Chapter 28

“What’s wrong, sis?” Haylan furrowed his brow as he looked at Floris with concern.

“It’s nothing. My husband is working overtime today and can’t come to take care of our child. I can handle it alone,” Floris forced a smile to hide her inner turmoil.

Despite her efforts, the smile on Floris’s face looked lonely and betrayed her inner turmoil.

Haylan’s frown deepened as he noticed it.

He couldn’t shake off the feeling that something was amiss between Floris and her husband, but since she didn’t elaborate further, he didn’t feel comfortable probing.

Just then, a nurse walked into the room and addressed Floris with a cold tone, “Floris Hammond, you need to pay the bill now.”

Floris asked politely, “Excuse me, how much is it?”

“4,600 dollars. And remember, you cannot give your child any food or water after 10 PM tonight. The surgery is scheduled for tomorrow!” the nurse replied sternly.

“Now, please go and settle the payment.”

The nurse left firmly, without any hint of compassion in her voice.

After the nurse left, Floris looked pale. Her hands trembled as she clutched the edge of the hospital bed, her eyes filling with tears.

“What’s the matter with Tracy? What sort of ailment is she grappling with that calls for surgery?” Haylan inquired, creasing his brows with concern.

At the sight, Tracy recoiled in terror and hastily sought refuge behind Floris, obstructing Haylan’s view of the nature of her affliction.

“She’s grappling with pneumonia and pediatric hernia. While the former can be remedied with injections, the latter necessitates surgical intervention. Floris conveyed with a troubled countenance.

The thought gnawed at her, causing her anguish as she pondered, “How on earth are we going to come up with the exorbitant sum of money required?”

“Having acquired some rudimentary medical knowledge over the past eight years, let me examine Tracy. Perhaps there has been a misdiagnosis.” Haylan suggested with earnestness.

Floris shook her head in dissent. “It’s unnecessary. We’ve already consulted with numerous medical professionals who have verified the diagnosis, and surgery is the only viable course of action,” she replied firmly.

“I’ll phone my husband and request him to transfer the requisite amount,” she added, determined to leave no stone unturned in securing the funds for Tracy’s treatment.

As she spoke, she stepped out of the doorway to place the call.

Tracy harbored a palpable apprehension about being alone with Haylan and hence endured the agony of her ailment to remain steadfastly entrenched in her mother’s comforting embrace.

foiled, and he was denied the opportunity to assess her condition without the presence of

the ward, Floris absented herself for a prolonged interval to avoid any chance encounter with Haylan and then whispered furtively on the

urgently need financial assistance. Could you kindly extend

Chapter 28

came the regretful response from

in providing me with a loan.” She appealed, her voice laced with a

Hammond, are you here to solicit another loan from me? How many times have you approached me for financial assistance this month? I cannot oblige your request,

dire need of a loan. Would you be able to extend your

months behind on your rent! Let me warn you, if you fail to pay your dues by tomorrow, you will be evicted!” bellowed

three months’ rent? Outrageous! Begone!” sneered the landlord, his tone laced with contempt and disdain.

Despite reaching out to over thirty individuals, she was met with nothing but refusals and reluctance to extend any

the brink of tears, Floris slumped onto a chair

she contemplated, feeling utterly defeated and at a

be forced to

It’s all my fault. I’m

daughter tight as tears flowed freely down her face.

overhearing her sobs and deliberately distanced herself from him as she wept, her despair weighing heavily on

brimming with tears as he struggled to contain

emotions.

hearing in particular honed to a remarkable

of hearing, Haylan could discern even the slightest disturbance up to

placed atop his chest, rendering it almost unbearable. The thought dawned on

realized that his usually strong-willed sister was now compelled to conceal her predicament and cry privately to

overcome with heartbreak, particularly for his sister, as he realized the depths of her struggles and

Floris would set aside candies for him to relish, and when the family slaughtered

18:39 1

Chapter 28

legs for

realization that his beloved sister was now living in such dire straits filled Haylan with unbearable discomfort

away his tears and strode out of the room with determination. He made his way. directly to the hospital’s payment office, where he promptly paid 20 thousand

unused portion of the medical expenses could be refunded, and Haylan was not deterred by the prospect of paying

he walked back, Haylan pondered over the situation,

unless absolutely necessary.

to avoid resorting

which constituted a form

hernia was essentially a misplaced intestinal tract and that traditional medicine.

thought of inflicting any harm upon his little niece was unbearable

have you no conscience? Why didn’t you inform me of

sooner?”

not have allowed Tracy to follow you back then. You, a penniless and destitute woman with

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255