The Deal With The Alpha

Chapter 4: The Ultimate Sacrifice

I didn’t stop running until I hit the street outside the Azure Heights Hotel. My lungs burned and my legs ached, but the sting of Kilian Judge’s cold offer was a sharper pain. Five billion dollars to own me. The audacity was sickening, yet the thought of Richard dying was worse. Had I been foolish to cling to my pride?

I headed straight to the hospital, thinking and crying at the same time. The arrogant refusal still rang in my ears, but now, all I felt was overwhelming shame at my selfishness.

Actually, my dignity meant nothing if Richard wasn’t breathing.

I burst through the hospital’s main doors, heading straight for Richard's ward. But as I rounded the corner, a sight that turned my blood to ice stopped me instantly: chaos. Nurses and doctors in scrubs were rushing in and out of his room, their faces grim and set. The frantic beep-beep-beep of a code monitor was ringing down the hall.

“Richard!” I cried out, surging forward.

A huge male nurse immediately blocked my path. “Ma’am, you can’t go in. It’s an emergency. Please wait outside.” His voice was firm but not unkind. I pushed against his arm, tears blurring my vision.

“That’s my family! I have to see him!” I begged, my voice cracking. I slumped against the wall, clutching my chest as the terrible sounds of the emergency unfolded inside. I could only watch the flurry of action, praying with a fervor I hadn't known I possessed.

The ordeal lasted for what felt like an eternity. Finally, the chaotic activity slowed. The huge nurse allowed me into the room, and there he was. Richard was lying on the bed, although he looks so calm and peaceful, he seems lifeless. My heart aches so bad at the sight of him.

Dr. Chen called out to me, looking exhausted and grave. My heart plummeted; I knew the news would be bad.

“Dr. Chen, is he alright? What happened?” I rushed up to him, grabbing his arm.

He sighed heavily, pulling me away from the room. “We stabilized him, Amber. But this episode was severe. Richard’s heart is simply too weak to hold out any longer.”

He avoided my eyes as he delivered the crushing blow. “Even with the immediate funds, the chances are slim, but without the surgery now… he has less than twenty-four hours.”

The world dissolved into a ringing silence. Twenty-four hours. My refusal of Kilian’s money had just signed Richard’s death warrant. The realization hit me with the force of a physical punch, knocking the last of my courage away. All the pride, all the fury, it was worthless.

“There must be something! Another medicine? Another doctor?” My voice was raw, pleading for a miracle.

Dr. Chen placed a sympathetic hand on my shoulder. “I wish there were, Amber. But the time for wishing is over. You need to secure those funds now if you have any hope at all.” He looked at me, his gaze full of profound sadness.

I stumbled back, shaking my head violently. Richard was going to die because I couldn't swallow my pride for twenty minutes. The five billion dollars suddenly felt less like an insult and more like a cruel, twisted lifeline.

As I walked out of the hospital, I didn't bother going back to my apartment. I didn't care about myself. All that mattered was getting back to that arrogant Alpha before the clock ran out. I found a dirty street corner and used my last few dollars to hail a taxi back to Azure Heights.

It was nearing 2:00 AM when I stood before the door of Suite 1802 again. My hair was disheveled, my eyes were swollen from crying, and I felt utterly and completely defeated. My hand trembled as I lifted it to knock.

This time, the door opened almost immediately, revealing a calm and unsurprised Drake Wellington. "Miss Smith," he acknowledged, his face showing no reaction to my distress. He stepped aside, allowing me to enter.

Kilian was no longer standing; he was seated at his desk, reviewing documents. He glanced up, his piercing blue eyes devoid of judgment or surprise, just cold, detached expectation. He had known I would return.

I walked directly to his desk, all my pride stripped away. I looked at the contract lying there, then up at his unforgiving face. My voice was a choked whisper, raw with tears and surrender.

“I’ll do it,” I whispered. “I will sign the contract.”

Kilian slowly leaned back in his leather chair, watching me with calculating patience. “The contract is for one calendar year, Amber. Do you understand the terms? My life, my schedule, my rules.”

I nodded, the tears finally starting to fall, hot and humiliating, it flowed down my cheeks. “I understand. But you have to move fast. He has less than twenty-four hours, Alpha. You have to save Richard now.”

Kilian reached into a drawer and pulled out a fountain pen. He slid the contract toward me, the leather cool beneath my fingertips. His face remained expressionless, but a faint, almost imperceptible gleam entered his eye.

“Very well, Amber,” he said, his voice flat. “Sign. And Richard will live.”

I picked up the pen, my hand shaking violently. My name was about to be affixed to a document that would sell my freedom for a life I cherished. I quickly scrawled my name, Amber Smith, across the bottom line. It was a trade: my life for Richard’s. I had chosen.

Kilian immediately took the signed contract, handing it to Drake. “Get the funds transferred immediately, Drake. Full five million. And inform Dr. Chen that the procedure is authorized. Do not waste another second.”

He looked back at me, finally allowing a small, cold, victorious smile to touch his lips. “Welcome to the family, Amber. You are mine now.”

“I need confirmation from the doctor,” I insisted. I wouldn't trust this arrogant man until I heard it from Dr. Chen himself.

Kilian leaned forward on the desk, his expression unreadable. “You signed, Amber. The funds are already in transit. Drake will follow you to the hospital to ensure Dr. Chen begins the procedure immediately.” He stood up, his height dominating the room. “Your part of the bargain begins now.”

“My part?” I asked, my blood running cold.