A Billionaire's Redemption

“Have you seen the news? He is everywhere. And for what?! Sleeping with numerous ladies. Is that who you want me to marry? All for what?! Money?!” Lila screamed at the top of her voice, tears rolling down her cheek. “Those are all rumors darling,” Her father said in a comforting voice. “And what would someone like him want from someone like me? What does he stand to gain? Have you asked yourself this?!” she yelled again. "Lila, can you not be selfish for once in your life?! Magnus Thompson yelled back. He was already losing his temper “Will you stop thinking about yourself alone and think about your mother! You're marrying Damien Kingston, and that's final. This isn’t some kind of suggestion, it's an order, the earlier you realize it the better for you. So quit Arguing because it won’t change a thing. You are meeting with him tomorrow by 3 pm, Eleven Madison Park and that’s final!" Lila furiously ran up the stairs as tears streamed down her face. Her father’s voice followed her up the stairs like a boomerang. She was done arguing with him, and it was obvious he wasn’t changing his mind anytime soon, so there was no point. She quickly banged her room door and snapped the lock forcefully. Her mind was racing with emotions. She leaned against the door, trying to steady her breath. "I am almost f*****g engaged," She yelled at the top of her voice “You have been almost f*****g Engaged for three years now, darling” she heard her father say from the hallway, “Admit it, baby, Richmond doesn’t have what it takes to marry you.” he continued, in a calm voice. "And Damien Kingston does?! I don’t love him, don’t my feelings matter to you? I can't marry him and you can’t force me to marry someone I don’t love. Magnus didn’t bother replying this time. Tears rolled down her eyes as she sank to the floor, pressing her knees firmly to her chest. The reality of her situation was suffocating, and she hadn’t a say in it. She lay on the cold floor hugging her knee so close to her chest. ######### Three hours later, Lila's phone beeped, jolting her awake. She couldn't believe she had slept on the floor the entire time. "Ouch..." she groaned as she stretched, placing her right hand at the back of her neck as she winced from the pain that enveloped her whole body. “Hello,” she said,still sluggishly rubbing her temple as she sat up. "Wha...what?! No! Doctor! Please… I’ll be there in a jiffy!" Her mind raced with fear as she took a cab to the hospital. On arrival, she burst through the door and walked hurriedly to the reception desk. "Where is Dr. Stevens?" she asked, her voice trembling. The receptionist looked up before replying. "He should be in his office. I'll let him know you're…." She didn't bother waiting for the receptionist to finish her sentence before walking down the hallway as soon as she got a glimpse of Dr Steve. "Dr. Stevens, please, you can't stop my mother from receiving treatment. Lila pleaded immediately, her eyes were hot from the tears boiling in them. "I just need a little more time to get the money." He sighed, his expression softening. "Ma’am, We've done all we can, even without the necessary funds. We can only keep her here till the end of the week, if by then, you are yet to come up with the remaining balance, We'll have no choice but to stop treatment." Lila nodded. "Thank you, Doctor. I will, I promise." She softly brushed her thumb across the stream of tears on her cheek as she watched him enter his office. She decided to go see her boyfriend, Richmond before heading home. She had heard enough bad news for a day she needed to cool off. ############## “Hey babe! Open up?!” she said while knocking on his door. Richmond's face brightened when he caught sight of her from the window. “You didn’t call before coming,” he said as he opened the door and gave way for her to go in. "Oh, I didn't realize I needed permission to see my favorite guy," Lila teased. Lila hugged him tightly as soon as she got in. His musky scent filled her senses. "I love you” she whispered. "I love you too," Richmond replied, as he softly brushed his index around her hairline. “Coffee? Juice?” He asked “Coffee would be great” "Alright," He concurred. He frequently stole several glances at her while making the coffee. "So, how was your day?" he finally asked. "It was good," She lied as a smile curled up her lip. "But being with you makes everything even better." Richmond squeezed her hand, grinning. "Same here, but you’ve got me curious ever since you texted. So, what's on your mind?" She took a deep breath, she had texted him earlier after the argument with her dad, that she needed to talk to him, but looking at his cute face now she didn’t think she dared to tell him what her father was plotting. “How would he take it, I can’t afford to tell him, I’ll just sort things out myself,” she thought to herself. She let out a faint smile before speaking “I’m just worried baby. It’s my mother! She keeps getting worse with each passing day and I feel helpless not being able to do anything. She has been on oxygen for months now, and there has been no improvement, rather the tumor in her heart keeps getting worse. She needs a heart transplant urgently, or... she won't make it." Tears rolled down her eyes freely as her voice cracked. Richmond's expression grew serious as Lila continued, "I've poured every bit of profit from my fashion house into my mom's treatment, and now the business is on the verge of bankruptcy. And very soon the bank will lock it up if I don’t pay up the loan I took. I'm trapped, Richmond. I don't know what to do, I feel helpless. And Dad can’t even help because of the issue with his leg" He held her arms firm as he heaved a helpless sigh while she continued “Now, the doctors are threatening to discharge Mom if I don’t deposit some money” Her eyes were already red from the severe flow of water that was rushing down “A day without the oxygen and she is gone”. Richmond reached to dry her cheeks, not taking his eyes away from her eyeball. He was silent for a long while, not saying a word, just admiring the beauty in front of him and everything she just said. He paused, his mind racing for a solution. "Babe, why don't we launch crowdfunding! We can share your mother's story and reach out to people for help. I know a few friends who would be moved to support us. We can also organize a charity event to raise funds. I could sell off a few of my artworks also. There has to be a way." She raised her head up, a sparkle of hope in her eyes. "Do you think we can raise enough money in time? The surgery needs to happen soon." He took her hands in his, his eyes filled with determination. "I believe we can do it, my love. We have to try." “Thank you, baby” she replied “Anything for you, my love. You know I can’t live without you, right? And I can’t bear to see you sad”