Nora's standpoint.

I sat in the hospital's waiting room, though the scent of blood, drugs, and antiseptic filled the air, my nose almost didn't sniff it. My head was buried in my hands and with a deep huff, I squeezed my eyes shut for a moment.

“What are you still doing here?” A familiar voice cut through my thoughts and I lifted my head to see my mom.

Though we weren't rich, we lived comfortably. But seeing her in this ragged gown, her messy hair tied up in a bun and her face wrinkled over the few weeks, though she tried to mask it behind her beautiful smile, made my heart ache.

Tiny tears lurked in my eyes and I blinked quickly to fight them off. I can't be weak in her presence. I'm the only hope she has left.

“Where would I be?” I teased softly with pouted lips as I rose to my feet, my eyes landing on the nylon she held.

“You should go rest, your shift starts in a few hours. You shouldn't look tired from work.” Her soft voice, which once warmed my heart, almost didn't have an effect anymore.

Seeing how broken she is and how helpless I am was just too much for me to bear.

“Of course, I'm not tired.” I grabbed the bag from her and headed toward the ward where my dad was being treated.

Since he was diagnosed with cancer about a month ago, we had almost spent everything we had. All that was left was my inheritance, which I was already processing for his treatment.

Once I get the money, he will be fine and everything will be back to normal. I thought, forcing a smile on my face as I held his hand, patting it gently.

My mom walked in, grabbed the bag from me and with her posterior faced at me, she said, “You should go home now if you would rather not be scolded again. I don't want you to lose your job because of us.” Her voice cracked as she spoke, which was an obvious reason she couldn't look at me.

“Hmm,” I nodded, moved closer to her and placed a kiss on her cheek before leaving the ward.

I hurried out of the hospital, down to my small apartment. Apart from the inheritance, it was the only thing I had in my name.

A few minutes later, I stood in front of Elysian Capital Group, where I work as the Financial Analyst. Taking a deep breath with a forced smile smeared on my face, I walked into the company, heading to my desk when a voice called me.

“Nora…” It sounded worrisome, causing me to swiftly turn, and I saw Vivianne, my best friend.

“Hi. Is something wrong?” I asked, trying to keep the smile on my face. It was the only thing blocking off the worries that clouded my mind.

“The manager wants to see you.” Her voice trembled slightly, and her eyes flickered as though she was trying to tell me something.

I nodded, dropped my bag on the table and made my way to Mr. Liam's office.

As I stepped into the immaculate office, furnished with luxury chairs and the color of the blind matching the office, my eyes settled on him. His face was void of a smile, but it was normal for him.

“What the hell did you do, Nora? Are you trying to get me fired?” His voice roared with rage as he slammed his fist against the table, causing me to blink and stumble slightly, startled as fear clutched at my heart.

He rose to his feet, his face marred with rage, while my eyes flickered in confusion at what he said.

“W-What do you mean, sir?” I stuttered while I stood straight again.

“Meet me in the conference room,” he barked and walked out of the office.

I hurriedly followed behind him. When I saw the whole staff in the conference room, along with a stranger, I instantly knew something was wrong.

I got a glimpse of Vivianne, whose smile didn't reach her face. I was about to sit when the strange lady came at me and slapped me hard across the face.

“You have the guts to look this calm? After all you've done?” She uttered, her voice raised.

Holding my hand up to my cheek, I looked at her, confused.

“Who are you, ma'am? And what are you talking about?” I asked, my voice steady and firm despite the rage stirring in me.

If this were an opportunity, I would have vented my frustration on her.

“Oh,” she scoffed, taking a step away and flung her long hair behind her shoulder before looking at me. “How dare you talk to me as if you don't know me? You promised I would get the loan if I gave you a 'considerable token'. You took the bribe yet, my loan request was cancelled.” She ranted, about to throw another fit of rage, which I dodged.

