Bound To The Ruthless Billonaire

The hospital smelled like fear. Not the normal clean smell people talk about. This one was different. It was sharp, cold… like something bad was waiting to happen. Nova Imani ran through the sliding doors, her slippers almost slipping off her feet as she struggled to keep up with the stretcher. “Please, be careful! That’s my brother!” she cried, her voice shaking. Her younger brother lay on the stretcher, eyes closed, body too still. Too quiet. “Madam, step back,” one of the nurses said without even looking at her. Nova didn’t step back. She held the side of the stretcher, her fingers trembling. “He just collapsed. He was fine this morning. Please just help him.” They pushed past her. Like she wasn’t even there. The double doors swung open, then shut in her face. Emergency Room. Just like that, he was gone from her sight. Nova stood there, breathing hard, her chest rising and falling like she had been running for hours. “Please…” she whispered, staring at the door like it would open if she begged hard enough. It didn’t. — “Where is the patient’s relative?” Nova turned quickly. “I’m here,” she said, rushing toward the doctor. The doctor didn’t waste time. “He needs immediate treatment. We’ll run tests and stabilize him, but you need to make an initial deposit.” “How much?” she asked, already knowing it wouldn’t be something small. The doctor said the amount. Nova froze. It didn’t even sound real. “That… that’s not possible,” she said slowly, shaking her head like it would change the number. “Then we can’t proceed beyond basic stabilization,” he replied flatly. “You need to pay.” Her throat tightened. “He’s dying.” The doctor didn’t respond. Just looked at her like he had seen this too many times. “I’ll get the money,” she said quickly. “Just… just start everything. Please.” “We’ll do what we can,” he said, already turning away. Nova stood there for a second, then rushed out, pulling out her phone with shaky hands. She called the first number. “Aunty, please… I need help. It’s urgent. He collapsed, they need money—” The voice on the other end cut her off. “Nova, I don’t have that kind of money. Not now.” The call ended. She didn’t even get to finish. Next number. “Hello, please I—” “Send a message, I’m busy.” Click. Next. No answer. Next. “I’ll call you back.” They didn’t. Her hands started shaking more. She leaned against the wall, breathing fast, trying not to cry. “Think… think…” she muttered. There had to be someone. There had to be a way. She dialed again. This time, it rang… then picked. Before she could speak, the person said, “If it’s money, I don’t have it.” The line went dead. Nova slowly lowered the phone. Silence. Loud, heavy silence. People walked past her. Doctors. Nurses. Visitors. Nobody stopped. Nobody asked. Nobody cared. Her brother was in there. And she was out here. With nothing. — “Madam.” Nova looked up quickly. A nurse stood in front of her, expression blank. “We need confirmation for the next step,” she said. “Payment has not been made.” “I’m trying,” Nova said quickly. “Please just give me time.” “We don’t have time,” the nurse replied. “His condition is unstable.” Nova’s heart dropped. “Then do something!” she cried. “You’re doctors!” “We are doing what we can within limits.” Limits. That word hit harder than anything. “What if he dies?” Nova asked, her voice breaking. The nurse didn’t answer. She just turned and walked away. Nova stood there, her legs suddenly weak. She slid down slowly against the wall, covering her mouth with her hand to stop the sob that tried to escape. “No… no, no…” she whispered. She couldn’t lose him. Not like this. Not because of money. — Minutes felt like hours. Nova stood up again suddenly. No more sitting. No more waiting. She wiped her face quickly and started moving again. Reception. Billing. Anyone. “Please,” she said, standing in front of the billing desk. “Can I pay part first? I’ll bring the rest. I promise.” The woman behind the desk barely looked up. “Minimum deposit is required before full procedure.” “I don’t have it now,” Nova said, her voice shaking but firm. “But I will get it. Just start everything.” The woman shook her head. “That’s not how it works.” Nova stared at her. Then leaned forward slightly. “My brother is dying.” Silence. “I’m begging you.” The woman sighed like she was tired of hearing it. “Next person, please.” Nova didn’t move. Her fingers curled slowly. “Please,” she whispered again. “Madam, you’re blocking the line.” Nova turned. People were already waiting behind her. Looking at her. Some annoyed. Some pitying. None stepping forward. None helping. She stepped aside slowly. Her chest felt tight. Too tight. Like she couldn’t breathe properly. — She walked back toward the emergency ward. Each step felt heavier. Slower. What was she supposed to do now? Sell something? Beg outside? Steal? Her thoughts were messy, desperate. Anything. She would do anything. — The emergency doors suddenly opened. A doctor stepped out quickly. Nova rushed forward immediately. “How is he? Please—” “He’s critical,” the doctor said. “We’re moving him in for emergency intervention.” Nova’s heart stopped. “Without payment?” she asked. The doctor hesitated for a second. Then said, “We can’t wait any longer.” Relief hit her so fast it almost hurt. “Thank you,” she breathed. But the doctor’s face didn’t soften. “You still need to settle the bill,” he added. “Immediately.” Nova nodded quickly. “I will. I promise. I’ll get it.” “Make sure you do.” He walked away. — Nova stood there, watching as they wheeled her brother past her again. This time, faster. Machines attached. Beeping sounds. His face pale. Too pale. She reached out, touching his hand briefly. “I’m here,” she whispered. “I’m not going anywhere.” He didn’t respond. Of course he didn’t. But she said it anyway. — The doors closed again. This time, deeper inside. More serious. More dangerous. Nova stood alone again. Same spot. Same helpless feeling. But now worse. Because time was running out. — She looked down at her empty hands. No money. No help. No solution. Just a promise she didn’t know how to keep. Her chest tightened again. Tears filled her eyes, but she blinked them back. Not now. She couldn’t break now. Not yet. — “Please…” she whispered again, to no one in particular. To God. To fate. To anyone listening. “Just save him.” Behind her, the hospital doors opened again.