Summer felt chills all over her back. "What does that mean? If she can’t have the surgery within six months, then what happens?"
"I won’t give you a false hope, Miss Wright," he said with a grave tone. "Her condition is not good. If the surgery is not done within that time frame, her chances of survival will drop even further."
Summer pressed her fingers against her lips, tears welling up in her eyes.
"We’ve already added her name to the transplant list," Ashton continued. "But finding a compatible donor could take some time."
"Please, doctor, save her," she pleaded, her voice faltering. "She is my only child, the light of my life. I can’t lose her." She broke into tears.
"That’s why we recommended that new set of medications. I hope the nurse has already discussed with you."
"Yes," Summer replied, pulling her gaze down to her fingers. "She did."
Ashton studied her face and sensed her unease. "Is there a problem?" he asked.
Summer pursed her lips. "It’s...This is expensive," she started slowly, hesitantly. "I don’t know... If I keep buying these medicines, I won’t have anything left for the surgery."
She raised her eyes at him, a hint of helplessness flashing in them.
"I understand you," Ashton said with empathy. "But those medications are essential to keep Hope stable and free from pain until the surgery. Anyway, the decision is yours. We won’t pressure you to continue the course. However, given her current state, Hope’s condition may gradually worsen without these medications, and I am afraid she may not be able to hold on until we find a suitable donor."
At that, Summer’s heart clenched painfully. "No... please continue the treatment," she said quickly. "I’ll find a way to get the money."
Ashton nodded. "I’ll discuss Hope’s matter in our next meeting with the director. I’m sure he will be ready to help in finding a suitable donor for her." After a brief pause, he added, "I’ll talk to him personally if he can offer any concession."
Ashton sighed, a sympathetic look crossing his face.
Summer’s legs were heavy as she strode down the hallway in a daze, her mind reeling. She didn’t know how she returned to the ward.
Chloe moved over to her sister, her chest tightening with worry as she saw Summer’s pale face. "What happened?" she asked in a hushed tone. "What did the doctor say? Is Hope going to be okay?"
Summer almost started crying, barely able to hold back her tears. "She needs the surgery within six months," she choked out. "If we don’t find a suitable donor, I don’t know what will happen."
Chloe’s face was also ashen at the revelation. She wanted to do something desperately to help her sister, to take the burden off her shoulders a bit.
"Summer, please, calm down. You have to stay strong. I’m sure the hospital will find a donor."
Summer blinked her tears away. "I hope so," she breathed. "For that, we need money – a lot of money."
Her eyes were vacant. She didn’t know whether she could continue the expensive course of medication and save money for the surgery side by side.
"Don’t worry," Chloe said, "we’ll find a way. I’ve saved some of my scholarship money every month. It’s not much, but I have some savings. Besides, I’m starting a part-time job from tomorrow. We’ll arrange money for her surgery."
Summer’s expression changed at the mention of a part-time job. "I told you already – you are not doing any part-time job," she chided her.
"Why?" Chloe protested. "All my friends are doing it, earning their pocket money. I also want to do something to help you, to contribute a bit to meet the family expenses, and to help you in gathering money for Hope’s surgery. Why are you stopping me?"
Summer couldn’t tell her what she had experienced in her past life. When she learned she had been reborn, she had vowed to protect her family at any cost. She wouldn’t let her sister fall into a trap of any mafia boss and experience the same pain and humiliation as in the past.
"Look, you should only focus on your study," Summer said sternly. "Let me carry the burden of income."
She took Chloe’s hands in hers. "I got a promotion. The pay is double my previous salary. Furthermore, I’m getting the orders for design drawings. I’ll work hard and arrange the money for Hope’s treatment. Besides, we can sell Mom’s flower shop if needs arise."
Despite the uncertainty, she flashed a reassuring smile, reaching out to rub her arms. "Don’t think about getting a job and contributing to the family income. Once you graduate, you can look for a job. I’ll help you find one. But not now. Do you understand?" Read the latest chapters at NovelPing.
Chloe didn’t like the idea. She wanted to help Summer as she couldn’t watch her sister working day and night, burdened with the weight of the family expenses. But she also knew Summer wouldn’t listen to her.
"Fine," she said reluctantly. "I’ll focus on my study." Inwardly, she vowed to take the part-time job.
"Go home," Summer urged. "I’ll manage here."
Chloe nodded and left obediently.
Summer let out a deep sigh as she watched her sister leave. "I hope you will not do anything stupid."
She turned back to Hope and found her fast asleep. She shrugged and sat down on the chair next to the bed, pulling out her sketch book.
Later that night...
Summer almost dozed off when her phone rang loudly inside her bag, making her jolt upright. Disoriented, she glanced around and found her sketch book still lying open on the side of Hope’s bed.
The ring went on. Worried it might wake Hope, she hurriedly dug it out from her bag and stepped into the corner of the ward.
An unfamiliar number glowed on the screen. Confused about who would be calling her at this hour, she answered cautiously, "Hello? Who is this?"
"Miss Summer Wright?" A man’s voice came through. "Mr. Woods is drunk. Come to the Onyx and take him away."
"Wait, what—?"
But before she could finish, the line disconnected.
Summer frowned at the phone with shock and disbelief. "Who is this man? And how did he know me?"