Chapter: 13

Her lips were cracked and bleeding from a day's dehydration. Only then did she realize she hadn't drank a single drop of water that day.

"I'm sorry, but that's’ not an option," Casey replied helplessly. "I really want to help you, but you know your mother's condition. Neither of you have any fixed assets, so the hospital won't push through with the surgery without demanding the payment upfront. You have to understand that."

Truth be told, Bethany had expected such an answer. She really had nothing to her name.

"You should go and eat something first. I'll keep an eye on your mother. She'll be in the ICU tonight, and since you'll be the only one looking after her, you need to take care of yourself."

Bethany nodded and thanked her in a small voice.

But she had no appetite, so she only went out to buy a bottle of water. As she was paying for it with her phone, it suddenly rang.

Tiredly glancing at the unknown number, her eyes lit up with recognition. It was the number she tried to call earlier-Jonathan's number.

Bethany quickly answered the phone, filled with anticipation.

“Jonathan—"

"Excuse me, but who is this?"

It wasn't Jonathan's voice on the other end of the line; it was his secretary's.

Bethany was a little disappointed, but she figured it was still worth a shot. "Hi, I'm Mr. Bates’ classmate, Bethany Holt. Can you let him know that I called? I really need to talk to him."

“Okay, Miss Holt," the secretary replied politely. “Is there anything else I can do for you?"

"No, thank you."

After hanging up, Bethany let her arms drop to her sides, suddenly understanding why her mother had jumped off a building that day.

When someone is backed into a corner by all kinds of emergencies, death can seem like the only option.

That night, it was especially cold in the hospital.

Bethany, who was slumped over the chair next to her mother's bed, suddenly woke up with a start, realizing guiltily that she had drifted off to sleep.

She stood up and carefully tucked her mother in.

Then, she checked her phone. It turned out that Aimee had left a bunch of messages.

“Bethany, don't worry. I called my parents, and they promised to lend you another two hundred thousand. So, now you'll have four hundred thousand! Let's do this one step at a time, okay? I'll contact other friends tomorrow. I'm sure we'll be able to raise enough money in no time!"

"Hey, Bethany? Where are you? Why haven't you replied? You're starting to scare me. You'd better not do anything stupid!"

“Bethany Holt! I've landed in Odonset already. I'm going to my parents’ house to get the money, so hang in there!"

Bethany quickly got up and left the ICU to call Aimee back.