The following day.
Celine sat on the edge of the hospital bed, patiently feeding her mother. The bland porridge felt heavy on her tongue, yet her mother swallowed every spoonful with great effort.
"Miss Celine," a soft voice interrupted. A nurse stood in the doorway, offering a polite smile. "Could you come with me to the administration office for a moment?"
Celine returned the smile, a forced, professional expression. "Of course."
She placed the food container on the bedside table. "Wait a moment, Ma. I will be right back," she whispered, stroking the back of her mother's hand.
Her mother only nodded slowly. Her eyes were weary, filled with exhaustion and a deep sense of pity for her only daughter. She knew that behind that smile, Celine was carrying a massive burden.
Inside the administration office, the nurse looked at Celine with a sympathetic tone. "Miss Celine, we request that the surgical fees be settled immediately. Once paid, we can finalize the surgery schedule for your mother."
Celine's heart sank instantly. "Oh, yes. Just a moment," she replied, struggling to maintain her composure.
She hurried to pull out her phone and opened her mobile banking app. Her fingers trembled as she entered her PIN. She held her breath, hoping the final balance from last night's job had been deposited.
The screen showed the same number. The balance had not increased.
"Give me a second," Celine said, stepping slightly away from the nurse's desk. Her face began to show signs of panic. She immediately dialed the contact saved as 'Mami'.
The line rang several times.
"Hello, Mami?" Celine's voice was tight.
"Oh, Celine," the voice on the other end answered, sounding rushed and surrounded by noise.
"Mami, why hasn't the rest of the money been transferred?" Celine asked, her eyes darting anxiously toward the nurse.
"Oh... sorry, Celine. I forgot to mention, the gentleman wants to pay in cash. He told me you have to meet him directly," Mami said casually, oblivious to how precious time was.
"I will text you the address. I am still with a client. I have to go!" The call was disconnected abruptly.
Shortly after, a message notification arrived.
Here is the address. Just go there.
Celine gripped her phone tightly. Blood boiled in her mind, erasing the friendly smile she had forced earlier.
Leo. Why do you keep making things so difficult for me? she muttered to herself, filled with a rage and frustration that were nearly unbearable.
Celine returned to the administration desk. "I promise I will settle the payment today," she said before excusing herself.
She rushed to her mother's room to grab her bag and say goodbye.
After taking a motorcycle taxi, Celine arrived at a grand estate. It was a house she knew well. It was a house she had visited often as a teenager.
The massive front gate opened automatically, as if the owner already knew of her arrival.
Celine stepped forward nervously, gripping the strap of her crossbody bag. She took a long breath to calm her nerves.
A maid approached her from the opposite direction.
"Miss Celine?" the maid asked.
Celine only nodded.
"Please follow me. The young master is waiting for you," the maid said.
The house looked the same, even though ten years had passed since her last visit. The only difference was the gate, which was now automated.
Celine entered the mansion. She came to a sudden halt when she reached the stairs. These were the stairs that had led her to prison.
***
Flashback
Celine stood at the top of the stairs, gasping for breath. Her eyes were swollen and red from hours of crying that had drained all her energy. However, desperation drove her forward. She had to see Leo's father to get an explanation.
Suddenly, a firm hand gripped her wrist.
"Celine, don't!" Emma's voice, Leo's mother, sounded urgent and was half-whispered. "You cannot see him now."
"I have to see him, Emma! Please let go! Richard has to explain all of this!" Celine struggled, demanding to see Leo's father, Richard Alexander.
Celine pulled her hand with all her strength to break free from Emma's grip.
Emma tightened her hold. "Celine, not now. Richard cannot be disturbed. Celine, listen!" Emma pulled her away from the bedroom door she was targeting.
Celine had reached her limit. Pain, betrayal, and despair blended into a burning rage. With tears pushing at her eyes once again, Celine jerked her arm back with all her might.
"LET GO!"
The shove was so powerful and unexpected. Emma, who was only trying to hold her back, lost her balance at the edge of the steps.
Emma stumbled. Her body tumbled downward, hitting step after step, until she came to a rest on the ground floor.
"Emma!" Celine screamed from above, her voice choked by a shock that instantly replaced her anger.
At the bottom of the stairs, Emma lay motionless. Her body began to be soaked in blood.
Leo, who had just arrived and witnessed the entire tragic event, dropped everything he was holding.
"Ma... Mama!" Leo screamed, immediately kneeling and trying to rouse his unconscious mother.
Leo knelt beside her. However, his gaze did not stay on the blood-stained Emma. Slowly, he looked up. His sharp irises now burned with a cold hatred, striking Celine at the top of the stairs. It was as if that look were a bullet demanding vengeance.
End of Flashback
***
Celine stepped further into the grand house. Each footstep on the marble floor felt heavy. Her walk toward the main staircase was filled with dread. It was a cursed staircase; a place that held the most painful memory of her life.
A well-dressed valet greeted her on the upper floor.
"This way, Miss. The Master is waiting inside." The valet opened the double doors to a room. It was Leo's bedroom. It was the place where they used to spend their afternoons, lost in books and laughter. After showing her in, the valet promptly withdrew.
Celine froze at the threshold. her fingers were cold. The deep wounds of the past made her hesitant to cross that doorway.
"Come in. If you want your money," Leo's heavy voice drifted from inside, cold and blunt.
Celine exhaled, gathering the remnants of her courage, and stepped inside.
Leo stood with his back to her, both hands tucked into his trouser pockets. He stared blankly out of the large window where the evening sky was beginning to fade.
"How does it feel to return to this house after ten years, Celine?" he asked. His voice was calm. Too calm.
Leo turned around. His sharp gaze locked onto her.
"Wonderful," Celine replied firmly, hiding the tremor in her voice. "It turns out nothing has changed. Except... our feelings. It used to be love. Now it is mutual hatred." Celine's voice was pointed, emphasizing her disdain for him.
Leo gave a crooked smile, one that Celine could not see. He turned and stepped closer, moving slowly with a piercing intensity in his eyes. They were only inches apart. The aura of hostility was so thick that the air felt suffocating.
"I do not have much time. Where is my money?" Celine held out her right hand, palm open, demanding payment with a defiant glare.
"Hahahaha." Leo laughed softly. It was a laugh full of mockery that stung her ears.
"I will give you the money," he said, his voice returning to a flat tone. "But on one condition."
"What condition?" Celine lifted her chin. "You already got what you wanted, and I have the right to be paid according to our agreement!"
Leo leaned in slightly. His voice was a whisper, yet it was razor-sharp. "You must marry me. Only then will I give you the rest of the money."