My lips spread to speak but as I looked over the faces that laughed with me every day, their looks betraying all we ever shared, the words caught in my throat. The lady landed another slap on my cheek, shaking me out of my thoughts.

“I-I don't even know this lady. I've never seen her before.” My lips trembled when I found my voice.

Liam, without uttering a word, pressed on a recorder tape on the table.

“… a considerable token can speed things up and get you the loan…” The voice grinned.

No… It was my voice. My ears listened to words I never uttered.

“No, that's not me. I would never take a bribe, I've been with this company for five years, and you know I would never do that.” My voice came as a desperate plea with my gaze locked with Liam's, but there was nothing, just coldness in his eyes.

He turned to Vivianne.

“You're her Junior Financial Analyst. What do you know about this?” Liam questioned, and a deep breath of relief surged through my lips, knowing she would come through for me.

It wasn't like I committed a crime.

Vivianne's eyes flickered with pity for a moment before flashing with a serious look.

“Despite my warnings to her to stop the embezzlement, Nora was just too greedy.” She said with her voice steady and her face cold.

I looked at her with my chin dropped in disbelief. It was as though I misheard.

“That mean she really did take a bribe from this lady?” Liam questioned again, which Vivianne nodded to.

“She has been exchanging email messages with the client also.” She added, not sparing a glance.

“Do you have proof?”

She grabbed a file in front of her and handed it to Liam, who swiftly went through it. His face turned red with each page he flipped.

He turned to me with a line between his brows.

“You're dismissed for embezzlement, Nora. If you're found within the company in the next ten minutes, the consequence is yours to bear.” The way he spat my name like a curse made my brows twitch.

“You can't fire me.” I stood my ground, though I felt the tears creeping into my voice.

He rose, “I just did!” He snapped, throwing the papers at me.

I fell to the floor and grabbed the paper, my eyes blurred with tears as I looked through it.

The staff, including the client, walked out one after the other while Vivianne hesitated. With my eyes on her red-hot heels, I looked up and rose to my feet, wiping off the tears with the back of my hand.

“Why did you say that? You know I didn't do any of it.”

I wanted to yell at her, but I was too weak… No, too angry.

She leaned in with a sly smile that never left her face.

“Financial Analyst Vivianne… That would suit me well.”

Nora's standpoint.

I dragged my feet back to the hospital after dropping my things at my apartment. Though I didn't know how I would face my mom, I knew I had to be there with her.

This was her worst fear and if she knows, she will probably blame herself.

I stepped into the ward and found her sleeping next to my dad, a smile crept up my lips, seeing how happy they looked together.

Memories of how they laughed, argued and loved each other flooded my mind, bringing tears to my eyes as I stood glued in the spot.

“Miss. Andrew?” A voice called and when I turned, it was the doctor. “Do you mind if I come in?” He forced a smile, but I could see through it.

Something was wrong… Hell no! Something has been wrong, it's probably worse now.

“Is there anything wrong?” I asked curiously with a straight look that etched my face.

He let out a deep sigh, “I think it's better if I talk to your mom,” He concluded.

My eyes glanced at my mom who was sleeping perfectly sound for the first time in weeks, I guess it's because she got to sleep next to him. He had been in a coma and on oxygen until two days ago.

"Let's talk outside,”I gestured, not wanting to disturb her sleep.

We stepped out of the ward and I turned to him after taking some steps away from the ward.

“What is it, Mr. Smith?” I asked with worry etched in my voice, his worried look fueling my fear.

“His condition is worsening, we need to act fast.” He uttered after hesitation for a few seconds.

My brows twitched with confusion. “But he just came out of a coma two days ago, and I think he's doing well already.”

“That's the issue, Miss. Andrew. He just came out of coma and there are some drugs that ought to be administered to him, but your mom told me to hold off because of the bill.” A line appeared in his brow as he spoke, my heart racing with each word he said.

“How much is the bill, and can't you start the treatment while I source for money?” My voice came as a desperate plea.

