Page 11 of Pursued By My Grumpy Fiancé
“I don’t know how it happened, mom. It’s the donor's wing,” I say.
I would never say it to her, but I’m extremely worried that this might be some sort of mistake. I’m just waiting for an orderly to come through the door and announce that they are taking her back to floor five.
“Well, it doesn’t matter anyway. Tell me about your day.” She takes a small sip of water.
She’s so frail compared to how she used to be. When she first started treatment, she was doing chemotherapy. One of the side effects that hit her bad was nausea, and she could hardly ever keep anything down. She lost so much weight.
I’m in the middle of telling her about my day when an orderly brings in a bouquet of lilies and sets them on the window sill.
“Oh, who are those from?” my mom asks.
She loves attention, and being doted on. She especially loves flowers.
“Donor gift.” The orderly beams. “Is there anything I can do for you Mrs. Dunn? Anything I can get to make you more comfortable?”
My mom shakes her head and the orderly leaves. I walk over to the flowers and finger the petals. My finger hits the edge of a card. It’s plain white with a gold leaf on the center. I flip it over and my blood runs cold.
This donation has been provided by Gould Holdings, Tech Division.
I immediately let go of the card as if it’s burned me.
“So, who’s it from?” My mom asks, her eyes filled with intrigue.
“Um, just some tech company. Must have been a random donation.” I clear my throat.
My mom gives me a look of doubt, but I know she doesn’t have the energy to argue. I go and curl up on the chair next to her.
“Come on, mom. Let’s watch The Notebook again,” I say as I grab the remote and settle in.
Mymomfellasleephalfway through our second movie, and I don’t like to stick around when she’s not awake. It feels intrusive.
I slowly exit the elevator, lost in my thoughts. How did he find out that my mom was here? I’m actually a bit creeped out by the whole situation now. He seems to be stalking me.
“Ms. Dunn!” the receptionist calls out right as I’m about to exit the glass doors.
“Yes? Is there a problem?” I say as I turn around.
“No, not a problem. But, we have your check,” she says and beckons me forward.
“My check?”
“Yes. You gave us the payment for the next round of treatment yesterday. Since she’s been moved to the donor wing and all her expenses have been covered, you’re being reimbursed for your payment.” She holds out the check and I stare at it for a moment too long.
I take it out of her hand carefully, as if it will bite me.
“Right. Thank you. Have a good evening,” I say and I turn around. I walk quickly out the glass doors before I lose my breath and have to stop. I lean over and rest my hands on my knees, taking in deep, heavy breaths. This is insane. A billionaire is stalking me and paying my mother’s medical bills. Is this how he will blackmail me? Threaten to take away my mother’s treatment if I don’t pretend to be his fiancée?
Realization dawns on me. Even if he was planning to blackmail me, it doesn’t matter. He’s given me the ultimate gift—completely free treatment for my mother. I owe him.
Oh, how I hate owing him.
Chapter Seven
Landon
There’saknockonmy office door.
“You’re welcome to enter,” I call out, straightening my tie.
