The Next Step
“We can schedule the surgery for tomorrow.”
Marissa was relief.
“Thank you, Doctor.”
Dr. Ramirez smiled kindly.
“Don’t worry, we’ll do our best to take care of your brother.”
“Can I see him?” she asked.
“Uhmm… it’s actually passed visiting hours, but because of you I would make an exception, but it would only be for 30 minutes.” he said.
“Thank you, doctor.” she appreciated.
“Let me call the nurse so she would see you to where your brother is. ” he said.
“Okay, doctor.” she said.
Dr. Ramirez picked up the phone and called the nurse. After a brief conversation, he hung up and said,
“The nurse will be here shortly to take you to your brother.”
Marissa nodded, feeling grateful for the doctor’s understanding.
She knew that every moment counted, and she wanted to spend as much time as possible with her brother before the surgery.
A few minutes later, a nurse arrived and greeted Marissa. “Follow me, please,” she said.
Marissa followed the nurse through the hospital corridors until they reached her brother’s room.
When she entered, her heart sank at the sight of her brother lying in the hospital bed, looking weak and pale.
She rushed to his side, tears welling up in her eyes.
“I’m here, Samuel,” she whispered, holding her brother’s hand gently.
Samuel weakly opened his eyes and managed a faint smile. “Marissa… you came.”Text content © NôvelDrama.Org.
Marissa nodded, trying to hold back her tears. She didn’t want her brother to see her cry.
“Of course, I’m here, and everything will be okay.”
“How are you feeling?” she asked.
“I… feel… like shit, but I’ll live….” he said
Marissa gave a weak smile, her eyes still moist with tears.
“You’re a tough one, Samuel. You’ll get through this.”
Samuel managed a weak chuckle.
“Yeah, I’ve been through worse.”
They continued to talk, sharing memories and reassuring each other.
Marissa couldn’t help but worry about the surgery, but she tried her best to stay strong for her brother.
After the 30 minutes were up, the nurse gently reminded Marissa that visiting hours were over.
Reluctantly, Marissa stood up from her brother’s bedside.
“I’ll be back tomorrow, Samuel,” she promised, giving him a gentle hug.
Samuel nodded, looking grateful.
“Thank you, Marissa.”
As Marissa left the room, her thoughts were filled with both hope and anxiety.
She had taken a huge step by agreeing to the fake marriage with Alexander, and now everything depended on the success of her brother’s surgery.
She knew that the next few months would be challenging, but she was determined to do whatever it took to save her brother’s life.
After she left the hospital, Marissa returned home.
She lay on her bed, her mind in turmoil. She couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed by the decision she had made to marry Alexander for three months.
It all seemed like a surreal dream, and she couldn’t shake the feeling of disbelief.
“I can’t believe I agreed to this,” she whispered to herself, shaking her head.
“Marrying Alexander Shim, of all people.”
The thought of spending three months as his fake wife filled her with a strange fear and worry.
She had always known him as an arrogant and rude man, and now she had willingly entered into this bizarre arrangement.
As she lay there, Marissa slapped her forehead lightly as if trying to snap herself out of a trance.
“Come on, Marissa, get a grip. It’s just a paper marriage, all for Samuel’s sake.”
She knew she had no other choice. The clock was ticking, and her brother’s life hung in the balance.
This was her best shot at securing the money for his surgery.
With a heavy sigh, she closed her eyes and tried to push away the doubts and uncertainties that swirled in her mind.
The encounter with Alexander in his apartment and the contract signing still felt unbelievable.
Marissa picked up her phone and messaged Anderson, Alexander’s lawyer, for updates on the private wedding arrangements.
She wanted everything to go smoothly, especially with her brother’s surgery scheduled for the next day.
While waiting for Anderson’s reply, Marissa couldn’t stop thinking about her brother, Samuel.
She prayed the surgery would be a success, and he’d recover quickly. The responsibility weighed on her, but she was determined to see it through.
Finally, her phone buzzed with Anderson’s response, assuring her that the wedding plans were in progress, and they’d keep her informed.
Marissa felt a bit of relief; at least one part of the complex plan was moving ahead.
Marissa closed her eyes, trying to clear her mind. She needed rest for the upcoming day.
The day of her brother’s surgery. She couldn’t afford to be tired or distracted.
Meanwhile Alexander returned to his apartment tired from all the stress of the day. He needed to rest and prepare for work.
He got to his fridge and took a cold drink and sat on the couch thinking about everything that happened to him that day.
“What a mess this has become. I never imagined I’d find myself in such a situation. A fake marriage? It’s absurd. But desperate times call for desperate measures, I suppose.” he muttered to himself.
He took another sip of his drink, his thoughts a whirlwind of doubts and uncertainties.
Despite his tough exterior, there was a part of him that couldn’t help but wonder about Marissa. She was unlike anyone he had ever encountered.
“Marissa… she’s not the typical woman who’d willingly enter into such an arrangement. She’s got spirit, and she isn’t afraid to stand up to me. That’s… intriguing, to say the least.” still talking to himself.
As he continued to mull over the situation, Alexander couldn’t shake the feeling that his life was about to take an unexpected turn, and he wasn’t entirely sure if it would be for better or worse.
Then he thought about Jessie. How was he going to handle her? If she found out that he had gotten married, she would be devastated even though it was a fake marriage, but still she would be devastated.