Chapter 4: The Last Hope
522 Words
The first rays of sunlight crept through Isabella's bedroom window.
She hadn't slept.
The contract was still lying on the table exactly where she had left it.
Every time she looked at it, Ethan's words echoed in her mind.
"I never make the same offer twice."
She closed the folder and took a deep breath.
"No," she whispered to herself. "There has to be another way."
By eight o'clock that morning, Isabella had already visited three different banks.
"I'm sorry, Miss Hart," the bank manager said politely. "Without a stable income or valuable assets, we can't approve a loan of that size."
Another rejection.
She thanked him quietly before walking outside.
The city was alive with people rushing to work, but to Isabella, everything felt strangely silent.
She checked her phone.
No new messages.
No miracle.
She spent the rest of the morning calling every relative she knew.
Some didn't answer.
Others apologized.
"I wish I could help."
"I'm struggling too."
"I don't have that kind of money."
Each call chipped away at the little hope she had left.
By afternoon, Isabella returned to the hospital carrying a small bag of fruit.
She forced a smile before entering Noah's room.
Her little brother looked pale, but when he saw her, his face brightened.
"You're here."
"Of course," Isabella said, sitting beside him.
"You missed your classes again."
She laughed softly.
"I'll survive."
Noah looked at her carefully.
"You're crying."
"I'm not."
"You always rub your eyes when you're trying not to cry."
She looked away.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then Noah reached out and held her hand.
"If the treatment is too expensive..."
She immediately interrupted him.
"Don't finish that sentence."
"But Bella—"
"No."
Her voice cracked.
"I will never give up on you."
A tear escaped despite her efforts to hold it back.
Noah smiled weakly.
"I know."
Outside the room, Isabella leaned against the wall and covered her face.
She couldn't let Noah see how scared she was.
Just then, the doctor approached.
"I'm sorry to interrupt."
She wiped her tears.
"Yes, Doctor?"
"The finance department has informed me that today is the final day we can delay payment."
Her heart sank.
"If the deposit isn't made by six o'clock..."
He didn't finish.
He didn't need to.
She already understood.
At exactly 5:32 p.m.
Isabella stood outside the hospital entrance.
The business card was still in her purse.
She stared at it for what felt like forever.
Her thumb hovered over Ethan Kingsley's number.
If she made this call...
Her life would never be the same.
She closed her eyes and pressed Call.
The phone rang once.
Twice.
Then his calm voice answered.
"I was beginning to think you'd chosen pride over your family."
Isabella swallowed hard.
Her voice was barely above a whisper.
"...I'll do it."
Silence.
Then Ethan said,
"Good."
"My driver will pick you up in thirty minutes."
The call ended.
Isabella lowered the phone slowly.
She had just agreed to marry a man she had met only once.
A man whose heart was hidden behind a contract.
Little did she know...
- Writer
