Chapter 4: Desperate Choices
1265 Words
The doorknob stopped turning.
Aria stood frozen in the middle of her apartment, scarcely daring to breathe.
Knock.
Knock.
Knock.
The sound came again.
She reached for the nearest thing she could use as a weapon—a heavy metal lamp resting on the small table beside her bed.
“Who is it?” she called, trying to keep her voice steady.
No answer.
Only silence.
A minute passed.
Then another.
Gathering every ounce of courage, she edged toward the peephole.
The hallway outside was empty.
No one.
Her gaze dropped to the floor.
A plain brown envelope lay just outside her door.
Her heart raced.
She unlocked the door just enough to snatch it inside before quickly locking it again.
There was no name.
No address.
Only a single sentence typed on a white sheet of paper.
Some truths are worth dying for. Others are worth killing for. Stop looking for Victor Ashford.
Aria’s hands trembled.
Whoever had left the message knew where she lived.
She folded the paper and shoved it into a drawer before sinking onto the sofa.
Sleep never came.
⸻
The next morning…
Aria barely had time to change before her phone rang.
St. Catherine’s Hospital.
She answered immediately.
“Miss Bennett?” the billing officer said politely.
“Yes.”
“I’m calling regarding your mother’s account.”
Aria closed her eyes.
“I know…”
“The payment deadline is today.”
“I just need a little more time.”
“I’m sorry, Miss Bennett, but the outstanding balance has now exceeded £200,000.”
Her grip tightened around the phone.
“If payment isn’t received by 5 p.m., the hospital will be forced to suspend her specialist treatment until the balance is settled.”
Aria felt as though the floor had disappeared beneath her.
“Please…” she whispered.
“She’s all I have.”
There was genuine sympathy in the woman’s voice.
“I truly am sorry.”
The call ended.
For several moments, Aria simply stared at the blank screen.
Then she grabbed her handbag.
She wasn’t giving up.
Not yet.
⸻
Her first stop was the bank.
The manager looked uncomfortable as he slid the documents back across the desk.
“Miss Bennett, your previous loan application was declined.”
“I can repay it.”
“I’m afraid you don’t have sufficient collateral.”
“My mother’s medical records—”
“I’m sorry.”
He stood, signalling the meeting was over.
“There is nothing more we can do.”
⸻
By noon, Aria had visited four more financial institutions.
Each answer was the same.
Rejected.
Rejected.
Rejected.
By the time she stepped onto the crowded pavement, exhaustion weighed heavily on her shoulders.
Her stomach growled.
She realised she hadn’t eaten since yesterday afternoon.
She searched her purse.
Just enough money for a bottle of water.
Nothing more.
As she crossed the street, someone suddenly grabbed her arm.
“Miss Bennett?”
She turned.
Two men in dark suits stood before her.
Neither looked friendly.
“You owe Blackstone Finance £18,500.”
“I know.”
“When do you intend to pay?”
“I just need a few more weeks.”
The taller man laughed.
“You’ve been saying that for months.”
People passing by slowed to watch.
Embarrassment burned across Aria’s face.
“I’ll pay.”
“With what?”
He leaned closer.
“You don’t even have enough money to feed yourself.”
The second man smiled coldly.
“Maybe it’s time you sold that apartment.”
“It’s rented.”
“Then sell whatever’s inside.”
“I have nothing left.”
The taller man shrugged.
“Not our problem.”
He stepped even closer.
“If you don’t pay by tomorrow…”
“…we’ll start collecting in other ways.”
They walked away, leaving Aria trembling in the middle of the pavement.
She felt dozens of curious eyes watching her.
Humiliation washed over her.
⸻
An hour later, she arrived at the hospital.
Her mother lay peacefully asleep, unaware of the storm surrounding her.
Aria gently brushed a strand of grey hair away from her mother’s face.
“I’m trying, Mum.”
Her voice cracked.
“I really am.”
Machines beeped softly around the room.
The once cheerful woman who had filled their home with laughter now looked so fragile.
Aria swallowed hard.
“I won’t lose you.”
She reached into her handbag and took out the silver flash drive.
“I’ll find the truth Dad wanted me to find.”
“And I’ll clear his name.”
A soft knock interrupted her thoughts.
The doctor entered.
His expression alone told her the news wasn’t good.
“Miss Bennett.”
She stood immediately.
“How is she?”
“The medication is keeping her stable…”
“…but not for long.”
He sighed.
“Without the surgery, her condition will continue to deteriorate.”
“How much time do we have?”
“Days.”
The word hit her like a punch to the chest.
“I’m sorry.”
The doctor placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder before quietly leaving.
Aria remained standing beside the bed.
Days.
Not weeks.
Not months.
Days.
⸻
As evening fell, she walked aimlessly through the city.
Rain began to fall once more.
She didn’t bother opening her umbrella.
Every option had disappeared.
No bank would help her.
Debt collectors were closing in.
The hospital was waiting for payment.
Someone was threatening her because of her father’s investigation.
She had reached the end of the road.
Her phone vibrated.
One new message.
She expected another bill.
Instead, the screen displayed an unfamiliar number.
Unknown Caller
She hesitated before answering.
“Hello?”
“Have you made your decision?”
Her heart skipped.
She recognised the calm, unwavering voice immediately.
Damien Ashford.
She said nothing.
“I’ll make this simple,” he continued.
“The hospital has given your mother only a few days.”
Aria’s eyes widened.
“How do you know that?”
“I told you before.”
“I know more than you realise.”
She bit back her anger.
“Have you been spying on me?”
“I’ve been making sure you’re safe.”
“I don’t need your protection.”
“No.”
His voice remained composed.
“You need a choice.”
Silence stretched between them.
Then Damien spoke the words she had been dreading.
“Marry me.”
Aria closed her eyes.
“I already told you no.”
“This is my final offer.”
“If you refuse, I’ll never ask again.”
Her fingers tightened around the phone.
“What exactly are you offering?”
“I’ll pay every penny of your mother’s medical expenses.”
“I’ll clear all your debts.”
“I’ll give you access to Ashford Group.”
“And together…”
His voice lowered.
“…we’ll find the person who destroyed your father.”
Aria stood motionless beneath the pouring rain.
Everything inside her screamed not to trust him.
But for the first time in years…
She had nowhere left to run.
Damien waited patiently on the other end of the line.
Finally, he spoke one last sentence.
“I’ll be waiting in my office tomorrow morning at nine.”
The call ended.
Aria slowly lowered the phone.
She looked up at the dark sky as rain streamed down her face.
She could no longer tell whether the wetness on her cheeks came from the storm…
…or from her tears.
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