CONTRACT OF FATE

Elena's POV How did I get myself into this? I stared at the file in my hand, my fingers trembling as I held the pen about to sign a contract stating that I, Elena Carter agree to a three year marriage with this man, Alexander Sterling. Alexander sat across the table eyeing me with an unreadable expression waiting for me to sign it. Three years of my life. Three years as his wife. How did it come to this? My mind flashed back to the moment everything changed. A week ago… The scent of the bleach enveloped my nose. as I scrubbed the marble floors of the estate I was assigned to clean this morning. All these for a worthless pay and the rich people hardly gave tips to appreciate my effort. Oh well! I had to do it to support my mom's medical bills and my brother. My phone buzzed in my pocket, I quickly cleaned my hand on my apron and picked the call. “Elena..” The weak voice on the other end immediately made me tense and worried. It was my mother. “Mum, Is everything okay?.I asked “Come to the hospital…now” Before she ended the call I heard shouting. I didn't even think twice. I removed my apron and gloves, grabbed my bag and quickly left in a hurry not listening to my supervisor’s call. Another pay lost, but my mum's call was more important On getting to the hospital, St Vincent's Hospital. My mum has been receiving treatment from this hospital for as long as I can remember. Ever since she was diagnosed with Hemolytic Anemia, a rare blood disorder. I signed in and made my way to her room. I heard shouting as I was close to her door. I got to her room, my mother's weak frame lying on the bed as an elderly woman dressed in a long gown with black wavy hair was shouting at my mother. “You can't be shouting at a Patient like that.” I interrupted. “Elena..dear” My mum called to me. “You must be the daughter, You have not paid for the treatment for two months now. We allowed you but no more! Your mother will be discharged until you make payment.” she stated coldly “You can't just throw my mother out, she needs treatment..” The administrator scoffed“This is not a charity place, Mrs Carter so no payment, no treatment” I was about to snap at her when Doctor Owens, my mum's long time doctor who has been prescribing drugs and treatment for her came. “Elena, I understand you but it's strictly the hospital's policies so we can't continue treatment on your mother, I'm sorry” He calmly told me. The nurses and a few select patient guardians were watching us at this point. The Administrator walked off telling the nurses to get back to work. My mum squeezed my hand, and I looked at her “It's okay Elena” My mum said with her sweet voice as she offered me a weak smile. I smiled at her back but deep down It wasn't okay. They treated my mother like a charity case, a financial burden and it hurt so bad. I held my tears back in as I gently helped her get up from the bed to steady her steps as we made our way out of the hospital. We got to our apartment. Our small apartment with its tattered paint which was already peeling off. The door barely stood on its own and we got inside. The inside was comfy, our sagged couch stood in the middle, with a small coffee table I got on sale. On my right was the bedroom where Ryan and my mother slept. I slept in the living room, to create enough space for them and I didn't mind. The kitchen directly faces the sitting room that only fits one person at a time. I helped my mum on the couch, using the sheets to cover her. I needed to talk to someone. Sophie. On my way out. Ryan was just coming from school. He was in a black hoodie and worn out jeans with his bag hanging loosely on his shoulders. He was angry. Weird. “Ryan…How was school?” He ignored my question“They are not treating mum again right? Ryan asked, looking me straight in the eye with a sad look. “Ryan, it's okay. I'm going to fix this and pay for mum's treatment” I tried explaining to him. “With What..?Your good for nothing pays, you keep working everytime and still mum is dying….,” He shouted, His voice breaking on the verge of tears. His words hurt my chest “I'm trying” He scoffed “No you're not, You're just running in circles and everything happening to mum is because of you” Without another word, he stormed inside slamming the door behind him. I stood there for a moment as the words kept repeating in my head “Because of me”. Ryan blamed me for our mother's sickness and it hurt so much. A tear dropped. I can't let what he said get to me. I went over to see Sophie at the cafe she works at which was directly along my cleaning Agency. The fresh scent of nicely brewed coffee hit me as I entered the cafe. I sighted Sophie attending to a customer. I waved to her, her face lit up as she told someone to cover her shift making her way to me. “Lena!” She was so happy to see me as she hugged me. I just smiled and hugged her back. Sophie Adams has been my best friend since college. We met during a party where Sophie caused a scene throwing a blow to a guy who was trying to harass me. It was hilarious and also sweet because she didn't know me but she stood up for me. After that incident, we became best of friends. Since then Sophie has been my support system, helping in any way she can. “Are you good.?” She asked, noticing my face as she released me. “Not really, They stopped treatment on my mum and literally kicked her out then Ryan is acting up again. I finished taking a seat. “How dare they. You know what, we are going to find a better hospital to treat your mum and Ryan is just being ungrateful. Don't listen to his words, you try so hard working two jobs a day just to make ends meet. We will get through this together okay ” Sophie would go all out for me. She always made me feel better. “Thanks Sophie” I felt so much better.