CHAPTER EIGHT

Ivy's POV

I clutch the check, the ink still fresh, and push through the hospital's glass doors. My heart's pounding, but it's not just fear anymore-there's a spark of hope. A billion dollars. It's unreal, like I'm holding a lifeline. The sterile smell hits me, and I march straight to the billing office.

"Miss Russo," the clerk says, looking up from her computer, her glasses slipping down her nose. "You're back."

"I've got the money," I say, sliding the check across the counter. My voice shakes, but I don't care.

"For my father's treatment. All of it. Transfer him to the new facility, get the new drugs, everything the doctor said."She stares at the check, eyes widening. "This is... a lot. Let me verify-"

"Verify it fast," I snap, leaning forward.

"He's got hours, not days. You know that."She nods, flustered, and picks up the phone.

"Yes, Dr. Moretti? Miss Russo's here with... a payment. A big one. Can you confirm the transfer?"I tap my foot, my hands trembling.

Come on, come on. I can still feel Alessio's cold eyes on me from last night, the way his voice cut through me. You've made your choice, Ivy. My stomach twists, but I shove it down. I did what I had to. For Dad. The clerk hangs up.

"It's cleared. We'll start the transfer to the advanced care unit today. New meds, new equipment-everything."I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. "He's going to be okay? You're sure?"She hesitates, her lips tight.

"The doctor will update you soon. But this... this gives him a real chance."A chance. It's more than I had yesterday. I nod, my throat too tight to speak, and turn toward Dad's room.

My shoes squeak on the polished floor, and I'm practically running now."Miss Ivy!" A nurse catches me at the door, her voice soft but urgent. It's the same one from yesterday, the one with the card. "He's stable.

The new treatment plan's already in motion. You did good."I manage a weak smile. "Thank you. Can I see him?"

"Of course," she says, stepping aside.

"He's looking better already." I step into the room, and there he is--Dad, still pale, still hooked to machines, but his chest rises and falls steadily. The beeping's slower, calmer. I grab his hand, cold but real. "You're gonna make it, Dad," I whisper.

"I'm not letting you go." My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I flinch. I don't want to look, but I do.

A text from an unknown number. Eros & Ash. Tonight. We need to talk. My heart sinks. Alessio. It has to be him. I shove the phone back, my hands shaking again. I don't want to go back there, not after last night.

But the billion dollars won't last forever. The clerk made that clear-ongoing costs, maintenance, more meds. I need more.

I kiss Dad's forehead and step out, my mind racing. The hospital's too bright, too loud. I'm halfway down the corridor when my phone buzzes again. Another text. Don't ignore me, Ivy. I grit my teeth and keep walking.

Outside, the night air hits me like a slap. I flag a cab, my hands still clutching the phone.

"Eros & Ash," I tell the driver, my voice flat.He glances at me in the rearview mirror, same judgmental look as last time.

"Back again, huh?""Just drive," I say, sharper than I mean to. He shrugs and pulls into traffic. The club's lights flicker in the distance, and my stomach churns. I can still feel that damn dress clinging to me, the way Antonio looked at me like I'd betrayed him. And Alessio-his voice, his hands, his hate. I shake my head, trying to focus. This is for Dad.

I step out of the cab, the $200 from the couple already gone to the fare. The bouncer waves me in, and the music hits me like a wall-thumping, heavy, drowning out my thoughts. The receptionist spots me immediately, her red lips curling.

"Back so soon, Ivy?" she says, her voice dripping with something I can't place. "Didn't think you'd have the stomach for it.""I need the money," I say, keeping my chin up.

"You know why."She raises a brow, sliding a new consent form across the counter. "Sign here. Same drill.

"My hand shakes as I grab the pen, but before I can sign, a shadow looms behind me. I don't need to turn to know it's him. Alessio. His cologne, sharp and expensive, gives him away.

"Don't sign that," he says, his voice low, dangerous.

