The Billionaire Who Stole My Heart

Tears streamed down Kari's face as she looked up at her brother. "Ronald, what do we do?"

Ronald wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a comforting hug. "Don't be scared, I'm here." He had made up his mind; he was going to get Willa the treatment she needed.

That very day, Willa started her first round of treatments.

Ronald withdrew $50,000, handing it all over to the hospital to cover the initial medical expenses.

Kari had never seen so much money in her life. The thought that it was Ronald's savings made her heart ache even more. "Ronald, I'm so sorry."Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

This money was Ronald's scholarship funds.

He was always frugal, hardly ever spending on himself.

"Willa has looked after me all these years, just like my own mother would have. She deserves this," Ronald reassured Kari, pulling her close. "Willa's going to get better. You just focus on your studies, got it?"

Kari couldn't shake a bad feeling. "But Ronald, after spending all this money, how will you afford school?"

Ronald took a deep breath. "I've found a job out of town, it pays well."

"I'll earn enough for my tuition."

The situation drained Kari too. "Ronald, I promise, I'll study hard and make money for you."

When Willa woke up and learned about Ronald's decision, she felt a mix of gratitude and guilt.

"Willa, you have to get better," Ronald said gently, his patience evident. "You're like my real mother. If you don't get better, Kari and I will be all alone."

Willa's eyes welled up with tears.

Thanks to the timely treatment, Willa's condition improved significantly.

However, for a complete recovery, she needed a kidney transplant.

Ronald found out that a transplant would cost hundreds of thousands, not to mention finding a compatible donor.

Ronald stayed in the hospital for a few days before returning to work.

He sent money home every month, and during their nightly video calls, Kari could see the exhaustion in his eyes.

Willa, feeling guilty for not providing a better life for the children and now seeing Ronald bear so much, couldn't sleep at night.

Then came the day the SAT scores were announced.

Ronald had excelled, securing the top spot in science across the city.

He got accepted into Haven College with a full-tuition scholarship.

It was a huge relief.

Kari quit her tutoring classes to devote more time to care for Willa.

Willa's health gradually improved.

Just when things seemed to be getting better, tragedy struck one stormy night.

Ronald was involved in a car accident on his way home and was knocked into the river.

His body was never found.

Upon hearing the news, Kari rushed to the scene, only to be turned away by the police, who were investigating Ronald's disappearance. Staring into the dark waters, Kari felt a deep sense of loss. The river was not just water; it was a monster that had taken her brother.

After days of searching with no sign of Ronald, and the driver responsible also missing, presumed dead, Kari wanted to pursue legal action but couldn't afford the attorney fees.

Eventually, the driver's family settled, paying $2,000, and the case was closed.

Kari couldn't believe a life could be valued so low.

Leaving the police station, she collapsed onto the cold ground,

overwhelmed by the thought of net

brother's last moments in the chilling waters.

With Rowilla and Kari. Willa could

With Ronald gone, life became even

harder for

no longer work, so Kari took on the

responsibility of providing for

Her school, sympathetic to her situation, waived her tuition fees, but the cost of living was a constant struggle.

...

Meanwhile, in Imperial City.

"What, they found that illegitimate child?"