AGAINST ALL ODDS.

At the hospital

As soon as they reached the car,J.W ordered the driver with a clipped tone,"To the hospital,now!!"

Liv clutched Milan tightly in her arm,feeling the intense heat radiating from his tiny body. His fever was dangerously high ,and his weak breaths terrified her.She stroked his damp forehead whispering"Hold on ,Milan.Just a little longer."

Milan despite his fragile state, managed to crack a small exhausted smile,"Sis..I'm okay..." he murmured his voice barely audible.

Liv's heart clenched. Even at his worst he was trying to comfort her.She hugged him tighter ,her tears silently falling to his tattered clothes.

Mean while J.W stearing at them his expression unraedible.His icy aura filled the car making it hard for liv to even look at him,but something about him made her stay silent.

The car ride felt agonizingly long,but as soon as they arrived at the hospital,nurses rushed out with a stretcher.Liv gently laid Milan down ,gripping his small hand as they wheeled him inside.

" He needs emergency care,"one of the doctors called out.liv tried to follow but a nurse stopped her,"Miss you need to wait here."

"But-?"

Before she could protest the emergency room doors slammed shut in her face she stood frozen, her chest raising and falling in panic.

Then the worst news came.

After what felt like hours, the doctor finally emerged his face grim,"Are you Milan's guardian."

Liv nodded frantically"Is he okay..please tell, me he is okay!"

The doctor sighed" we were able to stabilize him for now,but...his brain tumor has grown significanty." He hesitated before continuing "Of we don't oparate before midnight...I'm afraid he won't make it!"

The ground beneath Liv seemed to crumble.Her knees buckled and she grabbed the chair beside her for support ,"Surgery...yes of course..please do it ..I'll do anything!"

The doctor's face remained serious"This procedure is higly complex and expensive ot will cost 700, 000 dollars."The number was so high that Livs breath caught in her throat.

She staggered backwards,shaking her heads"That's... impossible."

Tears streamed down her face as she clutchef her face"What do I do...?what do i do?"She sobbed uncontrollably , the weight of her helplessness crushing her.

Then a crisp sound cut through her despair- the sound of a check been torn from a check book.

"See to it that the surgery is done immediately." a voice commanded.

Liv gasped, her teary eyes snapping up.

Standing before her holding a sighned check was J.W.His sharp features were as cold as ever, his dark aura swallowing the space around them.

Her lips trembled" You..?"Without another word J.W grabbed her arms and dragged her away from the waiting area.

J.W led her through the hospital corridors and out to a grimmy cafeteria where the floresent light flickered overhead.With out a word of comfort,he stopped at a small table and almost mechaically,handed her a neatly packed meal.

Liv thought to herself why is the cafeteria empty ..aren't they supposed to be people here even the staff are no where to be seen.She did not know the mans status maybe thas why she taught all of this .

The lunch had been prepared by his right hand man,ever - efficient Murphy.As Liv accapted it she couldn't help but notice the disdain in his eyes a cold calculated move that made her stomach twist.Still she forced a smile and murmured a quiet thank you.

His reply was chilling as his gaze."You cannot repay my debt" he said flattly.

Livs heart pounded as the enormity of his words sank in.How was she ever supposed to conjure seven million dollars when ahe barely had a hundred to her name. The numbers swirled in her mind each of the reminder of her familys desparate need and her own impossibility of meeting his demands.

J.W's narrowed further, a predatory smirk curved his lip. He lined in, lowering his voice until it was barely more than a hiss.

"I have arrangements for you"he said."Agree to my terms and i will save ur little brother.I'll even save ur dying family"

There was a venom in his tone as he continued, his voice laced with contempt"And don't even think for a moment i don't know your kind of background-resorting to those unseemingly methods.You are nothing but a slut when it comes to scrapping together money."

Each word stabbing at Livs heart ,she didn't know what he ment maybe he misunderstood her.Yet she sat there in agonizing silence.She knew this unholy pact was her only was to save Milan and her family.Even if the price was a peace of her soul. A bitter lump formed in her throat,and despite the humiliation,she dared to ask "What exactly do u want from me?"

J.W's eyes glittered with disdain as he answered dismissively" I don't want your body-it's trash and I have no use for it.you can cry all u want ur tears means nothing to me."He paused his gaze cold and unyeilding."In one week i will tell you exactly what i require."

Without warning he abruptly rose. In a sudden burst of agreesion

he flung his coffee a cross he face" You disgust me" he said ,looking at her with contempt and malice , But why??

Before she could even register the shock.His hands clamped down on her chin, his grip forcefully and hatefully as he locked eyes with her.Then as quickly as he had appeared,he thrust a small bag into her trembling hands and disappeared into the din of the cafeteria.

Liv's tears flowed unchecked as she cradled the bag,her mind a tumult of fear,shame and determination.Despite the humiliation and the harshness of his words ,she vowed silently to endure whatever torment lay ahead ,for Milan for her mother and even for her trouble drunken father.

Just then a doctor approached with a look that blended Condescension and concern as though she was unwell her self.He muttered something indistinct about her condition but then added," your brother is fine.'

Relief washed over liv, and with renewed hope she rushed to Milan.When she reached his side she discovered he had a mild concussion:an iv drip was already hooked up to him and his small face was etched with pain.For a long moment ,she simply sat by his side, her eyes fixed on his fragile form,as she made a silent: desparate promise.No matter what J.W demanded -she will see it through- she will do it all for hrr family.

Unbeknownst to Liv.Hidden in the murk of the room shadows,A sollitay figure observed her every move,there gaze intense and calculating.Waiting for the moment this dark bargain will begin to fall.