Chapter One - B
1428 Words
CHAPTER 1-B — The Beginning of the Price
The rain had not stopped.
It fell in heavy sheets.
It covered the city.
It made everything gray.
Even the air felt heavy.
Cold. Wet. Hard.
Elena walked slowly.
Her shoes were soaked.
Her coat stuck to her skin.
Her hair was wet.
Her fingers were stiff from the cold.
Her mother lay in the hospital bed.
So small. So fragile.
Her breathing was slow.
Every rise and fall of her chest made Elena’s heart ache.
Elena sat beside her.
She held her mother’s hand.
It was thin.
Too thin.
Like it might break.
She whispered softly:
“I’m here, Mom. I won’t leave you.”
Her mother’s eyelids fluttered.
But she did not wake.
A nurse came in.
She looked tired.
Her eyes held the weight of the world.
“Elena,” the nurse said softly.
“The doctor wants to speak with you.”
Elena’s heart dropped.
She did not want to leave her mother’s side.
But she knew she had to.
She followed the nurse down the hallway.
Each step felt heavy.
Her shoes made soft sounds on the floor.
Machines beeped in the distance.
The air smelled like antiseptic and fear.
The doctor waited near the doorway.
He was kind.
But kind did not make the news easier.
“Elena,” he said gently, “we have your mother’s test results.”
Elena swallowed hard.
Her fingers twisted together.
Her heart beat too fast.
“There has been a decline,” the doctor continued.
“Her condition is worsening. Faster now.”
Elena felt her chest squeeze.
She pressed a hand to her mouth.
She could not speak.
“She needs treatment. Soon. Or…”
The doctor did not finish the sentence.
He did not need to.
Elena’s eyes filled with tears.
“I… I understand. How much will it cost?”
The doctor hesitated.
That pause hurt more than words.
“Elena… the treatment, medication, everything… about eighty thousand.”
Eighty thousand.
The words sounded like thunder.
Like stones falling on her chest.
Her knees felt weak.
“I… I don’t have it,” she whispered.
“I sold everything. Our house. Mom’s jewelry. My school things…”
The doctor placed a hand gently on her shoulder.
“We see how hard you’ve tried,” he said.
Elena pressed her hand to her mouth again.
She felt the fear crawl over her chest.
It made her shiver.
The nurse led her back to the room.
She held her mother’s hand again.
Tears fell quietly at first.
Then faster.
“I don’t know what to do,” Elena whispered.
“Mom… I don’t know what to do…”
Her mother could not answer.
Could not speak.
Could not comfort her.
Later, Elena stepped into the hallway.
She needed air.
Water. Anything to hold onto.
A familiar voice called her name.
“Elena?”
She turned.
It was Mrs. Rowan.
A family friend.
A kind woman.
She had always helped Elena’s family.
“Elena… what’s wrong?”
Elena shook her head.
Tears spilled again.
She could not stop them.
Mrs. Rowan wrapped her in a gentle hug.
No words. Just warmth.
Just presence.
After a moment, she spoke softly.
Like a secret.
Like something heavy.
“There is someone who can help you.”
Elena looked up.
Her voice caught.
“Who?”
“Alexander Blackwood.”
The name sounded like a story.
Far away. Untouchable.
“The billionaire?” she whispered.
Mrs. Rowan nodded.
“He can help. But… he never gives without asking something in return.”
Elena shook her head quickly.
“I don’t want debts. I don’t want to owe anyone like him.”
Mrs. Rowan’s eyes were sad.
“I know, child. Sometimes life does not give good choices. Only hard ones.”
Elena looked back at her mother.
The woman she loved more than anything.
More than pride.
More than fear.
“What will he want?” she asked softly.
Mrs. Rowan hesitated.
“I… don’t know,” she said.
That was worse than any answer.
Elena’s voice was small.
“Please… help me contact him.”
That evening, Elena stood outside a tall glass building.
It scraped the sky.
Cold. Shimmering.
The Blackwood Corporation.
She felt small.
Out of place.
Her jacket worn.
Her shoes scuffed.
She took a deep breath.
Then stepped inside.
The lobby was silent.
Elegant. Intimidating.
Her shoes clicked softly on the marble floor.
