The Devil's Bargain

The smell of antiseptic clung to everything. Aria Cole hated it. She sat on the stiff plastic chair outside the ward, her fingers tightly clasped together, knuckles pale from the pressure. The ticking clock on the wall sounded louder than it should, each second dragging painfully. Her eyes were fixed on the door. Waiting and Praying. “Miss Cole?” Aria shot up so fast her chair screeched against the floor. The doctor stood in front of her, his expression serious, too serious. Her heart dropped. “How is she?” Aria asked quickly, her voice trembling despite her effort to stay calm. The doctor hesitated. “No…” she whispered, shaking her head slightly. “No, no, please don’t say it like that. She was fine this morning. She was talking to me...she...” “Miss Cole,” he interrupted gently, “Your mother’s condition has worsened.” The words hit harder than any physical blow. Aria felt it right in her chest. “She needs advanced treatment,” he continued. “Equipment we don’t have here.” Aria blinked rapidly. “Then… then transfer her. Send her somewhere else.” “We will,” the doctor said. “But...” “But what?” “The hospital capable of handling her case requires immediate payment before treatment begins.” Her voice dropped. “How much?” she asked quietly. The doctor told her. And just like that… the world went silent. The number didn’t even sound real. It was too big. Too impossible. “That’s…” Her voice cracked. “That’s not something I can just” “I understand,” he said, softer now. “But without it, we can’t proceed.” Aria shook her head, stepping back. “No. No, you don’t understand, doctor. She’s all I have.” “Miss Cole...” “I’ll get the money!” she blurted out, her voice rising. “I’ll find it. Just...just start the treatment first, please!” The doctor’s expression hardened, not unkind, but firm. “I’m sorry. We need a deposit before anything can be done.” Her chest tightened painfully. “You’re asking me to watch her die,” she whispered. “No,” he said quietly. “We’re asking you to act quickly.” Two hours later Aria stood outside the gates of a larger, more modern hospital. Glass walls. Bright lights. Expensive. Everything about it screamed what she already knew. She didn’t belong here. Inside, nurses moved efficiently. Machines beeped steadily. Everything looked advanced. Everything looked… costly. She followed the stretcher carrying her mother, her heart pounding with every step. “Please be careful,” she murmured, her voice trembling. “Please…” Her mother didn’t respond. She hadn’t for a while now. At the billing desk, Aria gripped the edge of the counter as the woman behind it spoke. “The initial deposit is required within twenty-four hours.” “Twenty-four…?” Aria echoed weakly. “Yes. Without it, treatment cannot commence.” Her vision blurred slightly. “Can’t you at least start something?” she begged. “She’s critical...she doesn’t have time to wait!” “I’m sorry,” the woman replied, her tone polite but detached. “Those are hospital policies.” Policies. Rules. Cold words that didn’t care if someone lived or died. “I’ll pay,” Aria said quickly. “I will. I just need a little time please, just begin treatment. I’ll bring the money, I swear” “Miss,” the woman cut in, “we need confirmation of payment before any procedure begins.” Aria’s hands trembled. “So… if I don’t pay,” she whispered, “you’ll just let her die?” The woman didn’t answer. She didn’t need to. Aria stumbled out of the hospital. The air hit her hard, but it didn’t help. Nothing helped. Her chest felt tight. Her head spun. Tears burned her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. Not here. Not now. “I’ll fix this,” she muttered to herself. “I’ll find a way. I have to.” But how? Who would give her that kind of money? Who would even listen? Her thoughts spiraled, faster and faster, until... Thud. She collided with someone. Strong. Solid. The impact nearly knocked her off balance. “Watch where you’re...” “Sorry,” she blurted out quickly, barely looking up. She didn’t wait for a response. Didn’t care who it was. She just kept moving faster, like if she stopped, everything would collapse. Behind her, Lucian Blackwood stood still. His brows slightly furrowed. He glanced down at the faint crease now visible on his suit where she had collided with him. Then his gaze lifted. Following her retreating figure. Disheveled. Distracted. Desperate. Inside the hospital The air felt heavier on the private floor. More controlled, more quiet. Lucian stepped into the room without knocking. His mother turned immediately. “Lucian.” Her voice was strained and tired. He didn’t respond right away. His gaze shifted to the man lying on the bed. His father. Machines surrounded him. The steady beep of the monitor was the only thing confirming he was still alive. Barely. “He doesn’t have much time,” his mother said softly. Lucian’s jaw tightened. “Then the doctors should do their job.” “It’s not that simple,” she replied. He turned to her. “It is never with you.” Her expression hardened slightly, but there was desperation beneath it. “You know what this means,” she said. He didn’t answer. “If your father dies without you being married,” she continued, “everything goes to your stepbrother.” The words hung in the air. “Our enemies are waiting for that,” she added. “They’ll tear everything apart.” Lucian’s eyes darkened. “I’ll handle it.” “You can’t handle this alone!” she snapped. “This isn’t business. This is inheritance law. You need a wife now.” He was silent. “I don’t do marriage,” he said finally. “You don’t have a choice, boy.” Her voice softened. For the first time She sounded afraid. “Lucian… if you lose this, we lose everything.” He looked away. His mind was already working. Calculating options. Then, a face flashed in his mind. A girl. Tear-filled eyes. Shaky breath. Desperation written all over her. The one who ran into him earlier. His gaze sharpened slightly. Outside, Aria stopped walking. Her legs felt weak. Her chest tight. Twenty-four hours. That was all she had. Twenty-four hours to save her mother’s life. Or lose her forever. Her hands clenched into fists. “I’ll do anything,” she whispered. Anything. Back inside, Lucian reached for his phone. His decision made. He snapped his fingers. “Find her,” he said coldly. He paused. “The girl from earlier.” "Get her for me."