THE BILLIONAIRE’S TREASURE

CHAPTER1

CHAPTER 1



Tracy stood in front of the hospital windows as tears rolled down her cheeks. She stared at the heavy rain outside, so lost in her thoughts. Each sound of the persistent downpour was a constant reminder of her unfortunate situation.

The sounds of slow footsteps echoed down the dark passage, getting closer to her as she snapped back to a terrifying reality.

She wipes her cheeks softly. Not wanting anyone to see her tears, which has kind of become a habit since she got here.

“Miss Gilbert, if the payment is not made in two days, we’ll have no choice than to stop your mother’s treatment,” the nurse said calmly and handed over the receipt to Tracy before she walked away.

She sluggishly sat into the chair outside the waiting room and held the unpaid bill so tightly that it could rumple and crush in her palms. She felt so overwhelmed. She had used up every last cent in her savings and took loans from friends. There was nothing left.

She had given up the last bit of safety net. But still it wasn’t enough. The fact that it seemed as if the bills tripped every day scared her the most.

“Tracy, You’re still around?”

She looked up to find her aunt standing by her side, struggling to close the wet umbrella.

“Where else am I supposed to be? I’ve been here the whole time.” Tracy said gently.

Aunty Suzzy paused for a while and sat beside her.

“I have something to tell you, but promise me you won’t freak out.”

Tracy turned to look at her. Her face lifted up in suspense. “Aunt Suzzy, you know I can’t promise you that until I know what you’re talking about. So what exactly do you mean?”

“There could be another solution.”

Tracy’s eyes opened wider than normal. “Are you sure about that?” She asked, her voice down. Because, for all I know, we both have zero cash right now and no back up support.

“Or have you suddenly become rich overnight?” If not, I don’t think there’s any other solution.

Aunty Suzzy leaned closer, her face fully blank.

“There’s someone I met who can help. A man, to be precise. He is rich and powerful. But he expects a payback. Something in return.”

Tracy’s chest tightened. A frown appeared on her forehead. “What does he want in return?”

Aunt Suzzy hesitated for a bit, then she spoke.

“A marriage contract.”

Tracy was completely speechless. For a second, she could not figure out what to say.

“A what?”

“A marriage contract,” Aunty Suzzy replied.

“It’s not a lifetime marriage. It’s just for one year only. You get married to him. In exchange he pays your mother’s medical bills and clears your family’s debts.”

Tracy got up from her seat. Her breath caught in her throat. Nothing prepared her for what she just heard.

“Are you being serious right now?” Tracy yelled. She felt very angry and tried to control it. Because she could notice eyes looking at her. She didn’t want to create a scene.

Aunt Suzzy stood there, her facial expression emotionless. With the look in her eyes, she was ready to give in and persuade her niece to do so at all costs.

“I knew you would freak out, but you don’t have much time left. It’s not as bad as it sounds. I hope you understand where I’m coming from.” She explained.

“I won’t do it.” Tracy said.

“I won’t marry someone I don’t love.”

“I have feelings of my own.”

“I’m not some kind of property to be bought!”

“Tracy.” Aunt Suzzy moves closer, trying to touch her hand.

“Don’t! I need to be alone.” Tracy said, her voice breaking and she walked down the hallway.

Tracy got to the hospital room where her mom was admitted. She has been unconscious for two weeks now. Her mother lies down there fighting for life. The hospital walls instantly felt so suffocating. Strong scents pressing hard against her nose. She sits on one side of the bed and takes her mother’s hands into hers.

“Mom, I can’t take this anymore.” She whispered.

“This is a whole lot for me to handle.”

“I’m so sorry, I don’t know what else to do.”

Tears filled her eyes as she noticed her shaking hands. Tracy had always been a devoted daughter. She always took her family’s responsibilities seriously and never failed to support them. She gave up everything she had left in this world. Every single penny, every coin from her savings. Still, it wasn’t close to being enough. She felt a lot of pressure to sacrifice for her family this time.

Feeling very tired, Tracy closed her eyes and rested her head on the bed she was seated on. The bills occupied her mind. Guilt consumed her. She was occupied with various thoughts.

“Why didn’t I save more?”

“Why didn’t I work harder?”

“Why wasn’t I richer?”

All these thoughts troubled her. Each one weighed heavily in her head as she kept replaying them over and over again. She felt empty inside and just wanted a way out from all of these.

She opened her eyes and realized it was already noon. She had slept off with her thoughts in mind. Her forehead was aching terribly. The door opened, drawing her attention to who stood there.

“Miss Gilbert, the doctor wants to see you in his office now.”

“Okay, I’m right behind you.” Tracy said as she stood up and followed the nurse out.

They got to the doctor’s office, knocked, and a voice answered “Come in,” from within. Tracy went inside to find Aunty Suzzy already seated. She took a deep breath and sat next to her.

“Hello Miss Gilbert.”

“Hello,” Tracy forced a smile.

“Have you met with the nurse today?”

“Yes, I have.”

“What did she say?”

“She said you gave us two more days.”

Aunty Suzzy reached under the table. She squeezed her hands gently, and Tracy felt calm.

“You know your mother’s case is very critical. She requires immediate surgery as soon as possible due to the gastrointestinal bleeding. If the payment isn’t made within two days, then I’m sorry we might not be able to save her life.”

The doctor’s cold words rang in Tracy’s head as she glared at him in belief.

“Doctor, there has to be another way.” Tracy shook her head.

“Miss Gilbert, there’s no other way. This is the only medical care needed for your mother to live. Only then can we perform our best work to help her fully,”

Tracy felt overpowered as panic gripped her stomach. She knew the bills cost so much more than she could ever save or afford, no matter how hard she tried.

“That’s all for today. You may leave my office.” He said bluntly.

“Thank you, doctor. We will try to raise the funds needed in two days.” Aunt Suzzy said, her voice cracking as she looked at Tracy and gave a brief nod signaling them to leave the office.

“This is the worst day of my life.” Tracy screamed, not minding the people looking at her.

“Forty-eight hours,” Tracy continued. “Where the hell am I supposed to get such a huge amount in forty-eight hours?”

Aunt Suzzy let out a sigh, not knowing how to respond and what else to say. She could feel Tracy’s frustration. She wanted to convince her to accept the contract marriage but kicked against it. She didn’t want to quarrel with her niece the second time.

Finally, she spoke. “Tracy, you are running out of time. You need to decide now before it’s too late.”

Tracy knew what she was talking about. She knew it was about the contract marriage, but she didn’t want her thoughts to linger there. She deliberately wanted to push the idea far away.

“I’m stepping out a bit to clear my head,” Tracy replied, her voice low.

She left the hospital and into the blinding sunlight. She closed her eyes as she took a large breath of air to feel at ease.

Suddenly, a black car pulled up in front of her. A man in a black suit got out and approached her.

“Miss Tracy Gilbert,” he said in a deep tone.

The man was a stranger. She took a step backwards.

“Yes, who are you?” Tracy asked, looking up in shock.

“Get in.”