I have a proposal

"Dad! Can you hear me? She called out again, her voice trembling with emotions. This time, tapping him a bit. "Dad, please open your eyes. Lucy is here," she continued to tap him.

She gently took his cold hands in hers, feeling the coldness of his skin. Tears streamed down her face as she gazed at her father's lifeless form.

Suddenly Mr Edward's eyes flickered open, and he gazed at Lucy with a faint glint of recognition. "Yes, my princess. I'm here," Mr. Edward stuttered, his voice shivering. "Daddy is awake and strong. How are you?" He whispered, his voice barely audible.

Lucy's heart swelled with emotions and she heard her dad's voice. She was scared that he had died. She had sworn to do anything to pay her father's bill. Ever since the demise of her mum, her father has been her best friend and gist partner. 

"Don't worry about me dad, I'm fine. How are you doing? She said, giving her full concern.

"My princess, your father is a strong man. Don't worry I'll be fine," he responded with a warm smile on his face. 

"I'm gathering money to pay the bills so that they can start the operation immediately. Once you recover, we're leaving this place immediately," 

Lucy said.

As much as her father looked strong, she wasn't seeing the hope of him surviving the sickness. But she had to be optimistic anyway.

"How do you intend to get the money to pay the bills? Lucy's father asked.

"Don't worry dad. You have a strong daughter here, I will work for the money," Lucy praised herself and they both laughed heartily.

"Dad, I came to say good morning to you. I will be back later. I need to go and make money for your treatment."

"Okay my princess. But promise you won't make troubles with Theresa and her daughter," Mr. Edward whined.

"Only if they don't give me troubles," Lucy replied jokingly.

As they spoke, the door creaked open, and a nurse entered with a clipboard.

"Time for his medication," she announced, her voice cheerful but detached.

Lucy stood by and watched as she administered the medication, her mind racing with thought of her father's condition and the mounting bill.

As the nurse left, Lucy turned back to her father who was watching her with a faint smile.

She leaned over and kissed her father's forehead. "Dad, I promise to give you the best treatment."

Mr. Edward's eyes closed and he nodded weakly. "And take care of yourself too."

"Alright dad, I will see you later. Be strong for me. I'll be back soon, I need to sort out some things," she said, trying to reassure him and immediately, she exited the room without waiting for his response.

As she was leaving the hospital, so many thoughts crossed her mind. How she could get the money to pay her father's hospital bills. 

Her father's illness had left her loaded with insurmountable medical expenses, and she had reached her breaking point. She had tried so many menial jobs to foot the bills but it keeps increasing and makes it look as if her efforts aren't fruitful.

She had submitted application letters to so many companies but received feedback from none.

As a fresh graduate with a good grade, she never expected life to be tough on her this way. Someone whose father is a multi millionaire leaving like a beggar. The worst is that, madam Theresa has told all the partners of their company that her husband traveled for a business trip and would spend a long time. 

She paraded Martha as the legitimate heir to the Edward inheritance making people not to know that Mr Edward had another child.

Immediately she left the hospital, she entered the available taxi heading in her direction. 

About a few minutes later, the taxi dropped her off. Lucy's heart ticked in her chest as she stood outside her father's mansion, squeezing a stack of unbearable hospital bills tightly in her shaking hands. 

With the hope of getting help, She had come to her stepmother once again, hoping that she would show some compassion in this time of need to save her dad's life. Even though she had swore not to ask for her help, the situation kept getting worse and she had no option.

She summoned courage as she pushed open the grand double doors and stepped into the house entrance. The air was heavy with the scent of fresh flowers and polished wood, but there was an underlying tension that seemed to saturate the atmosphere. She peeked around, searching for any sign of her stepmother's presence.

Finally, she spotted her stepmother, Madam Theresa, sitting well relaxed in the luxurious sitting room. Her perfectly curled hair and elegant attire contrasted sharply with Lucy's chaotic appearance. Martha, her stepsister, was seated beside her, engaged in a magazine.

Lucy took a deep breath and approached the room, her footsteps echoing in the vast space. As she drew closer, Madam Theresa looked up, her eyes narrowing with a mix of surprise and disdain.

"Well, well, look who decided to grace us with her presence," Madam Theresa said, her voice dripping with condescension. "What brings you here, Lucy?"

Lucy tried to steady her voice, her heart pounding in her ears. 

"Madam Theresa, I need your help. You know that my father, your husband is in the hospital, and the medical bills are overwhelming. I can't afford to pay them, and I was hoping you could assist me," Lucy stuttered.

Mrs. Theresa let out a haughty laugh, her eyes flicking over the stack of bills in Lucy's hands. 

"And why should I do that? Your father is not my responsibility. Besides, he is your father and you have to sort the bills yourself."

"This man in the hospital channeled all his love to you and your selfish daughter. All you did was to take over his company and abandon him at the hospital to die", Lucy scolded bitterly.

This was actually her first time speaking to Madam Theresa in such a manner but she was overwhelmed by the situation.

Tears filled up Lucy's eyes as her hopes broke. She took a step forward, her voice pleading. "But Madam Theresa, you are in charge of his business, why not save his life", she retorted again.

Martha, who had been listening silently, suddenly spoke up, her voice laced with a hint of malice. "Mum, maybe we can strike a deal. Lucy here desperately needs the money, and I have a proposition."

Lucy turned her gaze towards Martha, her heart sinking in anger. She had always felt like an outsider in her own home, and Martha's proposal filled her with a sense of skepticism.

Madam Theresa raised an eyebrow, captivated. "What kind of proposition, Martha?"