The receptionist stared.
Her eyes said: “You don’t belong here.”
“I… I need to speak with Alexander Blackwood,” Elena said.
The receptionist raised an eyebrow.
“Do you have an appointment?”
“No.”
“Then you may leave.”
Elena’s heart sank.
She was about to turn.
Then a man appeared.
Tall.
Dark suit.
Powerful presence.
People moved aside as he walked.
Elena knew.
She just knew.
Alexander Blackwood.
Her legs felt weak.
Her hands trembled.
Her voice found courage anyway.
“Please… Mr. Blackwood!”
He stopped. Slowly.
His eyes cold. Calm. Dangerous.
“Yes?” His voice was low.
Smooth.
Cutting.
“My mother… she is dying,” Elena said.
Her voice thin.
Frail.
“I need help. I was told you could help.”
He studied her.
Not with kindness.
With calculation.
“And what,” he asked quietly, “will you offer in return?”
Elena’s throat tightened.
“I… I have nothing.”
A long silence followed.
Then his voice came again.
Soft. Sharp.
“That is not true.”
He stepped closer.
“You have something,” he said.
She swallowed.
“What?”
His eyes held hers.
Cold. Unblinking.
“Your life.”
The rain outside fell harder.
Like the sky wept for her.
Elena’s mind spun.
Her chest felt heavy.
Her fingers trembled.
Her heart pounded like a drum.
She wanted to scream.
To run.
To hide.
But she stayed.
Because she loved her mother.
Because she had no choice.
“I… I’ll do it,” she whispered.
His eyes were sharp.
Calm.
Final.
“Very well,” he said.
Something invisible shifted.
Something binding.
Something cold.
“You will begin tomorrow,” he said.
“Your life is mine from now on.”
Elena felt her stomach twist.
Her knees went weak.
Her hands clutched the wet scarf of her mother.
The rain outside fell softly again.
Slow. Gentle. Sad.
She did not cry.
Not yet.
But inside, she felt something break.
Quietly.
Slowly.
Irrevocably.
The next morning came.
Elena packed a small bag.
Clothes.
Toiletries.
Her mother’s scarf.
Her heart.
She stepped outside.
The air was cool.
The streets smelled of wet asphalt.
Of rain.
Of the world moving on, while she paused.
A car waited.
Silent. Black.
Like it had swallowed the city.
She got in.
The leather smelled cold.
Unfamiliar.
The engine purred softly.
The car drove away.
Buildings passed.
She watched silently.
Her hands fidgeted in her lap.
Her thoughts swirled.
One year.
My life is gone.
But she will live.
Tears came again.
Quiet.
Soft.
Slow.
She pressed her mother’s scarf to her face.
Breathed in her scent.
Clutched it like a lifeline.
The Blackwood Estate appeared.
Huge.
Cold.
Silent.
Intimidating.
She stepped out.
The gates opened slowly.
Like they were judging her.
A maid led her inside.
The floors gleamed.
The walls stretched high.
Her footsteps echoed.
Her heartbeat echoed louder.
Finally, they reached her room.
It was enormous.
Bigger than her whole apartment.
Bed soft.
Curtains long.
Desk, closet, everything perfect.
But it was empty.
Cold.
Not hers.
Not home.
The maid left.
The door closed.
Alone.
Her body shook.
Her heart ached.
Tears fell quietly.
The scarf in her hands smelled like home.
Like love.
Like safety.
She whispered:
“Mom… I hope this saves you.
I hope I survive this too.”
A knock came at the door.
Her breath stopped.
Her hands shook.
Alexander Blackwood entered.
Tall. Cold. Sharp.
Every step he took filled the room.
“Your mother’s treatment has begun,” he said.
Elena’s lips trembled.
“Thank… you,” she whispered.
He did not move closer.
Did not smile.
“Rules,” he said.
“You will learn them.”
She nodded.
Yes.
He stepped closer.
“You live here now,” he said.
Her stomach twisted.
Her throat burned.
“Yes,” she whispered.
He left.
The door clicked.
Alone.
Elena hugged her knees.
Pressed the scarf to her face.
Tears fell softly.
Slowly.
Her life had changed.
Forever.
End of Chapter One-B
- Writer
