His Bound

Rose's POV

"One million dollars." My voice cracked as I stared at the glowing numbers on the cash register screen. My fingers jabbed the buttons harder than necessary, hands shaking. I focused on the faint murmurs of customers and the sound of bacon sizzling in the kitchen, trying to drown out the panic clawing at my chest.

"You've been at this all day, Rose. Take a break." Mia's voice was quiet but firm as she placed a steaming cup of coffee beside me. "You'll collapse before you help anyone at this rate."

"Breaks don't pay bills, Mia." I kept my eyes on the screen.

She sighed, shoulders sagging. "Your mom wouldn't want this for you."

"She wouldn't want to die either," I shot back, the words sharp and bitter. Guilt gnawed at me immediately.

Mia didn't flinch, her brown eyes filled with sympathy. "We'll figure it out. You're not alone in this."

A bitter laugh slipped out before I could stop it. "Unless you have a million dollars stashed away, there's nothing to figure out."

Before she could argue, the café door chimed. The tension shattered as a man stepped in. I pasted on a bright smile, turning toward him. "Welcome to Willow's Café. Table for one or two?"

He barely glanced at me, waving a dismissive hand before sliding into a booth in the far corner. Fine by me-I wasn't in the mood for small talk.

Just as I exhaled, my phone buzzed. The vibration sent a jolt through my body. I grabbed it, heart already racing.

"Miss Rose Bennett?"

The crisp voice on the other end made my stomach drop.

"This is Dr. Ellis from St. Mary's Hospital. Your mother's condition has worsened. We strongly recommend immediate surgery to stabilize her."

The room blurred. I clutched the counter to stay upright. "I-I don't have the money yet."

"I understand, but time is running out. Please consider all your options. Without the procedure..." He hesitated, letting the weight of his words sink in. "We'll do what we can, but the outcome may not be favorable."

Silence crashed over me like a tidal wave. By the time I blinked, the line was already dead.

Mia was beside me in an instant. "What happened?"

"They need to operate. Now." My voice was hoarse.

She squeezed my shoulder. "Then we'll find a way-"

"How, Mia?" My voice cracked as desperation clawed at my throat. "We're talking about one million dollars! I can barely afford her medication, let alone surgery."

My grip tightened on the counter. "I can't lose her. She's all I have."

Mia's eyes shimmered with unshed tears as she pulled me into a tight hug. "We'll figure something out. You're stronger than this."

"I'm not strong. I'm trapped." The tears I'd been holding back spilled over. My body trembled under the weight of hopelessness.

Movement in the corner of my eye made me stiffen. The man in the booth had lowered his phone, watching me with an unreadable expression.