The Billionaire Who Stole My Heart novel (Brittany and Isaac)

Kari stepped through the door, her face lit up with curiosity.

"I might have gone a bit heavy on the chili in tonight's spicy crab dish. Didn't want you to find out," Willa quickly gathered her thoughts.

Kari let out a chuckle, "That's perfect, I've been really into spicy food lately."

The mother-daughter duo headed to the kitchen, while Ronald stood in the living room, his gaze lowered.

Willa was determined not to let Kari find out, and Ronald didn't dare say more.

At dinner, Kari devoured the meal with gusto.

Ronald and Willa, burdened with their own worries, barely touched their food, exchanging glances.

Kari was overjoyed, thinking she hit the jackpot with the extra serving of crab.

After a hearty meal, Kari went back to her room to shower.

"Ronald, you need to focus on your studies. The SATs are right around the corner. Don't let this mess with your head."

Willa was aware of Ronald's deep thoughts and didn't want his performance affected.

Ronald remained silent.

Over the next few weeks, Willa made occasional trips to the hospital, but to little avail.

Ronald kept persuading her to seek medical attention, and finally, he managed to take her to the hospital, only to learn the treatment would cost tens of thousands. Willa adamantly refused. "Ronald, we don't have that kind of money. Besides, you and Kari are still young. Even if we did, I wouldn't spend it on myself."

Willa refused further hospital visits, and Ronald couldn't convince her otherwise.

Kari was none the wiser.

Before they knew it, the SATs arrived. After the exams, Ronald left all his savings behind and headed south, claiming he was going to work over the summer break. Kari found it hard to adjust.

Worried about her getting into trouble, Willa sent her to a prep course.

Kari, busy with her studies, failed to notice Willa's worsening condition.

Willa didn't touch Ronald's money, not wanting to spend his hard-earned savings.

After the SATS, Willa went back to work at the factory, only to faint several times. Her superiors were displeased and eventually fired her.

Preferring to compensate rather than keep her on.

Willa had anticipated this day. She took the money home, planning to cook dinner, but blacked out and collapsed to the floor.

The sound of items crashing to the ground filled the room.

Time passed before the door burst open.

"Mom, I'm home-Mom!"

Kari, seeing Willa on the floor, panicked, scrambled over, and lifted her up, noticing Willa's pallid complexion. Without hesitation, Kari dialed 911.

The ambulance arrived quickly, and

Willa

follow whisked away, with Kari

in a daze, watching as

paramedics worked on her mother.

Sitting in a corner of the ambulance, Kari trembled.

She couldn't understand why this was happening. Everything was fine, so why the sudden collapse?

This was a first for Kari, who bit her lip to stop it from quivering, tears streaming down her face uncontrollably.

At the hospital, Willa was rushed into the emergency room.

Kari waited outside, tense, her mind a complete mess. After what felt like an eternity, her phone rang.

She answered.

"Kari, I've been trying to call home. Why's no one picking up?"

"Brother, Mom collapsed..." Kari burst into tears, "What do I do?" There was a pause on the other end.

Then, amidst faint background noises,

me Ronald's calm voice.et

"Kari, send me the hospital's

address. I'm on my way. Don't panic, just stay calm-"

Hearing Ronald's voice, Kari felt a wave of relief: "Okay."

Ronald arrived in the early hours of the next morning.

After emergency treatment, Willa's life was saved.

As the doctor rattled off a series of medical terms, Kari's head buzzed.

Kidney failure.

Intermediate stage.

Without treatment, she wouldn't survive another year.

Seeing Kari's pale face, the doctor

hesitated to say more, only advise her to decide quickly about

treatment. ing

Ronald, seeing Kari on the verge of collapse, supported her, "Don't be scared, I'm here now."