“I'm sorry, Nora. The hospital needs money to run, and I've really tried my best. As it stands, unless the outstanding bills are sorted, we can't start the treatment. I hope you find the money soon.” He placed a hand on my shoulder, squeezing it gently before walking away.

He was right. As our family doctor, he had tried to cover up the bills, it's time I found some money.

I dashed out of the hospital with one thought in my mind; my inheritance money.

I raced to Mr. Pete, our family lawyer's office in no time, panting heavily as I stepped into his office.

His brows pinched when he saw me, but I paid him no attention.

He rose to his feet, moving closer to me as he spoke. “I was about to call you, Nora. Your boyfriend came over yesterday to finalize the procedure. I hope the funds helped.” A relieved look etched on his face, mine a confused look.

I stood tall, after I caught my breath, looking at me with my brows raised. “What do you mean by that? I never sent my boyfriend here.”

He paused, looking at me for a moment as though I were a joker. “He told me you were swamped at the hospital and needed the money for your dad.” He uttered briskly, almost sharing the pace of my racing heart.

“No… Everything… You gave him everything?” I questioned in a low voice, dumbstruck, and he nodded.

“How could you give him my money?” I yelled at him, almost losing my mind for a second.

“He came with your seal!” He retorted, his voice also raised.

I froze, my lips parted in a round shape and for a moment, I wanted to believe Mr. Pete, but I shook my head.

“No… That's not possible. Leonard would never do this to me.” I whispered with my gaze on the floor, still shaking the thought off my mind.

Mr. Pete grabbed a document and handed it to me, “This is the document, Nora. I'm genuinely sorry, I thought he was here on your behalf.”

Hot tears ran down my cheeks as my trembling hands held on to the document, tears blurring my vision.

He must have wanted to surprise me with this, perhaps he's even at the hospital with the money. I thought as I ran out of the law firm, holding the document like my life depended on it.

Of course, it does!

If my dad dies, my mom will never be happy again, and that would make me the worst daughter ever.

I hailed down a taxi, “3184 Thompson,” I swiftly uttered as I settled into it.

The drive, though it was a ten-minute drive away from the law firm, felt like an eternity as I kept calling Leonard's phone.

“…drop a message after the beep.” The same automated voice directed me to voicemail each time.

The car pulled to a halt and after paying the driver, I raced towards his apartment. My heart was pounding faster with each step I took on the stairs.

I got to his apartment and walked in, but the scene I was met with was something I never expected. My eyes landed on the red-hot heel Vivianne had worn this morning at work.

I shook my head, as if to shake the thought off but it lurked in my mind, knowing what she's capable of now. Scattered clothes laid on the floor as I stepped into the living room, my eyes glanced frantically from one to another, identifying Vivianne' and Leonard's.

Without a rethink, I barged into the bedroom and there they were; the two people who tore my life apart in just a day, naked under the duvet and cuddled against each other.

Disbelief surged through my lips, but Vivianne rolled her eyes, flinging her hair backwards as though I didn't exist. My gaze met with Leon's.

“What… How could you do this to me, Leon?” My voice was barely above a whisper, and my hand slipped from the knob I held.

He got out of bed, holding a pillow to cover himself, and took some steps closer to me. His lips spread with a grin that made an alarm bell ring in my head.

I wanted to skin him alive, but that's until I get my money.

“Are you really surprised? You're boring, you don't expect me to be with you, do you?” He chuckled, his voice echoing in my head.

My lips trembled as my heart clawed in pain in betrayal, but now isn't the time.

“Where is my money? The inheritance money you took from Mr. Pete?” My voice calmed a bit, more steady than before.

“I owe you nothing.” He spat and closed the distance between us. “Your father made me lose that bet, it's only right he paid it back.” He poked my head with his middle finger as he spoke.

I slapped him, taking a step closer to him and looking up at him with my gritting teeth shaking.

