Chapter 8- Anna's Determination

The antiseptic scent of the hospital hit Anna the moment she stepped out of the elevator, but she barely noticed it anymore. She made her way to the private wing, her heels clicking softly against the pristine tile floor. The private room had been arranged just yesterday, another reminder of the deal she had made with Jaden. It was the kind of luxury she’d never been able to provide for Lily on her own, and yet it felt more like a chain than a blessing.

As she opened the door to Lily's room, the sight before her made her heart ache. Lilly sat propped up on the bed, her pale face illuminated by the soft glow of the sunlight filtering through the large windows. Despite her frailty, her brown eyes sparkled with a familiar mischief that Anna hadn’t seen in weeks. Emily, Anna’s best friend and Lilly’s caretaker during her absence, stood by the bed, adjusting the pillows and chatting with Lilly, her laughter filling the space.

“Anna!” Lilly’s voice broke through the moment, a mixture of joy and surprise. “You’re here!”

Anna forced a smile, pushing away the heavy guilt that had become her constant companion. “Of course, I’m here, silly. How are you feeling today?”

Lily’s gaze darted around the room, her brows furrowing in confusion. “I’m fine, but Anna, what’s going on? Why am I in this fancy room? And the doctors said I’ve been getting special treatments—ones we couldn’t afford before.”

Emily shot Anna a sympathetic glance before giving Lilly’s hand a gentle squeeze. “I’ll let you two talk,” she said softly, slipping out of the room and leaving Anna alone with her sister.

Anna approached the bed, sitting on the edge as Lilly continued to stare at her, waiting for answers. The twelve-year-old was far too perceptive for her own good, and Anna knew she couldn’t dance around the truth forever. But how could she explain this without shattering the fragile trust between them?

“I made some changes,” Anna began, her voice trembling slightly. “I wanted to make sure you were getting the best care possible.”

Lilly’s frown deepened. “But how? We didn’t have money for this kind of care, Anna. You told me that last week. And now, suddenly, I’m in this room, and I’m getting all these treatments?”

Anna sighed, brushing a strand of hair behind Lilly’s ear. “I found a way to make it work. That’s all you need to worry about.”

But Lilly wasn’t satisfied. She crossed her arms over her chest, her small frame looking even tinier against the plush hospital bed. “You’re hiding something,” she said bluntly. “You’ve been gone a lot lately, and now all of this is happening. Did you borrow money from someone? Are you in trouble?”

Anna’s heart clenched at the concern in her sister’s voice. “No, Lilly. I’m not in trouble. I just—” She trailed off, her eyes darting to the floor. Lying to Lilly felt wrong, but telling her the truth felt even worse.

“Anna.” Lilly’s voice softened, and she reached out to take her sister’s hand. “You can tell me. I’m not a baby anymore.”

Anna closed her eyes, drawing in a shaky breath. Lilly deserved to know at least part of the truth. She deserved to understand why her life was suddenly changing. But how could Anna explain this without dragging her into the mess that was now her reality?

“I’m getting married,” Anna said finally, the words tumbling out before she could stop them.

Lilly’s eyes widened, and her mouth fell open in shock. “What? You’re getting married?”

Anna nodded, her throat tightening as she saw the mixture of emotions playing across her sister’s face—surprise, confusion, and a hint of something else. “It’s happening soon. And it’s part of how I’m able to afford everything. The room, the treatments—they’re all being taken care of.”

Lilly’s brows knitted together, and she searched Anna’s face as if trying to piece together a puzzle. “Who are you marrying? Do you love him?”

The question hit Anna like a punch to the gut. She opened her mouth to respond, but the words caught in her throat. How could she explain that love had nothing to do with this arrangement? That her decision had been driven by desperation, not affection?

Anna forced a smile, reaching out to tuck a stray curl behind Lilly’s ear. “He’s a good man,” she said, skirting around the truth. “And this marriage is going to help us. It’s going to make sure you get better, Lilly.”

But Lilly wasn’t satisfied. Her eyes filled with tears, and she clutched Anna’s hand tightly. “Anna, you always told me to follow my heart. You said love was the most important thing in the world. Are you really marrying someone you don’t love because of me?”

Anna’s chest tightened, and she felt her own tears threatening to spill over. “Lilly, listen to me. This is about giving you the best chance at a future. I would do anything for you—anything—to make sure you get better. That’s what matters right now.”

Lilly’s lip quivered, and she wiped at her eyes with the back of her hand. “But I don’t want you to give up your happiness for me. You’ve already done so much, Anna. I don’t want you to—”

“Stop,” Anna said, her voice trembling. She cupped Lilly’s face in her hands, forcing her to meet her gaze. “You are my happiness, Lilly. Do you understand that? Seeing you healthy, seeing you smile—that’s all I care about. And if this is what it takes to make that happen, then I’ll do it a thousand times over.”

Lilly sniffled, her tears falling freely now. “But what about you? What about your dreams?”

Anna swallowed hard, her own tears sliding down her cheeks. “My dream is to see you live, Lilly. That’s all I’ve ever wanted.”

For a long moment, they just sat there, holding each other as the weight of the conversation settled over them. Lilly’s small frame shook with sobs, and Anna’s heart broke a little more with each tear her sister shed.

Finally, Lilly pulled back, her eyes red and puffy but filled with determination. “I don’t like it,” she said, her voice cracking. “But if you say this is what you need to do, then I’ll trust you. Just promise me you’ll be okay. Promise me you’ll take care of yourself too.”

Anna forced a smile, brushing a tear from Lilly’s cheek. “I promise, sweetheart. I’ll be okay. As long as I have you, I’ll be okay.”

Lilly nodded, though the doubt lingered in her eyes. She leaned back against the pillows, her energy visibly drained. “I just want us to be happy, Anna. Both of us.”

Anna smoothed her sister’s hair, her heart heavy with the weight of her secret. She had told Lilly enough to ease her curiosity, but not enough to shatter her innocence. The truth—the real truth—was a burden Anna would carry alone.

As Lilly’s breathing evened out and she drifted off to sleep, Anna sat by her side, watching the rise and fall of her chest. She thought about the life she was stepping into, the sacrifices she was making, and the man waiting for her to play her part.

For Lilly, she would endure it all. For Lilly, she would give up everything.

But as she sat in the quiet room, her sister’s fragile hand resting in hers, Anna couldn’t shake the feeling that she was walking a dangerous

line—one that could cost her more than she was prepared to lose.