Chapter 3: At the Hospital

The trip to the hospital felt so long. Amy bit her lower lip while praying that her parents and sister would be okay. She was worried because the hospital staff who contacted her said that her parents and sister were treated in the emergency room (ER). If they only had slight wounds, surely they wouldn’t stay in the ER.

“Amy, everything will be alright. Don’t worry.” Jacob squeezed Amy’s hand.

She nodded while still sobbing. “I hope so.”

They didn’t speak anymore until they arrived at the hospital. Jacob and Amy rushed inside to go to the registration department. There was no queue, so they could go straight in.

“I’m Amy Brooke. I just got a call from here, probably from the registration staff. She said my parents (Peter and Melanie Brooke) and my sister (Jillian Brooke) had a car accident and are now in the ER.” Amy took a deep breath and shed her tears. “Is the information correct?”

The registration staff did not immediately respond. “Wait a moment, please. Let me check our data first. Please wait and I’ll notify you soon.”

Amy nodded. She stumbled when she wanted to walk to the waiting seats. Jacob caught her hand and led her to sit in the provided waiting chairs. In a frantic state of mind, Amy couldn’t think straight. She could only pray that everything would be alright, that it might be only a cruel joke or nightmare.

He put his arm around her waist and whispered comforting words. “Relax, everything will be fine. We’ll just need to wait.”

After a while, Amy finally calmed down. She waited to hear from the registration staff, and it felt like hours. Amy watched the staff calling someone and nodding. After about half an hour, a doctor came into the registration office. The hospital staff spoke to the doctor, then nodded and glanced at Amy and Jacob’s direction.

The doctor and staff walked over to Amy and Jacob. After nodding, the registration staff said, “Ms. Brooke, this is Doctor Benjamin who takes care of Mr. Peter, Mrs. Melanie, and Ms. Jillian Brooke. I will let the doctor explain everything. I must take my leave now.” Afterward, the staff returned to her office.

Doctor Benjamin shook hands with Amy and Jacob. “Ms. Brooke, please sit down first.” After they sat, Doctor Benjamin said, “I’m really sorry. Mr. Peter and Mrs. Melanie couldn’t make it. When they were brought to the hospital, they were bleeding badly, and there was nothing we could do. I’m sorry that Mr. Peter and Mrs. Melanie already passed away when they arrived at our hospital.”

Amy’s tears burst in no time. Jacob hugged Amy and squeezed her shoulders. Everything was gloomy, and she couldn’t find words to say. After a while, Amy finally asked through her sobs, “Then what about Jillian, Doctor?”

“Ms. Jillian is still in the ER. We strive to stop the bleeding. Yet a special operation is needed for that which cannot be postponed any longer. We need signatures from the immediate family for the approval of the operation.”

Amy nodded with a sob. “Okay, Doctor, I agree for my sister to have surgery. Where should I sign?”

“I will take the forms and the agreement letter.” Doctor Benjamin got up from his seat and returned to the registration office. Before long, he returned with a folder. He issued a statement containing information about Jillian and a statement of consent from the patient’s family for the operation. Amy quickly signed everything, as she knew time was crucial. Every second might determine Jillian’s life or death.

“Can Jillian recover, Doctor? Will the operation work to save her life?” Amy looked at Doctor Benjamin with blurry eyes because her tears kept flowing down. “Please save my sister, Doctor. I beg you. She’s my only family now.” She sobbed again.

“We will give our best, Ms. Brooke. The rest, we leave it to God. I will prepare surgery for Jillian now. After the operation, I will give you more information on her condition.”

Amy nodded. “Yes, thank you, Doctor.”

After that, the doctor left them. Amy and Jacob waited for hours. It was one at dawn. “Jacob, you go home first. The operation may take a long time.”

He shook his head. “I will wait here.”

When Amy was about to argue, Jacob’s cell phone suddenly rang. He quickly glanced at his phone screen. “My mom. I have to pick this up,” Jacob said to Amy. “Hello, Mom?”

“Jacob, where are you? Why don’t you come home? What time is it now?” Jacob’s mother grumbled.

“Mom, I accompany Amy. Oh, yes, she has accepted my proposal.” Jacob glanced at Amy with a smile and reached out to hold and squeeze her hand.

“That’s great! When are you guys getting married? I wonder if we must have a speedy wedding. Did you already impregnate her?” Jacob’s mother asked non-stop.

Jacob chuckled and shook his head. “Oh, Mom, no! I’m in the hospital right now. There’s been car accidents. Uncle Peter and Aunt Melanie died in an accident. Amy’s sister is currently waiting for surgery.”

“What? Good grief!” Jacob’s mom said. “I understand. You should stay with Amy until it’s clear what her situation is. If, for example, she becomes the heir to her family’s business, you two should get married right away. The sooner, the better.”

Jacob took a deep breath. “Mom, don’t rush. Amy still has to take care of her sister and graduate first.”

“Her sister is the blind one, right?” Jacob’s mother let out a tsk sound. “Ouch, it will bother you later when you marry Amy. Ah, but that’s okay. You can pay a nurse to take care of her sister.” After a moment of silence, she continued her words. “If Amy doesn’t inherit her family business, or it becomes a difficult situation for you to continue your relationship with her, cut ties with her. Understand?!”

“Mom!” Jacob protested. He took a deep breath then stood up and walked farther from Amy. Afterward, he let out a heavy sigh. “How can I leave Amy in her difficult condition? She’s my fiancee.”

“You’ve been dating her only for three months. If you find a better partner, you should definitely leave her.”

Jacob couldn’t argue with what his mother said though he disagreed with her. He said nothing because he knew it was useless to argue. “Let’s just pray that everything will be fine, Mom. Alright then. I want to accompany Amy again. Let’s talk again tomorrow.”

“Remember what I said. If she will be a burden, leave her! There are still many eligible women who can be your wife. I like Amy only because she is the heir to the family business. If she turns out to be poor, why are you still with her? It’ll be just a waste of time.” After that, Jacob’s mother hung up the phone.

Jacob put his phone back into his trouser pocket and returned to Amy. “My mom asked me to tell you she was happy for our engagement and expressed her condolences too. She prayed that Jillian's operation would work well.” He lied to Amy because it was impossible for him to tell her the truth.

She nodded and smiled a little. “Please say my thanks to your mother. Maybe if Jillian’s surgery goes well, I’ll come over to your parents’ house to thank her in person.”

“Just relax. The important thing now is Jillian’s recovery.”

After that, they said nothing and continued waiting. Jacob nodded off in a chair until Amy pitied him. She touched his shoulder. “Sleep first. We can take turns later.”

Jacob yawned and nodded. “Okay. Wake me up three hours later. It’s your turn to rest, and I will wait for the doctor.”

Amy nodded. Jacob leaned his back against the chair. After he closed his eyes, his breathing soon became regular, showing that he had fallen asleep. Amy took a deep breath. So many thoughts were in her mind. Her only hope was Jillian’s operation would be successful.