“You have just 24 hours to transfer the amount to my account…” I paused, my eyes wide with rage, but I made my way to the door, his voice stopping me.

“Or what?” He mocked.

With my head slightly tilted, I responded, “Or you will beg at my feet!”

___

I sat in the hospital waiting room, as though waiting for a miracle there, my eyes swollen with unshed tears. I rose to my feet and made my way to the ward, but as I rounded a corner, someone bumped into me, splashing hot coffee on me.

“Watch it, asshole!”

Nora's standpoint.

I shook off my now stained shirt, I could still feel the hotness of the coffee against my skin as I looked up at the person.

It was a tall stranger, holding an almost empty cup of coffee. His lips parted as if to apologize, but his words caught in his mouth when our eyes met. He stared at me for a few seconds as though he had seen me before.

“Hey!” I snapped my finger, jolting him back to reality. “You don't even have the guts to apologize?”

“I… Um… I apologize for my clumsiness.” He stuttered, not taking his gaze off me.

My eyes twitched with confusion and self-pity. I can't believe this is what has become of me. I wanted him to yell back at me, pick up a fight with me. That way, I would be able to let the tears flow. I could have a reason, but he stood there, calm, as if almost smiling.

I rolled my eyes at him and was about to take a step past him, but he grabbed my arm, pulling me back to the spot. My eyes widened with surprise at the way he looked at me.

A smile curled up his face, like he had been waiting for this moment. Then, confusion flashed on his face.

“Is anything the matter, mister? If not, excuse me.” My voice was harsher than I intended.

Rather than a response, he patted my head gently, stroking down my messy hair. His gentle touch sent a wave of calmness through my body and a tear rolled down my cheeks, guilt gnashing at my insides for being so at peace when I might lose my father.

I melted in his hands, almost letting go of everything, and I couldn't understand why. Why this stranger felt as though he were the one I had been waiting for, why time froze as he stood in front of me.

Just then, a voice cut through my thoughts.

“Alexander?” The frail voice sounded excited, and the man moved to stand beside me, facing the woman on a wheelchair.

Two bodyguards, dressed in brown suits, stood beside the woman and a nurse behind the wheelchair, her hands on its handle.

Though the woman looked weak and sick, a genuine smile played on her lips.

“Mom?” Alexander called in a low voice, his voice icy and his face cold as he looked at the nurse. “Why did you bring her out?” He barked, moving closer to his mom and covering her well with the blanket that sat on her knees.

“It's fine, Alexander. I wanted to get some fresh air, but I think this is more than enough.” She uttered, glancing and smiling at me, which I forced a smile in return.

“Is this the loving lady you've been hiding from me?” She asked, taking my hand in hers.

I wanted to correct her, that I was just a stranger to her son, but Alexander took my second hand, staring at me lovingly.

“Yes, mom. She's my girlfriend.” He smiled, tightening his grip on my hand while I looked at him with my jaw down, almost trembling in shock.

My eyes widened and though I wanted to say something, it was as though I lost my voice for a moment.

“You're more beautiful than I ever imagined,” his mom patted my hand with her other hand, causing me to turn to her with a forced smile that didn't reach my lips.

What should I do? And how dare this bloody stranger pull this kind of string on me? Why now? I thought within me, almost screaming out the words of my thoughts.

But it all came to me when Alexander winked at me with a strained smile that made him look like a cute bunny. A genuine smile spread on my lips for the first time in the day.

“Did I say something funny?” His mom's voice jolted me out of my thoughts.

I slipped my hand from their grasps and knelt beside her. Seeing her so frail, yet happy just by one tiny action from her son filled my heart with joy, my smile like an ironic smile, laughing at how I had failed as a daughter.

If this is all I have to do to put a smile on a stranger's face, then so be. I thought, my finger caressing her face softly as I put her hair behind her ear.

Her eyes shut for a moment and when they opened, they were filled with tears.

