My Contract Husband Has Six Months To Live

Chapter 2

The words lingered in the room long after they had been spoken.

Six months. Half a year. One hundred and eighty days.

Donald lowered his eyes toward his hands. He never expected such an outcome, even though he had tortured himself with guilt over the years. He shut his eyes and released a deep breath.

If there is nothing to talk about regarding Donald, his cold aura is enough to freeze one alive.

Knowing what is best for him, the doctor quietly excused himself as he left the room unusually silent.

For several moments, neither Donald nor Michael spoke.

It was Michael who finally broke the silence.

"I'm sorry."

Donald looked at him. "You have nothing to apologize for."

“Why do you keep torturing yourself?” Michael shut his eyes, then he proceeded. “I’m sure Young Madam won’t like seeing you like this!”

“Stop!” Donald warned.

However, Michael pretended not to hear. “It’s not your fault that she didn’t survive the accident, so you should move on and stop blaming yourself”

Donald clinched his fist, his eyes brimming red in anger. “Consider your paycheck for the next 3 months gone!”

He became agitated anytime the incident surfaced. The room grew quiet once more.

His mind drifted somewhere he hadn't visited in years.

Back to a bright summer evening. Back to the only person who had ever understood him completely.

His twin sister. Everything felt like a dream, a nightmare that seemed not to end even though he woke up. He remembered how the truck came speeding towards them with a terrifying look on its face.

A deafening crash, twisted metal, and shattered glass.

Someone was screaming his name... Darkness followed.

When Donald finally opened his eyes again...

Everything had changed. His sister was gone. He survived, but she didn't.

The doctors assured Raymond and Betty that Donald had recovered remarkably well after emergency surgery.

But Donald isn't ready to let go; he blames himself every day and wishes he would die on behalf of his late twin sister.

Every time someone suggested another examination, Donald refused. Gradually, he neglected his health completely due to guilt and self-hatred.

He convinced himself that if he simply ignored the symptoms, they would eventually disappear.

Instead, they quietly grew worse.

Until the previous day, he found himself wandering through unfamiliar streets with no memory of how he got there.

He has been battling with different symptoms: headache, dizziness, numbness, and memory lapses. And now, he has just six months left.

A soft tap interrupted his thoughts.

Michael cleared his throat.

"Sir..." Donald looked up.

"The young woman who saved you yesterday..."

Something softened in his expression. "Did you find her?"

Michael nodded. I tried to compensate her, but she refused."

For the first time that morning, a faint smile appeared on Donald's face. It was something strange to hear; he was expecting something else.

"Make sure you keep your mouth about the result." Donald stood up, sliding his suit on. "I don't want Mom and Dad to be worried"

Michael bowed. "Noted, sir"

They both left the hospital room; however, as they approached the reception, a sob filled the air.

"Please save my mom. I promise to work and pay back." Rita pleaded continuously, with tears rolling down her eyes nonstop.

The nurse sighed for the umpteenth time. "Ma'am, I understand your situation, but there is nothing we can do without any payment"

Michael took a close look at the lady crying; he recognised her immediately. "Boss, she is the lady that saved you"

Donald nodded quietly. "Take care of it. I don't want anything messy, "he warned before heading out.

"Yes, Boss," Michael acknowledged before calling a nurse's attention to clear Rita’s mother's bills.

Shortly after, the nurse broke the news to Rita. "Congratulations, someone cleared the bills"

"What?" Her hands trembled immediately. Throughout her life, no one has ever support. She has been the one supporting her family; hearing this made her question the nurse immediately. "What do you mean? Who will clear the bills?"

"Sorry, I can't disclose the information in detail," The nurse declared and disappeared.

However, Rita refuses to give up. After pleading with the nurse endlessly, promising she wanted to show her gratitude. The nurse gave her the information after confirming with Michael.

Rita returned quietly to her mother's hospital room. The faint beeping of the heart monitor filled the silence as she noticed that her mother was finally awake. Relief washed over her tired face. She hurried to the bedside and gently held her mother's hand.

"Mom... you're awake."

Her mother's pale lips curved into a weak smile. "Rita... I'm sorry for worrying you."

"Don't say that." Rita shook her head, forcing a reassuring smile despite the exhaustion weighing on her shoulders. "The doctor said you'll recover soon. You don't have to worry about the hospital bills anymore. They've already been settled."

Her mother's eyes widened in surprise. "Settled? But how?"

"I will explain everything later," Rita replied softly. "Right now, I just want you to focus on getting better. I will take care of Daniel while you're here, and I will make sure everything is alright."

Tears gathered in her mother's eyes. "You've carried this family for so long. Instead of enjoying your youth, you've been working yourself to the bone because of us." Her voice trembled with guilt. "I'm sorry for causing you so much stress."

Rita squeezed her hand gently.

"You're my mother. Taking care of you and Daniel isn't a burden. We're family."

Her mother smiled through her tears, silently thanking heaven for blessing her with such a devoted daughter.

After spending a little more time with her, Rita entrusted the nurse with her mother's care before leaving the hospital.

By the time she reached home, the night had grown quiet.

Daniel was still awake in his wheelchair, his innocent eyes immediately lighting up the moment he saw his sister walk through the door.

"Rita! How's Mom?"

Rita knelt before him and brushed his messy hair away from his forehead.

"She's doing much better. The test was successful, and she's resting now."

Daniel let out a sigh of relief. "I'm very worried"

"You should stop worrying so much." Rita smiled warmly as she helped him into bed. She carefully adjusted his blanket before gently patting his head the way their mother used to.

"Get some sleep. Before you know it, Mom will be back home nagging both of us again."

Daniel chuckled softly. "I miss that already."

Within minutes, the young boy drifted into a peaceful sleep.

Only then did Rita step outside the room and pull out the piece of paper the nurse had handed her earlier that night.

After taking a deep breath, she dialed the number.

The call connected almost immediately.

After confirming her identity, the person on the other end politely instructed her to visit the company's headquarters the following morning.

The next day, Rita arrived early, nervously waiting in the luxurious reception area. The grandeur of the building made her feel completely out of place.

Moments later, two familiar figures entered.

Donald walked in with his usual composed expression while Michael followed closely behind.

Rita immediately stood up and bowed respectfully.

"Mr. Donald... Thank you for saving my mother. I truly appreciate what you've done for my family." Her eyes shone with sincerity. "I promise I will repay every cent."

Donald regarded her calmly.

"You saved my life first," he said. "I will say we are even."

Rita quickly shook her head.

"No. A life can't be measured with money, but I can't accept such a huge favor without paying it back." Gathering her courage, she added, "If... if you're willing to give me a job, I don't mind doing cleaning work or anything else. I'll work until I've repaid the debt."

A faint smile tugged at Donald's lips.

"Do you know how much your mother's medical bill was?"

Rita lowered her gaze.

"Ten thousand dollars."

"Even if you worked as a cleaner every single day," Donald said evenly, "it would take you years to repay it."

She fell silent.

Donald glanced at Michael before looking back at Rita. "Instead, I have another proposal."

Rita looked up, confused.

"A contract marriage." Donald declared.