His ruin

Desperate measures

Honking sounds filled the air as I hurried across the traffic light, cars blaring their horns at me.In front of me stood the gigantic DBS Real Estate building.

My mouth fell open as I stared at the towering structure. Workers dressed in expensive suits streamed through the glass doors, looking like they belonged in a completely different world from mine.

The sight instantly reminded me of yesterday's visit to the hospital.

"Charlotte is suffering from leukemia. Most cancers are staged based on the size and spread of tumors, and Charlotte has a very rare case for her age, chronic lymphocytic leukemia."

The doctor's voice remained calm and professional, but every word felt like a knife twisting deeper into my chest.

"It has already spread to her liver, bone marrow, and blood. If left untreated, it could spread even further."

I gripped the armrest of my chair.

"The good news is that we can start chemotherapy as soon as possible. We'll do everything we can to destroy the cancerous cells and relieve some of her symptoms."

I nodded weakly.

But then came the part I had been dreading.

"I would like to start treatment immediately," the doctor continued. "But we need to discuss the financial aspect. Do you have insurance? Medicare? Any form of medical coverage?"

I slowly shook my head.

"Anything at all that could help cover expenses?” Again, I shook my head.

The doctor sighed softly before offering me a sympathetic smile.

My head began to spin. If I thought I was drowning in debt before, I was surely buried beneath it now.

"We won't deny your sister treatment, Miss Gerald," she assured me. "We'll continue doing everything we can for her, just as we have for the last four years since you first brought her here."

Her expression softened.

"But the bills will accumulate very quickly. Cancer treatment isn't cheap, and unfortunately, you're already familiar with that." A tear escaped before I could stop it.

But I quickly wiped it away.

"Yeah," I whispered.

The look of pity returned to her face.

"I'll be back shortly."

The second she left the room, nausea twisted violently in my stomach.

The smell of disinfectant and medicine didn't help.

I hated hospitals.

Yet somehow, I always found myself back in one.

I grabbed my bag and rushed outside.

Cool air hit my face immediately.

Rain poured from the dark sky as I pulled out my umbrella and wandered down the pavement, lost in thought.

Then it finally hit me.

The card !

Damien’s card!!.

I shook myself free from the memory as I approached the entrance of the firm.

Circumstances have a way of making people seek help from the devil himself.

"Sorry, ma'am."

A security guard stepped in front of me.

"This entrance is reserved for employees and clients."

His eyes traveled from my worn out shoes to my wrinkled clothes.

I followed his gaze.

I was still wearing yesterday's outfit.

Definitely not the kind of clothing people wear to a place like this.

I nodded and stepped back in understanding.

"But you can use the rear entrance," he offered.

Relief washed over me. "Thank you."

"This way."

He led me around the building and pointed toward a large door.

"Go straight, then take a left. It'll lead you to the main lounge and reception desk."

Before I could properly thank him, he had already returned to his post.

Taking a deep breath, I pushed open the heavy door and followed his directions.

The moment I stepped inside, I froze.

The lounge was enormous.

Polished marble floors gleamed beneath magnificent crystal chandeliers. Elegant furniture occupied every corner, and everything looked far too expensive for me to even touch.

To my right sat the reception desk.

I walked over nervously.

"Excuse me... good morning."

"Good morning. Welcome to DBS Enterprise. How may we—"

Her voice trailed off the moment she looked at me.

"Damien," but she looked at me like she hadn’t heard of such a name before, I corrected myself quickly. "I mean, Damien… Mr. Spencer asked me to come today."

Her eyebrows shot up.

"Mr. Spencer asked you to come see him today?"

"Yes."

She stared at me for a moment before speaking again.

"Do you have an appointment scheduled with him?"

"No."

"I'm sorry, ma'am, but you cannot see Mr. Spencer without an appointment."

My heart sank.

"Could you call him? Just tell him Emilia is here."

"I'm afraid I can't do that."

"You have to trust me. We spoke yesterday, and he specifically told me to come."

"If that's all, ma'am, I have other matters to attend to."

Refusing to give up, I quickly pulled out my phone and dialed Damien's number.

Straight to voicemail.

My chest tightened.

"f**k!!."

Several heads turned.

"Ma'am," the receptionist said firmly, "I'll have to ask you to leave. You're causing a disturbance."

"Can you call him yourself? Please."

"Ma'am." She glanced toward the exit.

The message was clear.

Leave.

"Fine.” Defeated, I turned and walked away.

Outside, the security guard gave me a knowing look filled with pity.

That only made me feel worse.

"Ahhh!" I shouted in frustration.

People stared.

I didn't care.

No one should expect me to look okay when my sister was lying in a hospital bed fighting for her life.

Not wanting to return to the hospital just yet, as I wandered into the city so did my mind.

How could Damien humiliate me like this?

I genuinely thought he was being sincere for once.

I thought maybe fate had finally decided to throw me a lifeline. Instead, I had allowed myself to hope.

And that was my mistake.

I was so lost in thought that I didn't notice the person walking directly toward me.

Before I could react, I slammed into a solid chest.

My coffee flew from my hand.

"Ouch! Watch where you’re going, b***h. ”

“I’m so sorry, I wasn’t paying attention.” I dipped my hands in my bag, bringing out my handkerchief and dapping it on her now soiled clothes.

“You must really be going through a b***h then,” I looked up and our eyes met.

“Chelsea???”

“Oh my God Emilia!!” she screamed.