Beyond His Walls

Isabella's POV:

"We've managed to temporarily stabilize him for now, but we are not out of the woods yet. He has a 50-50% chance of survival in his current state as he might never wake up from this coma."

"To increase his chances of survival, we will have to replace his damaged heart within the next three months or risk losing him forever." He ended with a grave look.

I breathed shakily, my palms sweaty yet cold. "H-How much is the surgery?"

"The surgery will cost you $250,000." He responded.

It wrecked me as he delivered that last crushing blow to my soul.

My heart dropped to my stomach as I crumbled to the floor, spent. It felt like a piece inside of me had begun to wither as the reality of the situation weighed down on me like a brooding fiend.

I could possibly loose my father within the next ninety days.

He had been the only one there for me after my mother upped and left us two decades ago..

Offering a sincere apology, the doctor exited the room, giving me enough privacy to deal with the news. It was all crashing down on me, much too fast.

Tears pooled in my eyes, remembering.

I was just five at the time and couldn't process much of what was going on. Whenever I asked Dad about Mum, he always responded by telling me she had gone on a long vacation and would be back soon.

At the tender age of ten, I finally mustered up the courage to ask him to tell me the truth, assuring him I could handle it.

Taking a deep breath, he informed me that she left us. It crushed me even as I asked him why she did that. He had replied saying she never gave a real explanation.

Ever since then, it had been the two of us against the world, thick as thieves.

He gifted me a cake on every birthday and showed up at every major event. He was always present as a proud father to all of my graduations, showing up when it mattered most. He had been my strongest rock and supporter.

And now that he needed me the most, I didn't know how to be there for him.

As if just remembering what the doctor said, I took out my phone and went through my banking apps. I had a grand total of $100,000. I gripped the phone tightly as the first drop fell, then the next.

Putting it away, I was soon a crying mess on the floor.

Where the heck was I supposed to get $150,000?!

I couldn't afford to let the only man that had ever loved me more than I deserved, die like that, but I really didn't know what to do. Even if I sold my car and worked two jobs, it still wouldn't be enough.

Feeling utterly hopeless, I broke into another fit of tears. I stayed in that position for a long while before I could eventually collect myself. Sniffling as I got up, I walked over to where my father lay.

Looking down at his frail form with red puffy eyes as I stood at the side of his bed, I could hardly believe my eyes. For someone so full of life, he seemed so close to death with his pale skin and shut eyes.

Dressed in a plain hospital gown, the only thing signifying life in the otherwise quiet room was the steady rise and fall of his chest and the constant beeping of the monitor. I couldn't bear seeing him like this.

Clasping his left hand in mine, it was deathly cold. I sat down on the chair beside his bed.

"I will not let you die like this Dad. I will do everything within my power to see you open your eyes and walk on your two feet again."

Placing a single kiss on his hand, I crossed the room quickly and walked out the door, heading down to the doctor's office to discuss payment plans.

***

Hours later, I found myself in front of a popular nightclub, Omnia.

I smacked my head lightly. Ugh! I still can't believe I let Casperella talk me into this!

Dressed in a red knee length gown with my hair let down and only a thousand dollars left to my name, my blonde haired bestie had talked me into drinking away my pain before figuring out a solution.

Needless to say, she had a good talk. I was going to drink my heart out for tonight.

Walking into the large building, the booming music reached my ears first. It was a fast paced beat that had you swaying to the music as the vibrations made you shake.

Making my way through the sweaty bodies of the evening clubbers, I quickly found myself a seat at the bar.

I called out to the bartender. "I would like a shot of vodka."

Seconds later, I was downing the first shot of my drink. The liquid flowed down my throat in one swift motion, leaving a burning feeling in its wake.

"Another." I slid my glass over the bar, getting a refill almost immediately. I didn't want to think.

That was gone in seconds as well.

Slightly buzzed, I felt like dancing. So, I lightly stumbled over to the dance floor, swaying my hips to the fast beat with a hand in the air. Soon, a random guy joined me. Too buzzed to care, I ignored his presence.

We continued dancing for a few minutes before I heard them.

"Oh my gosh.. Is- Is he... Drunk?" A girl gushed. Her cheeks were tinged red, blushing as she looked at someone.

"I think so. This will make a great story: 'Multibillionaire Xander Velasquez Found Drunk At A Random Highbrow Club.' How does that sound?" Another one giggled as I rolled my eyes.

They were talking about my billionaire Boss, Xander Velasquez, as rumours began circulating.

Following the direction of their eyes, I spotted him quickly. Turning on my heels, I walked over to him. He seemed to be having a hard time staying awake as he blinked repeatedly.

Getting to him, I leaned down and said, "Sir, I'll be taking you home now. Rumours are beginning to spread about you. Do you think you can walk on your own?"

Nothing. He seemed dazed simply staring at me as he struggled to keep his eyes open.

Cutting my eyes to Ethan-Mr Velasquez's male personal assistant and my colleague, I signaled to him to help me out as I bent to help him up. He came over and immediately, we helped him to his feet and out of the club.

After successfully placing him in the car and shutting the door, Ethan thanked me before rushing over to the driver's seat. Once he was settled in, I lightly tapped the roof of the car twice, alerting him to move as he drove off.

Aware of my busy schedule ahead, I paid for my drinks and drove down to my apartment.

As my head hit the fluffy pillows, I couldn't help but think:

What a day!