THE BILLIONAIRE’S CONTRACT

The hospital smelled of strong antiseptic medicine. Bella Hart sat outside the intensive care unit with her elbow resting on her knees. She kept looking at the wall clock. 2:47 A.M. It felt like time had stopped moving. She had been sitting there for three days now, and she became familiar with the wheels of hospital beds rolling past, even the beeping of the machines. She could hear the nurses talking quietly as they changed shifts. Bella rubbed her eyes, she couldn’t remember the last time she had slept or eaten properly or even smiled. She looked through the small glass window. Her twelve-year-old stepbrother, Ethan, was lying on the hospital bed. Tubes were connected to his body and machines were helping him breathe, he looked so small. Just a few days ago, he had been outside playing with the dogs and laughing after one stole biscuits from his hand. Now he couldn’t even breathe on his own. Tears filled Bella’s eyes, “No,” she whispered. “You’re coming home with me, I don’t care what it takes.” Just then, the ICU door opened, a doctor walked out and took off his face mask, the look on his face made Bella’s heart sink. She quickly stood up, the chair behind her fell to the floor. “Doctor?” He looked at her sadly. “Miss Hart…..” Bella’s heart started beating faster. “Please… Doctor tell me he’s getting better.” The doctor went quiet for a moment before speaking. “I’m sorry. Ethan’s condition has become worse.” Bella felt so weak. “Worse? What do you mean?” “It means we’re running out of time.” Bella kept staring at him. “I don’t understand.” “His body is no longer responding to treatment, and the machines are no longer working,” the doctor replied. Bella shook her head slowly, “So what do we do?” The doctor took a deep breath. “There is only one option left.” Hope filled Bella’s heart. “What is it?” she asked. The doctor looked at her. “We need to take Ethan to Italy as soon as possible.” “Italy?” Bella asked. He nodded, “The surgery he needs can’t be done here. There’s a team of surgeons in Italy that can help him, but….” He stopped talking. Bella’s heart sank, she hated that word. “How much will it cost?” she asked quietly. The doctor looked down before answering. “Everything will cost about 20 million naira.” Bella blinked, she thought she had heard him wrong. “I’m sorry… how much?” “Twenty million naira.” The number kept repeating in her head. Twenty million naira! Twenty million naira! Twenty million naira! It felt impossible. Bella struggled to breathe. “There has to be another way.” The doctor shook his head sadly. “I wish there was.” “If we don’t start making plans within the next four-eight hours…..” He stopped talking because he didn’t need to say the rest Bella already understood. Ethan had just two days left. “I’m so sorry,” the doctor said softly. He gently touched her shoulder and walked away. Bella stood there without moving, the whole hospital suddenly felt silent.” Bella slowly opened her old handbag. Inside was a small brown purse with a broken zip. She counted her money, one thousand, two thousand, three thousand, four thousand, and two hundred naira. ₦4,200, that was all she had. Bella kept staring at the money for a long time, then she gave out a small laugh. She was laughing and crying at the same time. How could four thousand two hundred naira save someone who needed 20 million? She had already sold her phone, her mother’s jewelry, and her old sewing machine. She even sold the small television she and Ethan watched every Sunday. There was absolutely nothing left to sell. She covered her face with both hands. “God,” she whispered. “I don’t know what to do anymore.” Just then she heard a weak voice, “Big sis…” Bella quickly looked up. A nurse was pushing Ethan’s bed down the hallway for another test. His eyes were slightly open, he looked very tired and weak, but he was still smiling. Bella hurried to meet him. “Ethan.” He reached for her hand, Bella held it gently, and his hand felt cold. “Are you crying?” he asked. Bella quickly wiped her tears, “No.” He smiled a little, “You always say that when you’re crying.” Bella laughed softly, “You’re too smart my big boy.” Ethan smiled again, “When I get better…” he stopped to catch his breath. “… Can we still go to the beach?” Tears filled Bella’s eyes again. She remembered the promise she made months ago. After his exams, she would take him to the beach. He always reminded her every time. “The beach with the horses,” he said. Bella nodded. “Yes.” “And coconut.” “Yes.” “And lots of ice cream.” Bella smiled, “You can have as much ice cream as you want.” His face lit up. “I knew you wouldn’t forget.” Bella kissed his forehead. “I never break my promises, just get better and we’ll go to the beach together.” The nurse smiled kindly. “We have to go now.” Bella slowly let go of his hand. As Ethan was pushed away, he lifted his face and waved, “I love you, sis.” Bella smiled through her tears and waved back, “I love you more.” When he disappeared around the corner, her smile faded. She leaned against the wall, Ethan believed that she could fix everything. He had no idea she didn’t even know where their next meal would come from. But she made a promise to herself that no matter what happened, she would find that twenty million naira. She had to. Her junior brother believed in her. She wouldn’t let Ethan’s memory be a promise she couldn’t keep. ** By morning, Bella stood in front of the Hart family house. The house looked old, and the white paint had faded. There were cracks in the walls. The roof leaked whenever it rained. Bella slowly pushed the small gate open and walked inside. She heard loud voices coming from the living room. “There's no more money!” her father shouted. “What do you expect me to do?” Margret shouted back. Bella stopped at the door. Her father, Samuel Hart, looked very tired, his hair turned gray, and his face looked older than before, while her stepmom, Margaret stood across from him, she looked neat and well-dressed, even while arguing. When she saw Bella she frowned, “So you've finally decided to come home?” Bella ignored her. “The doctor said, Ethan needs surgery.” “We know,” Margaret replied. “He has just forty-eight hours.” Margaret folded her arms. “So?” Bella couldn't believe what she heard. “So? He’ll die if we don't find the money.” Margaret sighed. “I already know that.” Bella turned to her father. “Dad…. Please.” Samuel looked down, “I've tried, I begged the bank, I called everyone I know.” “But no one can help us.” Bella felt scared. “What about the house? Can't we sell it?” Nobody answered. Then Margret spoke, “The house is gone.” Bella frowned. “What do you mean?” We used it to borrow money six months ago. Bella's heart dropped. “What?” Her father covered his face. “I had no choice. “You never told me, Bella said quietly.” “I wanted to protect you,” her dad replied. Bella gave a small laugh. “Protect me? By hiding that we've lost our home?’ Margret rolled her eyes, “Stop acting like this.” Bella looked at her, “You think this is acting?” Margret's face became cold. “If your mother hadn't brought this family so many problems, maybe we wouldn't be here.” The room became quiet. Bella stared at her, “What did you just say?” “I said your mother brought bad luck.” Bella felt anger rise inside her, “Don't talk about my mother like that.” Margret stepped closer. “Everyone knows she was nothing but a burden.” “I said stop.” Margret didn't listen. “And now you're becoming just like…..” Slap!! Bella slapped Margret’s face. The room became silent, Margret held her cheek in shock. Bella looked at her own hand. She had never slapped or fought her stepmother before. Margret's eyes filled with anger, “You'll regret this.” Bella looked straight at her. “The only thing I regret is staying in this house after my mother died.” She turned and walked out. “You'll come back begging!” Bella didn't stop, she didn't even look back. Margret turned to Samuel. “And you…” “You're here standing like a fool, when your useless daughter slapped me, and you didn't do anything.” “Foolish man!” Margret continued to insult her husband. Samuel didn't utter any word. He was standing there. ** Outside, dark clouds covered the sky, cold wind blew across the street. Suddenly, after a few seconds, it started raining. Bella stood outside the house lost in her thoughts. Tears rolled down her face, she had just forty-eight hours left to save Ethan.