“Why does it feel so good?” Her voice came as a whisper, the tears crackling in it.

“Because you're happy. That's how you feel when you're overwhelmed with happiness.” I smiled, a tear rolled off my cheek.

“It's time for your meds,” the nurse butted in.

“I'll see you around then…" She paused, her eyes yearning for how to address me.

“Nora is the name, ma'am.”

“Just call me Yvette.”

The nurse wheeled her away while I rose to my feet, tears still rolling off my cheek and my body trembled as it got more intense.

“Hey!” I felt Alexander's hands on my shoulders as he called to me, but I turned to him, burying my face in his chest.

“Let's get you somewhere quiet,” he offered as he led me out of the hospital.

A few minutes later, we sat on a cemented bench. His back leaned as he stared at the stars. I studied him for a moment and I just can't see why someone like him would say something like that.

“What did you do that for?” I questioned, swiftly shifting my gaze away. Looking at him felt like I could drown in them and forget how messed up my life was at the moment.

He glanced at him before staring at the stars again. “It's been since forever I saw her smile, I just want to make her remaining days peaceful and happy.”

“Her remaining days?” I gulped down hard, fear of losing my dad gnashed at me. I can't make peace with that. “How do you intend to do that when all of this is a lie?” My voice quivered slightly.

He sat up and turned to me, taking my hand in his and our gaze locked. “How about we make it real?” A sly smile, that I couldn't quite trust, curled up his lips.

My heart raced, my cheeks tinted with blushes, reacting to his touch.

“Get a grip!” I snapped at myself, slowly wriggling my hand from his.

“What do you mean by that?” I gulped hard, looking away from him.

“Be mine…" His words grasped my attention, my eyes widened in surprise. “For 100 days. That's all she has left.”

I chuckled and rose to my feet, turning back at him, trying to make out if he was joking. But the look on his face was serious. I wrapped my hands around my arms, shaking my head.

“You can't be serious.”

“Why are you here at the hospital? I'll sort whatever it is you want…" He paused and rose, moving closer until I could feel his hot breath against my face. “Just be mine, and I'll get it done.”

“$5000?” I teased, trying to talk him out of it.

“Done!” He straightened up, his smile bright like something that brings me home.

“You don't just expect me to believe your words?” I shrugged, my hands slipping off my arms. “My dad is in there, and he needs the money to survive.” My voice trembled, thinking about the pain he has to go through.

Alexander brought out his phone and after a few minutes of scrolling, he stretched the phone to him. My eyes screamed with questions.

“Enter your account details,” he urged.

My heart skipped a beat, unable of what or how I should feel if he was serious, as much as how I could feel if this was a lame prank.

I grabbed the phone and wanted my details with my heart in my mouth, and returned the phone to him.

“You can check now,” his voice filled with a hint of pride, but I paid it no attention until I heard a beep from my phone.

I brought out my phone from my pocket, unlocked it and a gasp escaped my lips when I saw the amount. The exact thing I asked for.

My eyes met his.

“Do we have a deal now, Miss Nora?” He questioned, his voice cold, same as when he spoke to the bodyguards.

Without a response, my gaze landed on my phone, a smile contoured with tears I tried to hold back, played on my face.

“My mom would be so happy,” I muttered to myself as I went to my dialer.

But before I could dial her number, her call came in.

Perfect timing, I thought as I answered the call and brought it to my ear.

What I heard on the other end broke my heart in a million shreds; my mom sobbing.

“Mom? Is something wrong? Why are you crying?” I bombarded her with questions, fear and worry etched in my voice.

“Your dad… He's gone, Nora! He left without me. How could he!” She yelled before breaking back into sobs.

It was as though the world crumbled to the ground, I slowly lowered the phone, dumbstruck.

My knees wobbled, but before I could fall to the ground, Alexander caught me, his eyes yearning for answers.

“He's dead.”