Love Is Betrayal

5. Preparation

CHAPTER FIVE: PREPARATION

~BECCA~

I sat by my cousin, Faith’s hospital bed, holding her pale hands as I watched her breathe slowly. I didn’t realize I was crying until I tasted the salty tears that had trickled all the way down to my lips.

Faith is like a sister to me. Her mum might not have been the nicest to me but Faith treated me with respect and dignity. She loved me like her blood sister and always made sure to protect me. Faith doesn’t deserve kidney failure, anybody but her.

Her mother, Aunt Marie was seated on the other side of the bed, staring at her daughter painfully. I can imagine how hard it must be to see her only daughter in that condition.

The doctor suddenly walked in, a file in his hands.

“Good day, Miss and Mrs Morgan. Right now, Miss Faith is currently stable. She had fluid retention in her lungs, leading to shortness of breath and that’s why she passed out. Also, her blood pressure is getting very high,”

“Please,” Aunt Marie pleaded helplessly. “Do whatever it takes to save my child. She’s all I have,”

I have never seen Aunt looking so helpless and dejected before, and it broke my heart that such a horrible thing is happening to Faith and there’s nothing we can do about it.

“What she needs is a kidney transplant,” the doctor said, adjusting the glasses on his nose. “Her Kidneys are very bad and Dialysis is weakening her system. Even with your money, there’s still a long queue of patients waiting for a kidney donor,”

“Please,” I said frantically. “I’m willing to pay double, even triple the money as long as she becomes a priority on the list.”

I could see Aunt Marie stare at me in disbelief.

“Hmm,” he stroked his chin. “A lot of people keep telling me that but I’ll keep you in mind. Whoever pays the highest when there’s a new donor gets the kidney,”

“Inform me as soon as you get one and I assure you that I’ll pay immediately,”

“Of course. Excuse me,” he gave a curt nod and walked out of the room.

Aunt Marie turned sharply to face me. “And where will you see triple the money to pay for a kidney transplant?”

Suddenly, a notification came in on my phone and I clicked on it.

“Get ready. We have an event to attend tonight by 8 as a couple. Don’t be late”

I sighed as I saw the message from Tristan. I can’t believe I’ll soon be getting married to the almighty Tristan BlackWill, the man I could only see in magazines and TV.

I guess the anxiety of my broken wedding and Faith’s medical issues did not let me process the fact that I would be married to one of the most eligible bachelors in the country.

I wasn’t in the mood to show my face to anyone but I guess I had no choice but to get ready.

“I’m talking to you!” Aunt Marie’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

I stood up, adjusting my clothes. “Don’t worry about that. If a donor is found, then I will pay the money,”

With that, I walked out of the hospital room.

~~~~

I sat uncomfortably on the chair, staring at myself in the mirror. I was seated in a makeup studio as my face was glammed by one of the best makeup artists in town. I didn’t like makeup on my face. It always felt heavy and made me hot but Tristan had insisted I dress up for the party tonight so here I was.

My phone was still buzzing with texts and calls from wedding guests but I ignored all of it. What would I tell them? It’s better to ignore all of it, especially because I have a new future ahead of me.

Soon, the makeup artist was done and I gasped at what I saw in the mirror. I look astonishing. And the best part—the makeup was light weight.

“You look amazing,” the makeup artist complimented. “You literally look like art,”

“Thank you,” I flashed her a smile, admiring myself in the mirror. I’ve always been good looking but this makeup took my beauty to a whole other level.

Tristan had arranged a car to take me around all my beauty appointments. I got my hair styled, my body waxed, and went shopping for a dress with a stylist. I didn’t want all of this because I didn’t care but by the time they were done with all the glitz and glam, my mood was instantly lifted.

I settled for an emerald thigh-length dress that clung to the curves of my body like a sinful temptation. I didn’t want to wear it because I felt my legs and chest were too exposed but the stylist insisted that it was the best fit for me so I reluctantly put it on.

Just as I was trying on the dress again to make some adjustments, my phone began to buzz.

“Hey, Tristan,”

“Becca! Are you almost done?”

“Something like that,”

“Something came up so we can’t go together. The driver will pick you up so you can just call me when you get there,”

“What?” My eyes bulged out in surprise. “You want to leave me by myself in a place I don’t know,”

“Relax! I will join you immediately you get there, so don’t be agitated,”

“Fine!” I snorted and hung up the call.

As soon as I was done, I got into the car and the driver drove off to the location. I sat in the car, picking at my fingers nervously. I didn’t even know what kind of party I was going to. I forgot to ask with all the rush going on.

Soon, we got to the venue. As expected, it was classy and polished, set for the richest one percent in the city. I used to go to parties like this once in a while with Logan back then so it wasn’t too nerve racking—I guess.

I walked in with my chin held high, my strides confident. One thing I’ve learnt so far is that you have to exude an aura of confidence to attract respect. I could see a few stares along my way and a small smile formed on my lips.

That’s right!

I picked up my phone from my purse and began to call Tristan. His phone was ringing but he wasn’t picking up.

“Come on! Pick up!” I mumbled under my breath. Air suddenly ceased from my lungs as I looked ahead. Standing in front of me was Logan with Kristen’s arms clamped in his, laughing at something they were saying. I wanted to walk away but suddenly, Logan’s eyes locked with mine.