“What…
happened to my dad?” I asked in panic.
“Don’t you know?” she asked, looking confused.
“I saw your mom calling you so many times,” she said, raising her eyebrows.
Regret washed over me.
I remembered all the missed calls from Mom, How could I be so self-centered?
But she hadn’t told me anything this morning.
Seeing me remain silent, she continued, “Your dad was admitted to the hospital.” “What happened to him?” I asked restlessly.
“I don’t know.” “I just know he fainted last night and was taken to the hospital.” Without wasting another second, I ran back toward my house.
As soon as I entered, I saw Mom crying.
The moment she saw me, she quickly wiped away her tears.
“Why are you back?” she asked.
“What happened to Dad?” I asked, ignoring her question.
She panicked for a second.
“Who told you?” she asked.
“It doesn’t matter,” I replied quickly.
“Why didn’t you tell me about Dad this morning?” “I didn’t want to burden you,” she said softly.
“I heard you were in the hospital too.” “Yes, but that was nothing.
I’m completely fine,” I said, trying to reassure her.
“Please, Mom, tell me what happened to Dad.” “The doctors said he has severe coronary artery disease.” “He needs surgery as soon as possible,” Mom said.
“Then what are we waiting for?
Let’s do the surgery.” “It’s not that simple, Sophia.
It’s very expensive,” Mom said.
“So what?
Can’t we afford it?” “No, dear.
Our company is going through heavy losses.” “We’re going through financial problems?
Then why didn’t you tell me earlier?” “What would you have done even if you had known?” I opened my mouth to argue, but no words came out.
Perhaps she was right, and that hurt to admit.
I never knew they had been going through such a difficult time all alone.
“What are we going to do now?” I asked anxiously.
“I don’t know either,” Mom said.
“Mom, I want to visit Dad,” I said after a pause.
She nodded.
I could see how much all of this was stressing her.
I wish I could help.
After Mom took a shower, we went to the hospital.
We then went to the room where my father had been admitted.
The moment I entered, my heart sank.
He looked so weak lying there.
Tears started forming in my eyes.
I slowly stepped toward him.
“Dad,” I said in a low voice.
He then turned toward me and gave me a smile.
He was still trying to pretend he was okay, even in this condition.
“Why are you crying?
I’m completely fine.” That only made me cry harder.
The thought that we didn’t have enough money for his surgery made me feel helpless.
I then sat beside him.
He wiped my tears.
I gently held his hand.
“Dad, you’ll be alright.
I won’t let anything happen to you.” He nodded.
A few moments later, the doctor walked into the room.
“Excuse me.
We need to check on the patient,” he said politely.
We quietly left the room so the doctor could examine Dad.
“Sophia,” I heard someone say.
I turned.
It was Ryan’s grandmother.