Chapter 1 - Chapter One The Untold Pains

Chapter One – The untold pains Sniffing The morning sun poured gently through the tall glass windows of the Richard's Mansion, spilling across polished floors and brushing against the milk colour curtains that danced ever so slightly with the breeze. How will i be able to earn more money, for Danny treatment. Victorine said to herself. Tears welled up her eyes as she head towards the living room, her body Is present but her mind isn't she carried a heavy debts and burden that troubles her. The house was still, save for the soft sound of a vacuum and the light scent of fresh vanilla polish. Victorine moved quietly through the sitting room, her hands moved as you neatly arranged and dust the living room.(parlour) She looked at her reflection in the window. Once a lively girl plump and cute with her emerald eyes and rare white hair, is now lean and ugly the only thing that is looking attractive is her white long hair and charming eyes. She'd been in this house for nearly a year now, long enough to know every corner of the building. The Richard's Mr Alex Richards and Mrs Juliana Richards — were kind in their own way. Their marriage was most girls and ladies dream marriage. They have been married about three years and are still winning the awards of the ideal couple. From the staircase, Juliana's soft voice drifted down. A lady of about 5.2 height tall,slim,with elegant stature. And her black short hair gave her a unique face. She is in her early thirties. Victorine, honey, make sure the vegetables for tonight's dinner are washed and picked properly,I will be making dinner myself. Why the sad face?.She asked. Nothing ma'am, Victorine replied while deep down her mind is restless she owes a lot to this couple. And please, water the lilies in the conservatory. I noticed they're beginning to fade. "Yes, ma'am,Victorine replied with a polite smile, lowering her gaze as Juliana descended the stairs, her silk green gown catching the light like liquid gold. Alex followed shortly after 6.7 tall man,fair and hairy skinned with his blue eyes and well combed hair looking demeour in his well pressed black suit. Smiles to his wife. "Ready?" he asked his wife softly, holding the car keys. His voice, though gentle, carried a weight of reassuring smile— the kind that comes when hope has been tested too many times. Juliana gave a small nod, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Another round," she murmured, almost to herself. Victorine watched as they stepped out together, the door closing softly behind them. She sighed, glancing around the quiet house her mind still worried. The sound of a Mercedes maybach car engine faded down the street, leaving behind a silence that seemed almost too thick for comfort. Victorine stood by the doorway for a moment, her hands resting against the cool frame, before turning back into the house. She started cleaning and arranging things the way it pleases her boss. Should I ask Mrs Juliana for help she kind and good to me. Maybe she will offer help to me even it means spending my entire life working for them. Her brother's face flashed in her mind. Daniel. Only fifteen, yet already worn thin by hospital walls and the sharp scent of disinfectant. His laughter, once bright and cheeky, had turned too skinny cause of illness if only there parents were alive. Victorine wiped a tear that threatened to fall, shaking her head as if the act itself could chase the sadness away. "You'll be fine," she whispered to no one, to him, to herself. "You'll be fine, Danny." She walked into the conservatory, watering the lilies just as Juliana had asked. The white petals were drooping, faintly spotted with brown. They reminded her of the woman who had just left — beautiful, but tired. Juliana Richards had everything a woman could dream of: a loving husband, fame as a painter, money enough to buy peace. Yet, Victorine had seen the truth hidden in her eyes — that quiet ache of someone whose arms longed to hold a child. By midday, the house she was done with chores,she was making meal for herself and her brother when, her phone buzzed she looked at it It was a message from the hospital. Her heart jumped. She grabbed it with trembling hands, reading the words slowly: "Miss Victorine Hollow, the results for your brother's test are out. Please come to the hospital as soon as you can." Her stomach tightened. Cause she knew anytime such messages comes from the hospital it means bad news. Without a second thought, she grabbed her bag, and dashed into the street of London with a wearily and praying heart. The street of London is filled with people going about their day,chatting and streaming noises the street is alive. But Victorine was lost in thought she just want to reach to the hospital. She didn't know it yet, but that single afternoon — that single phone call — would lead her straight into a deal that would change everything. The hospital was busy filled with doctors and nurses walking around and some running to save their patients. And scents of methylated spirit and disinfectant fill the air that makes up the hospital. She hurried past the wards before her brother own , clutching her worn handbag close to her chest. Her heart was racing — half from fear, half from hope. When she reached Daniel's ward, she paused by the door, trying to gather herself. He was there lying on the bed, pale as white with tubes running from his arm to a machine that beeped softly beside him. Yet, when he saw her, his lips curled into a small smile. "vicky," he whispered. "You're here." "Of course I am," she said, forcing brightness into her voice. "Where else would I be?" He gave a weak laugh that turned into a cough. "You've got work. You shouldn't keep running down here." Victorine brushed a hand across his forehead. Don't worry about that. I got it covered just focus on recovery Before she could say more, the door opened and Dr. Henry stepped in with a kind-faced man in his late fifties; who had been treating Daniel for months. He smiled at Victorine, signaling to come to his office, though his eyes told her everything before he even spoke. "Miss Hollow," he began softly, "we've reviewed Daniel's latest results." He hesitated, adjusting his glasses. "The medication has helped, but it's not enough. The only real option left is a bone marrow transplant." Victorine's heart sank. "A transplant?" "Yes," he replied. "It's his best chance. But it needs to happen soon. The problem is… it's expensive, and we'll need a compatible donor." She felt her throat tighten. Expensive — that word always found a way to crush her. "How much?" she asked, though she could barely push the words out. He sighed, mentioning a figure that made her world blur. It was far beyond anything she could earn, even if she worked day and night for years. She went back to her brother's bed side, Victorine sat beside Daniel's bed in silence, holding his hand. His skin felt cold, fragile. "Don't cry," he whispered slowly. "You always cry when you think I'm asleep." She bit her lip, smiling through her tears. "I'll find a way, Danny. I promise. I don't know how, but I will." Outside, the sky had turned grey, the clouds heavy with rain. Victorine stood by the window, watching raindrops trail down the glass. Each drop felt like a ticking clock, reminding her time was running out. She didn't know that, at that very moment, across the city, Juliana and Alex Richards were sitting in another hospital room — the fertility specialist's office — being told that their third IVF attempt had failed. Two lives, two kinds of pain,tired hearts.