A Love Trap

After finally persuading her grandpa to have some food, Ellie got out of the ward.

"Doctor, how's my grandpa doing?" Ellie asked as she entered the doctor's office, worried.

The doctor recognized Ellie. He had seen her rush to the hospital when that old man was sent here. And since then, she had stayed in the hospital to take care of him. This devotion was rare in this time and age.

"To be frank, his illness can't be cured in our hospital given our current capability. All we can do now is use medicine to prevent his condition from getting worse.

But all medicines have side effects. Even though the medicines we are giving him will allow him to live for months or, at most, a year, his health is going to inevitably get worse. Besides, he's at such an old age that his organs are weak and his ability to absorb medicine is not as good as younger people."

Ellie felt a crushing weight of sorrow as she heard what the doctor had said.

She had deep love for her grandpa, and she hadn't yet gotten the chance to show her respect for him. She didn't expect such a thing to happen to her and didn't know what to do.

But Ellie saw a silver lining in what the doctor had said. She looked up at the doctor in anticipation and said, "You said my grandpa couldn't be cured in your hospital. Do you mean he has a chance of surviving in other hospitals?" Ellie had never been as desperate as she was now.

"Yes. You can see for yourself. The devices we have here are creaky. Maybe your grandpa can be healed if you manage to send him to the more reputed hospitals in J City. They have medical facilities that are way better than ours.

But remember one thing: your grandpa is old and can't afford a long, tiring journey. You may have to think it over if you decide to take him to J City. Also, the cost of treatment in J City is much higher than what you spend here. I'm afraid it's beyond your budget." Watching Ellie take care of her grandpa had told the doctor that she was a kind girl. He liked her, so he wanted to alert her about the problems she might run into.

grandpa's condition in the hope that she could talk him

would do anything to save her grandpa, no matter the cost.

and clear waters. There was no hustle and bustle here, and people tended to

of the street and along it was a creek, by which locals did their laundry. The water was

house and saw her grandma sitting under a tall big pagoda tree immersed in needlework.

said as she walked in. Her grandma looked younger and was in better health than her grandpa. She had taken care of her grandpa day and night and had almost fainted from exhaustion. So Ellie had decided to send her

grandma, Laura, had accepted her decision and went back home. But she insisted on sending three meals

were old now. Whenever she

your grandpa? Can he be discharged?" Laura said as she put down

the hospital, but he hasn't recovered

almost recovered. It's not comfortable for him to stay there. So complete the discharge formalities. I can take care of him

here. It's time for you to go. Or you

out of worry that her work in J City might be delayed. But she couldn't go back to

for me. Don't worry. I won't be fired." She was the boss now. No one could fire

her grandparents now. It

to discuss with you.

"Your grandpa doesn't have any illness. His health is good. He just fell over a