Chapter 18 The Price
+25 BONUS
Chapter 18 The Price
Mia’s POV
The surgery seemed endless. Each tick of the hospital clock echoed through my bones, marking hours that felt like centuries. I’d been here since morning, pacing the sterile hallways, my prayers growing more desperate with each passing hour.
“Please,” I whispered, my fingers wrapped tight around the small cross pendant Mom had given me years ago. “I’ll do anything. Just let her live.”
The fluorescent lights cast everything in a harsh, unforgiving glare. Or maybe that was just my exhaustion. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d truly slept. Not since losing the babies. Not since everything fell apart.
“Mrs. Branson?”
The doctor’s voice made my heart stop. I searched his face for any hint of hope, but his expression remained carefully neutral.
“How is she?” The words barely made it past my dry throat.
でき
“The surgery is complete,” he began, his tone measured. “We’ve managed to stabilize your mother’s condition… temporarily.”
That last word hit like a physical blow.
“Her current physiological indicators are concerning,” he continued, gesturing to his charts. “The readings are fluctuating in ways we don’t like to see. We strongly recommend bringing in a neurological specialist.”
“But she’ll recover?” I hated how small my voice sounded.
He hesitated – just for a moment, but long enough. “The prognosis… isn’t optimistic. She’ll need constant monitoring, intensive treatment. The next forty–eight hours are critical.”
The world tilted beneath my feet. Not optimistic. The words echoed in my head like a death sentence.
“Can I see her?”
–
He nodded, leading me to her room. The sight of her so pale, so still against the white sheets – shattered something inside me. Tubes and wires surrounded her like a web, each one keeping her tethered to life by the thinnest of threads.
“Mom,” I whispered, stumbling to her bedside. My legs gave out, and I would have fallen if strong arms hadn’t caught me.
Kyle. He must have arrived while I was talking to the doctor. His presence, usually so intimidating, felt like an anchor in the storm of my despair.
“She’s so pale,” I choked out, turning to bury my face in his chest. All our fights, all my anger – none of it mattered now. I needed him. Needed his strength, his resources, his power.
His arms tightened around me, and for a moment, I let myself believe it was comfort rather than obligation that motivated him.
“Kyle,” I whispered against his shirt, my pride crumbling with each word, “please… help her.”
“The best specialists are already being contacted.”
“I can’t lose her.” The tears came then, hot and desperate. “She’s all I have left.”
His hand stroked my hair, the gesture automatic, probably meaningless. But I leaned into it anyway, starved for any comfort he would give.
Desperation clawed at my throat. I tilted my face up to his, pressing my lips against his in a kiss that tasted of tears and
surrender.
“Please,” I breathed against his mouth. “I’ll be good. I’ll be whatever you want. Just save her.”
His hands settled on my waist, neither pulling me closer nor pushing me away. “Mia…”
1/2
Chapter 18 The Price
+25 BONUS
“I know I’m just a contract to you.” The words burned coming out but I forced them past my lips. “I know you don’t… that you can’t…” I swallowed hard. “But I’ll make it worth your while. These next two years, I’ll be perfect. Whatever you want, whenever you want it.”
The monitors beeped steadily, counting out the moments of my humiliation. But I didn’t care. Couldn’t care. Not when Mom’s life hung in the balance.
“I’ll be your perfect wife,” I promised, fingers clutching his expensive shirt. “No more arguments. No more resistance. Just… please. Save her.”
His phone buzzed – Taylor’s ringtone. Even now, she was there between us. But for once, I didn’t feel bitter. What right did I have to feel anything? I was nothing but a transaction now. A deal, just like he’d always said.
“Whatever you need,” I whispered, stepping back. “Whatever it costs. I’m yours.”
He stared at me for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then he pulled out his phone, but instead of answering Taylor’s call, he dialed another number.
“Get me Dr. Weber from Johns Hopkins,” he said, his voice crisp with authority. “Whatever it costs. And arrange for a private medical suite. The best equipment, the best staff.” A pause. “No, money isn’t an issue.”
Relief made my knees weak. I sank into the chair beside Mom’s bed, clutching her hand like a lifeline.
“Thank you,” I whispered when he ended the call.
He moved to the door, pausing with his hand on the knob. “Get some rest. Linda will handle the arrangements.”
After he left, I looked at my reflection in the darkened window. I barely recognized myself.
“I’m sorry, Mom,” I whispered to her still form. “I know you wanted better for me. Wanted me to be strong. But I can’t lose you. Not after the babies. Not after everything.”
I could do this. Could be Kyle’s perfect wife. His corporate asset. His convenient arrangement.
After all, wasn’t that what love was? Sacrificing everything for the people who mattered?
Even if those people couldn’t – wouldn’t ever love you back.