"We need to talk."I spin around, my heart slamming against my ribs. His eyes are dark, unreadable, but there's something new in them-less hate, maybe. Or I'm imagining it. "What do you want, Alessio?

"He steps closer, and I back up, hitting the counter. "Not here," he says. "Private room. Now."

"No way," I snap, my voice rising.

"I'm not going through that again. You got what you wanted.

"His jaw tightens. "You think I want to hurt you? I'm offering you a deal, Ivy. A better one.

"I laugh, bitter and sharp.

"A deal? Like last night? You think I'm that desperate?"

"Aren't you?" he shoots back, his voice cutting.

"You're here, aren't you? Ready to sell yourself again.

"My cheeks burn, and I want to slap him, but he's right. I'm here.

"What's the deal?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.He leans in, his breath warm against my ear. "Marry me. Play the part of my wife. Help me destroy Dante and your mother. In return, I'll keep your father alive. Every treatment, every bill-covered. For as long as it takes."I stare at him, my mind spinning.

"Marry you? Are you insane?""Do I look like I'm joking?" His eyes lock onto mine, intense, unyielding. "You want to save him? This is how."I shake my head, my hands balling into fists. "You hate me.

You called me a whore last night. Why would I trust you?""Because you don't have a choice," he says, his voice softer now, almost pleading. "And because I'm not letting you walk back into that room to be someone else's.

"I glance at the door to the main floor, where the music's louder, where men are waiting. My stomach twists. "And if I say no?"

"Then you're on your own," he says, stepping back.

"And your father's out of time."

I swallow hard, my throat tight. "I need to think about it.""You have until tomorrow," he says, turning away. "Meet me at my office. Noon. Don't be late.

"He walks off, leaving me standing there, the consent form still in front of me. The receptionist smirks. "So? Signing or not?" I shove the paper back at her.

"Not tonight."I turn and head for the exit, my legs shaky. Outside, I pull out my phone and call Antonio. He picks up on the first ring.

"Ivy?" His voice is thick with worry. "Where are you? Are you okay?""I'm at Eros & Ash," I say, my voice cracking.

"Antonio, I... I paid the hospital. Dad's getting better. But I don't know what to do now.""Better?" His voice lifts, then hardens.

"Wait, you're at that damn place again? Ivy, why?"

"I need more money," I admit, tears stinging my eyes. "The billion won't last. And Alessio... he offered me a deal."

"What kind of deal?" Antonio's voice is sharp, suspicious.

"He wants me to marry him," I say, the words sounding ridiculous out loud. "To ruin Dante and my mom. He'll pay for Dad's treatment if I do." There's a long pause.

"Ivy, don't. He's dangerous. You know what he did to you."

"I know," I whisper. "But what choice do I have? Dad's alive because of me. I can't stop now." "I'll find another way," Antonio says, his voice fierce. "I'll talk to my contacts, get you money-"

"You can't," I cut him off. "You've got your own life, Antonio. I can't keep dragging you into this."

"I'm already in it," he says.

"You're family, Ivy. Always have been." I choke back a sob.

"I have to go. I'll call you tomorrow."

"Ivy, wait-"I hang up, my hands shaking. The hospital's number flashes on my screen now, and I answer, my heart racing."Miss Russo?" It's Dr. Moretti.

"I wanted to update you. Your father's responding to the new treatment. His vitals are stronger, and the infection's under control."I clutch the phone tighter, tears spilling over. "He's... he's going to be okay?""For now, yes," he says, cautious. "But these treatments are ongoing. You'll need to keep up the payments.""I will," I say, my voice firm despite the tears. "I'll find a way."I hang up, staring at the neon lights of Eros & Ash. Alessio's deal echoes in my head. Marry him. Play his game. Save Dad. I wipe my face, my resolve hardening. I don't know if I can trust him, but I know one thing-I'm not losing my father. Not now. Not ever.