Beautifully dangerous

Running Out of Time

Ivy's POV

The hospital had become my second home.

The smell of antiseptic lingered in every hallway,mixing with the faint scent of coffee from exhausted nurses who barely had time to sit down.

I hated that smell.

It reminded me that every visit meant one thing.

Emma was still waiting.

As the elevator doors opened, I tightened my grip on the small paper bag in my hands.

Emma's favorite blueberry muffins.

She always smiled whenever I brought them, even though she was never allowed to eat more than a few bites.

"Miss Carter," one of the nurses greeted with a tired smile.

"Good morning, Sarah."

"She's been asking for you all morning."

I forced a smile.

"I wouldn't miss today."

The walk to Room 214 felt longer than usual.

Every step carried the weight of yesterday.

Dante Moretti.

His voice.

His eyes.

His impossible offer.

You belong to me now.

The words refused to leave my mind.

I shook my head.

Not now.

Emma needed me.

I pushed open the door.

"There she is!" a cheerful voice exclaimed.

I looked up and smiled despite everything.

Emma sat against the hospital pillows, her golden-brown curls spilling over her shoulders. Her tiny face looked thinner than it had a month ago, but her smile was still bright enough to light the room.

"You came!"

"I always come"

She reached for me, and I wrapped my hands around her carefully.

"You brought muffins!"

I laughed softly.

"I know my little trouble maker."

She giggled.

"Only because hospital food is gross."

"You shouldn't say that where the nurses can hear you."

"They already know"

For a few precious minutes, everything felt normal.

Emma talked about the books she was reading, the cartoons she watched, and how she'd beaten another patient at cards.

I laughed with her.

Pretended nothing was wrong.

Pretended she wasn't getting weaker.

Pretended I wasn't terrified.

A gentle knock interrupted us.

"Miss Carter?"

I turned.

Dr. Nathan reynolds stood in the doorway,his expression more serious than usual.

"May I speak with you for a moment?"

My stomach sank.

"I'll be right back," I told Emma.

She nodded, still smiling.

The smile disappeared the moment the door closed behind me.

Dr. Reynolds folded his hands.

"I'll be honest with you, Ivy."

My heart began pounding.

"Emma condition has worsened."

The hallway suddenly felt too small.

"What do you mean?"

"Her heart is becoming weaker."

"Despite the medications, it's struggling to keep up."

I stared at him.

"No…"

"We have done everything we can."

He sighed.

"But medicine can only do so much."

The words echoed in my ears.

"She needs a transplant."

"I know," I whispered.

"No."

His voice grew gentler.

"She needs one soon."

"Very soon."

I felt my knees weaken.

"What happens if…."

I couldn't finish the sentence.

Dr. Reynolds looked down before meeting my eyes again.

"If we don't find a suitable donor in time…"

He paused.

"…I'm afraid we may lose her."

Every around me stopped.

The nurses.

The footsteps.

The conversations.

The world became silent.

"How much time does she have?

He hesitated.

"I can't give you an exact date."

"But weeks…"

His voice cracked slightly.

"…not months."

A tear slipped down my cheek.

"No."

"There has to be something else."

"We're doing everything possible."

"We've placed her on the highest priority list."

"But donor hearts are incredibly rare."

My hands began trembling.

"What about money?"

I asked desperately.

"If I pay more…"

If I work harder…"

If I find the money…"

He gently shook his head.

"This isn't only about money."

"It's about finding a compatible donor."

I covered my mouth to stop myself from crying out.

"I can't lose her."

"I already lost my parents."

"I can't lose Emma too."

Dr. Reynolds placed a comforting hand on my shoulder.

"I know how much you love your sister."

"Don't give up hope."

"We've seen miracles before."

I nodded, though hope felt painfully distant.

As I turned back toward Emma's room, my phone vibrated inside my pocket.

Unknown number.

I almost ignored it.

Then another message appeared.

"The hospital has received full payment for Emma Carter's treatment. Report to my estate at 7.00 p.m. Don't keep me waiting.—Dante Moretti."

My breath caught.

I read the message again.

And again.

The bills…

He had actually paid them.

My chest tightened.

Relief washed over me for Emma.

Fear settled over me for myself.

This wasn't kindness.

This wasn't charity.

It was the beginning of the deal.

I looked through the glass window into Emma's room.

She was smiling as she colored a picture, completely unaware that her future had just been bought by one of the most dangerous men in the city.

I closed my eyes.

There was no turning back now.

I had made my choice.

And tonight…

I would walk willingly into Dante Moretti's world.