Chapter Six
944 Words
Avalynn's heart kept hammering in her chest as she made her way home.
As the bus rumbled along, she felt her heart race with every passing stop. She felt as like she was being pulled in every way by the ideas that were whirling about in her head, which were a combination of feelings, anxieties, and wants. It was as if she were being pulled by invisible threads.
She leaned her forehead against the window, which was chilly, and her breath caused the glass to become foggy.
Despite the fact that the money would radically revolutionize her life, Avalynn was unable to find a way to get over the idea of marrying a complete stranger. The prospect of marrying a complete stranger was unnerving.
She found herself becoming more confused as she continued to think about it.
“Are you okay?” An old lady beside her asked, her face full of concern.
“I'm fine,” Avalynn smiled, trying to hide her conflicting emotions. “Just a little bit distracted. Thanks for asking.” She added, with a forced smile at the corner of her lips.
Seeing the old lady's attention shifted, she breathed a sigh of relief and tried to bring herself out of the thoughts that threatened to consume her.
That's it. She simply can't. There's no way she'd marry a stranger.
The bus groaned to a halt at Ava's bus stop, the doors hissing open once again.
Avalynn alighted and dragged herself up the path to her house, her steps leaden and her head bowed. With every step, she felt the weight of her troubles increasing, like an anchor dragging her down.
The ultimatum that had been issued to her for a period of one week was nearly gone as well. It is possible that she will wind up marrying Liam Arstor, a man for whom she does not feel even the slightest bit of affection, and who is also crippled, if she does not take action to prevent this from happening.
It wasn't like she had emotions for Jace, but she did find herself sort of drawn to him. Most importantly, he is wealthy, and one million dollars is a massive amount of money. At least she would be able to benefit in some way from the marriage.
In addition, it is just for a year, which means that she has the opportunity to establish herself and begin living the life of her dreams with her father.
She halted for a moment. Let's do this. She thought to herself.. it's just for a year anyway.
She retrieved his business card from the bag that was handing round her shoulders and then picked up her purse. She gazed at it for a few minutes. Should she call him?
She opened her bag again and took out her phone. She was about to enter the number when the unexpected jangling sound of her phone shocked her out of her deep thoughts.
Ring! Ring!
She quickly turned to view the caller, her pulse raced as she realized that it was Dr. Raymond from the hospital his dad was taken to.
Sitting up swiftly with shaky hands, she took it up and placed it to her ear.
“Miss Ivy, it's Dr. Raymond from St. Joe’s Hospital. Your father's health has worsened” the voice said direly. “We need you here”.
Her father's health worsened? Her thoughts raced with a combination of terror, despair, and desperation.
Her legs trembled below as her thoughts raced. Dad please don't do this to me..she thought within herself.
Tears flooded her eyes, blinding her vision as she retraced her steps, running back to the bus stop.
No, no, dad.
****** At the hospital
Avalynn frowned sadly, “Doctor, what do you mean the heart transplant couldn't go through? I thought… I thought you said you had everything under control and my father would be well again?”
"Yes, Miss Avalynn, I did said that. We ought to have done the surgery and finalized everything by now, in fact," Doctor Wellington adjusted his spectacles and then continued.
“However, we perform testing to ensure that the organ or donor is safe to use and in good health before performing a transplant. We evaluated the heart we obtained for free for your father, but tragically we found it wasn't in excellent shape and had formerly belonged to a smoker, so we were unable to use it. We are already making plans for a nicer one, but you'll be accountable for the bill this time.”
Ava's heart raced, and for a second, she worried it might stop beating completely. The cost of a heart transplant would be enormous, and she couldn't possibly afford it. She felt the room whirling around her, her breath coming in short, weak gasps.
"Doctor, how much are we discussing here?" She questioned anxiously.
Doctor Wellington smiled encouragingly at her and took a deep breath.
"I would estimate that it would be around just $6 million."
Avalynn's heart skipped. $6 million?? The doctor referred to $6million as just??
All she had in her savings account was merely $2million. She could feel the tears already welling up in her eyes.
“Doctor please, is there no other way?” She asked admist tears. "Please save my dad.. I..I cannot afford to lose him now"
"I'm sorry, but that is the only way forward," the doctor remarked, his voice empathetic. "And time is of the essence. Your father's health is worsening fast, and we don't have much time to spare."
Once again, time stopped for Ava as she felt her world spinning around her.
- Writer
