From Single Mom To CEO'S Bride

A Leap Of Faith

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ROSE POV

I felt like my world had been shattered into a million pieces as I walked out of the doctor's office, clutching the diagnosis report in my trembling hands.

Meningitis. The word echoed in my mind like a cruel mantra. My baby, my precious daughter, only 5 years old, had an inflammation of the brian.

The doctor's words kept replaying in my head:

"Expensive treatment...fortune...chance of survival..."

I couldn't breathe, couldn't think. All I could do was feel the crushing weight of desperation.

I had always been a fighter, but this was different. This was my child's life.

I would do anything, anything at all, to save her. But the cost...oh God, the cost. It was like a mountain range, insurmountable and daunting.

I thought of my savings, my allowance, but it was nothing, a mere drop in the ocean.

I needed a fortune, and I needed it yesterday. Panic set in as I scrambled to think of options.

That's when I remembered my family's old house, the one I had left years ago after my father disowned me for getting pregnant at 19.

I hadn't spoken to him since, but I had to try. I had to swallow my pride and beg for help. My mother, bless her, would do what she could, but I knew she didn't have much either.

As I arrived at the family house, a mix of emotions swirled inside me. Shame, fear, desperation. My mother opened the door, concern etched on her face.

"What's wrong, child?" she asked, but I just broke down, sobbing uncontrollably.

She ushered me in, and I told her everything. The diagnosis, the cost, my fears. She listened, tears streaming down her face, and when I finished, she took my hands in hers.

"We'll figure something out, baby. We always do."

But I knew it wouldn't be easy. My father's face appeared in my mind, his expression cold and unforgiving. Would he even help? Or would he turn me away, again?

....

ADRIAN POV

I sat in my dimly lit living room, nursing a glass of scotch as I thought about Rose and her daughter's predicament.

I couldn't shake off the feeling of responsibility. I had always been a self-centered person, but something about Rose's situation struck a chord.

Just as I was lost in thought, I heard the door burst open and Kira, my ex-girlfriend, stormed in with her suitcase.

"I'm moving in," she announced, her eyes blazing with determination.

I was taken aback. "Kira, what are you talking about? I thought we were done."

She smiled sweetly. "Oh, we're not done, darling. We're just getting started."

I sighed, feeling a headache coming on.

"Kira, listen. I appreciate the enthusiasm, but I've moved on. There's someone else in my life now."

Her expression darkened. "Who is it?"

I hesitated, not wanting to reveal too much. "Just someone I've been thinking about a lot lately."

I announced plainly.

Kira's eyes narrowed. "Your PA, isn't it? I know it's her. You're ditching me for your secretary?"

I didn't confirm or deny it, but Kira's assumption was clear.

She snatched her suitcase and stormed out, slamming the door behind her. "You'll regret this!" she shouted.

I let out a sigh of relief, but a nagging feeling told me I hadn't seen the last of her.

I decided to drive out, just to clear my head.

I feel in distress and I couldn't think straight.

But as I was driving, right on the bridge was the woman.

The only person that put me in this condition.

I picked up my phone and dialled her number but with the looks of it from afar, she's not acting normal.

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ROSE POV

For what felt like an eternity, I stood there, the bridge's railing digging into my stomach as I gazed out at the river below.

The water's surface glimmered like a sheet of molten silver in the moonlight, its tranquility a cruel mockery of the turmoil brewing inside me.

I had hit rock bottom, and the weight of my despair was crushing me. My vision blurred as tears streamed down my face, mingling with the mist that rose from the water.

I felt like I was drowning in my sorrow, unable to escape the abyss that had swallowed me whole.

My phone rang, shrill and insistent, but I was too frustrated to look. But I didn't want to talk. I just wanted to scream.

''Why me?'' I wailed, my voice echoing off the bridge's pillars.

'Why me?'

The words tumbled out in a jumbled mess.

''I'm so tired...I just want to end things...I'm not a good mother...I'll never save her...I'll kill myself...'

The words hung in the air like a challenge, a desperate cry for help. But I didn't know if anyone was listening."

I felt the railing give way beneath me, and my body began to tip forward.

The river's surface rushed up to meet me, its darkness beckoning like an eternal sleep.

But before I could take the plunge, a strong, masculine hand clamped around my wrist like a vice.

I was yanked backward, my body colliding with a hard, unyielding chest. I gasped, my lungs expelling the air I'd been holding in a silent scream.

As I looked up, my gaze met the stern, chiseled features of my grumpy boss, his eyes blazing with a fierce intensity.

Again.

He'd saved me again.

I felt a mix of emotions: shock, gratitude, and a dash of embarrassment.

How did he always manage to appear at my most vulnerable moments? And why did I feel this strange sense of safety in his presence, like he was the only one who could truly see me?

His grip on my wrist tightened, his voice low and rough.

"What were you thinking, Rose? You can't just... "

I shook my head, tears streaming down my face.

"I wasn't thinking. I just... can't do this anymore."

His expression softened, and for a moment, I saw a glimmer of understanding in his eyes.

Then, he pulled me closer, his chest warming me like a shield. "You don't have to do it alone," he whispered. "Let me help you."

"Be my bride...".

I gulped and vomited on whatever.... which chocked me up and the next thing I saw was blackout...

I'd passed out.

.....