Bargain

"Ellie, I understand how you feel. But... you're a doctor as well. You were well aware of your mother's condition. She has survived to this day solely because of the medication and machine. Her kidney has been failing for the past few months. Her blood pressure is over normal, she has nosebleeds, no appetite, and vomits... Ellie, she's in pain."

Doctor Webber's remarks keep echoing in Ellie's head as she sits in the taxi that will take her back to Noah's house. Her heart ached as she recalled it.

Give up? No! There is no term for "give up" in her dictionary.

Although she didn't want to meet Noah right now, especially when her body was exhausted after caring for her mother, who was in a vegetative state for the last three days. But there was no other choice. She had to meet him.

She had to meet her mother-in-law, and Noah was the only one who knew where she was.

Ellie stepped into Noah's magnificent residence as soon as she arrived.

The house was quiet as usual, but because it was late at night, she assumed Noah was home.

Ellie ventured up to the second floor. Seeing a dim light coming through Noah's study door, she then rushed to it.

She took a deep breath and was ready to knock. However,

Click….

The door suddenly opened from the inside. Ellie froze in place with her hands still in the air.

Standing by the door, Noah looked at Ellie with a cold expression. He was like an ice sculpture, without the slightest trace of emotion but exuding such tremendous pressure that it could make anybody shake and burst into a sweat.

Ellie, on the other hand, was unafraid of the man's aura. She was used to it. She then quickly retracted her hand and glanced down.

"Young Master, may I take some of your time?" Ellie asked nervously and bit her bottom lip. She wasn't afraid of him, but she was aware of how much Noah detested her. If that's the case, isn't it improbable that he would agree to help her?

"What are you—"

Brukk…

Noah's words were promptly cut off. With wide eyes full of bewilderment, he looked down at Ellie, who had suddenly knelt before him.

"Young Master, I never asked you for anything. But this time... please... tell me where Mrs. Anderson is... sob... "

Noah's brows furrowed. "My mom? You—"

"Young Master, I promise, I will sign the papers, but... please tell me where Mrs. Anderson is. Please..."

Noah's mouth was slightly open. His brow furrowed, even more, when he heard her.

"You want to bargain with me?"

Ellie nodded hastily without glancing at the man standing a few steps away from her.

Noah gave a nasty grin. He took a step nearer and looked at Ellie, who was still staring down.

"Do you think I can't make you?"

Ellie struggled to swallow her saliva. She nodded as she wiped the wet trace from her cheek. "I know you can do it, but can you make your mother approve of our divorce?"

Noah's jaw instantly stiffened. The man's gaze narrowed.

"You're a cunning woman!"

Ellie was unfazed. She didn't care what type of mockery she got. She needs to meet Mrs. Anderson. That woman had to uphold the promise she made to her.

Noah clenched his teeth and nodded. He walks past her and comes to a halt two steps away from her.

"Come back tomorrow at 8 a.m. I'll—"

"I'm willing to sign it right now," Ellie responded, swiftly interrupting Noah's words. She turned around while still on her knees. This time, she lifted her face and gazed hopefully at him.

Noah spun around. His eyes met with Ellie's teary eyes and her despairing face. He suddenly felt a prick in his chest. It was the first time he'd seen Ellie in this state.

The woman's tough façade, as well as her "I'm fine" demeanor, vanished without a trace.

Noah averted his gaze. He breathed out and nodded.

"Wait for me at 8 a.m. tomorrow or never."

Noah then left her and went to his bedroom.

"Please, Young Master. Please, I-"

Bruakk!

Noah slammed the door shut.

Ellie's body instantly slumped to the cold floor.

From the beginning, she realized Noah wouldn't even care whether she was desperate or hopeless. But, how much longer can her mum wait?

The nurse had asked her to pay the remaining invoices that had been postponed three months earlier this morning. Otherwise, her mother would be transferred to the normal ward and treatment would be halted.

She can imagine what would happen to her mother if that happened. No! She couldn't let that happen.

With tears in her eyes, Ellie gazed at Noah's closed bedroom door. She didn't move for several minutes.

Knowing Noah would not see her now, she then moved over to the wall beside Noah's study room door and sat against it. Opted to wait for him there.

She was scared Noah would break his promise and buy her time. She didn't want that. She had to talk to Mrs. Anderson. She has to!

Meanwhile, Noah, who was getting ready for bed, seemed restless. He touched his chest as he remembered Ellie's face again.

'What's the matter with me? Why is it hurting me to see her like that? Shouldn't I be glad she wants to sign? But... Why would I... '

"What are you thinking, honey? It's late. Come on, let's sleep."

Noah gasped as he heard his lover's voice. His thoughts were disrupted. He then welcomed Alexandra into his embrace and kissed her forehead as she gently laid her head in his arms.

"Why haven't you gone to bed?" Noah said tenderly.

"I was sleeping, but you kept moving," Alexandra whined.

"I'm sorry. Let's go to bed now."

Ellie didn't move from her spot all night. She leaned against the wall, closing her tired eyes.

Until it was apparent that morning had arrived.

Noah, who was dressed and ready for work, exited the room right away. His steps came to a halt as he noticed Ellie crouching at the door to his study.

"That woman... don't tell me she slept in there all night," Noah muttered as he took a step closer to Ellie.

However, a hand quickly grabbed his arm and forced him to a halt.

"Where are you going, honey?"

Noah shifted his gaze. He smiled at his beloved and softly touched her hand. "I asked her to come to my study today at 8 a.m. But see, she's sleeping there instead," Noah said, pointing to Ellie.

Alexandra wrinkled her brow. Following the direction Noah pointed. "You asked her to your study? Why?" Alexandra inquired, suspiciously.

Noah chuckled. He clutched her waist and kissed the tip of her nose. "Why? You're jealous, hm?"

Alexandra pursed her lips and glanced down.

"She asked for mom's number in exchange to sign the papers and talk to mum about it," Noah explained. "Are you still jealous, hm?"

Alexandra raised her head and fixed her gaze on the man she'd been dating for the past five years.

"Asked your mum's number? What for?"

Noah shrugged. He snorted as he twisted his head to gaze at Ellie. "Who knows? But, she seemed eager to meet her."

"OK, then I'll do it for you. It's 7.30 now. Don't you have a meeting this morning? Go. I'll take care of her," Alexandra stated as she fixed the man's tie.

"Are you sure?"

Alexandra cracked a smile. "Of course! Don't you trust me?"

"No, but..." Noah cast a brief glance back toward Ellie.

"Take it easy. I'm not going to let her do anything to me again. Okay? " Alexandra gently pushed Noah toward the steps by holding his shoulder. "Go and made a lot of money for us, okay?"

Noah eventually gave in after seeing the confidence in the eyes of the woman he loved. He nodded and went away after briefly looking back at Ellie once again.

Alexandra waved until the man vanished around the corner of the stairs.

A smirk appeared on the corner of her lips as she glanced at Ellie.

"Sleep well, Ellie," she muttered and walked back to her room.