middle of the road, walking slowly. It was as if I was counting the minutes before taking another step.

I flinched when I heard a loud car horn. I looked in that direction and smiled.

"Lord, are you taking me now?"

I remained standing, waiting for the car to hit me. But it didn't. It stopped in front of me, the nose of the car very close to my body.

The driver's side door opened, and a person got out. A handsome being, as if he were an angel.

He had a frown on his face as he looked at me from head to toe. He was also getting wet from the rain, but he didn't seem to care.

"Are you trying to kill yourself?" he asked in a cold voice. I felt every word pierce through my entire body.

"If you want to die, don't involve me. I still have a daughter to take care of."

"I... I—" something seemed to be stuck in my throat. I tried to move away from the road, but I couldn't. It was as if my body was glued to it.

"Get out of the way, Miss."

I shook my head. "I couldn't move my fe—"

I couldn't finish what I was saying when I suddenly collapsed to the ground. Before my eyelids completely closed, I saw him run toward me. He cursed a few more times before he finally carried me.

"Damn it! Your fever is so high. What kind of idiot gets soaked in the rain at a cemetery?"

I woke up in an unfamiliar place. All I could see was white—white curtains, walls, and even the ceiling was white. I think I'm in a hospital.

I looked in the direction where someone was groaning. It was the man who almost hit me—correction, the man I almost let hit me.

He was sitting on the couch with his legs crossed and his hands resting on his chest. His eyes were closed, as if he was very tired.

"Oh, you're awake."

I looked at the person who just arrived. He was wearing a doctor's lab coat. I smiled at him and nodded.

"By the way, I'm Doc Cleo..." he said while smiling. Once again, I just nodded my head.

I looked back at the man who brought me here, but I immediately looked away when I realized he was already awake. He was looking at me intently, his gaze cold.

"How is she, Cleo?" the man asked in a cold tone.

"She is fine now, Mr. Rivas," Doc Cleo answered.

So his surname was Rivas?

"Please leave us alone. This woman and I have something to talk about," Mr. Rivas said, emphasizing the words "this woman."

Doc Cleo didn't say anything else and left my room. I looked at Mr. Rivas again. His face was blank as he stared at me.

"T... T-thank you for bringing me here," I stammered.

"Tsk. If I hadn't brought you here, others might have said I hit and ran," he snapped.

"I'm sorry for what happened. It's just..." I took a deep breath and shook my head. "I just have a huge problem to be solved."

"And killing yourself would be a solution, is that what you mean?" he asked.

I shook my head again. "I didn't mean to. I had no choice."

He heaved a sigh. "You shouldn't do that, stupid. What if I really did hit you? I would be in trouble because of your foolishness."

I felt speechless at what he said. I looked down and played with my fingers. He was right that I was being stupid for doing that. But he couldn't blame me. I was so stressed with my problems.

"What if my daughter was with me?" he added.

Oh, so he has a child. He looks young, though. I thought he was still single.

"I... I'm sorry for doing that."

"How are you feeling now?" he asked, which made me stop. I looked up at him in surprise.

"Tsk. I'm just being nice here, lady."

"I'm feeling good. Thank you," I replied and looked down again.

"Do you have a place to live?" he asked.

I nodded. "Yes. Just a small apartment."

"Okay. Good that you have one."

I didn't answer again. Silence reigned between us. No one wanted to speak, so I just lay down on the bed.

For sure, this hospital stay is another expense. I don't have any money. I don't even have money to pay my dad's debt, and now I'm sick.

You're so stupid, Rosetta. Why did you get rained on? What do you think you are? Waterproof?

I sighed again as my dad's debt came back to my mind. Five million, where will I get that? Even if I work non-stop, I won't be able to come up with five million in three months.

"Your hospital bills are paid. Just rest and stop thinking."