This Time, I Let Him Choose

At the bank, I tried to access our joint accounts.

"I'm very sorry, Mrs. Blackwood," the bank manager said apologetically. "Your black card has been canceled, and all joint accounts have been frozen by Mr. Alastair Blackwood, citing an internal family dispute."

Then my lawyer called. The family trust fund had also been temporarily frozen by a court order.

I took a deep breath and dialed my business partner.

"Mortgage my architectural firm and my entire personal real estate portfolio. I need three million dollars in cash, within the hour."

"On it, Oprah."

That still left a two-million-dollar shortfall. I called Alastair's uncle, Arthur Blackwood.

"Uncle Arthur, Alastair's parents have been in an accident. They need an emergency transfer, and I'm short two million dollars. Can you lend it to me? I'll pay you back as soon as the fund is unfrozen."

Arthur sounded shocked. "My brother's been in an accident? Does Alastair know?"

I sighed. "I told him, but he doesn't believe me. He's with Blaire at a private hospital right now. You're the only one who can help."

"You just wait there. I'll transfer it from my personal account right away!"

Just as Arthur hung up, the specialty hospital called back.

"Have the funds been arranged? We're running out of time."

My heart sank, but my voice was steady. "Almost. Just give me a little more time. You'll get every penny."

The doctor's voice was grave. "Mrs. Blackwood, I need to be blunt. The window for this procedure is closing. We have four hours. After that, it's too late."

I fought to keep my voice from trembling. "Give me one more hour! As long as my in-laws are still breathing, I swear I will get the money!"

As the words left my mouth, I heard the faint alarm of a monitor in the background.

The doctor's voice was cold and decisive. "If the payment doesn't arrive within four hours, we cannot proceed with this life-saving experimental treatment. We will be forced to provide only basic life support."

The bank's mortgage approval process was agonizingly slow.

A movement caught my eye. I turned to see Nolan standing just feet away, his face ashen. He had heard everything.

"Oprah, Alastair's parents... are they really in trouble? But Alastair said you were just getting back at him…"