Chapter 4: The Hospital Bills

After staying awake from night until dawn, despite her efforts to stay awake, the mixed feelings of grief, shock, and anxiety were too strong to resist. She stretched to straighten her sore arms, waist, and back. As soon as she opened his eyes, Amy saw Jacob who was still fast asleep.

Amy smiled a little. She touched Jacob’s cheek gently. “Jacob, wake up. It’s morning already.”

Jacob groaned, then took Amy’s hand and held it. “Beautiful. You are beautiful, my dear,” he mumbled at sleep.

Amy stroked Jacob’s cheek and sighed. At least in this tragedy, she was not alone. There was still Jacob beside her. Everything would be fine she said to herself, trying to lift her mood. Jacob was still asleep while holding Amy’s hand.

At that moment, Amy remembered she had not paid the hospital bill. Last night when signing the operation agreement letter, in one form, it was written how much she must pay. The bill already reached ten million for the surgery and the ER handling for his parents and Jillian. The bill hadn’t included the cost of room, drugs, and therapy Jillian would need later if the operation was successful. However, Amy didn’t think of the bill too much, as her sister’s life was the most important.

She had a black credit card that she rarely used. The credit card had no limit and was given to her by her father. Since Amy had never spent more than necessary, she only used a few hundred dollars until a thousand in a month.

When Amy wanted to close the credit card account, her father didn’t allow her. “Just leave it. After all, there is no annual fee. Who knows, someday you will need an emergency fund?”

Amy reached for her tiny bag. She opened her wallet and stared at the black credit card. She shed tears remembering her father’s words. ‘Dad, luckily I followed your words. Now this card can help to pay for hospital fees first until I can get the cash from your bank account.’ Amy whimpered while staring at the credit card. 

Jacob blinked and stretched his arms. He didn’t speak for a while and tried to remember when he was. Later, Jacob saw Amy who looked so devastated, clutching her credit card while crying. “Amy, what’s wrong?” he asked in a hoarse voice because he had just woken up.

Amy hastily wiped her tears with the back of her hand. She shook her head and tried to smile. “I just remembered Dad’s words. I wanted to close this credit card account because I never use it a lot. He forbade it because he said, who knew I would need it for emergency purposes. Now I really need it.”

Jacob let out a sigh. “Hey, don’t worry. Your parents must have provided enough inheritances for you and Jillian. Everything will be fine.”

Amy just nodded though she didn’t know how much his parents’ wealth was. It was because her parents considered her still too young to know about their family’s business and financial affairs.

Jacob went into the lobby to get mint bubblegum, then walked into the restroom to wash his face. He smoothed his hair and chewed on the gum to freshen up his mouth. Seeing that his appearance had been neat enough, Jacob returned to Amy’s side.

Before Jacob could open his mouth, his phone rang. He looked at the screen of his phone, then let out a long sigh. “It’s my mom again.”

“Just pick it up,” Amy said.

So, he picked up the phone. “Hello, Mom. Good morning!”

“Why don’t you come home? Where are you now?” his mother asked.

“I told you last night about Amy’s situation, and currently, I’m still in the hospital. I’ll be home this afternoon.” Jacob yawned and moved his head from side to side to shake off the stiffness.

“Go home now! No need to wait all night long! Silly boy!”

“But, Mom?!”

“I said go home!” After that, Jacob’s mother immediately hung up the phone.

He shook his head and chuckled. “Mom is always like that. If she wants something, everyone must do what she wants.”

Amy forced a smile. She knew Jacob always followed his mother’s order. “Go home. Let me wait here. I think the operation has finished. I’ll tell you later about it.”

“You sure? What do you want me to bring you later?” Jacob reached over to smooth Amy’s hair.

Amy shook her head. “No need. Thank you for accompanying me all night.” She hugged Jacob’s waist and leaned her head to rest for a few seconds on his chest. “What can I do if you weren’t with me?”

He kissed her forehead. “Hey, I’m your fiance. If I don’t accompany you, then what a useless fiance I am?” Jacob pinched the tip of Amy’s nose.

Amy blushed and nodded. “Thank you.”

Just as Jacob was about to answer it, his phone rang again. He cursed and turned off the phone.

“Your mom?”

“Yes.” He nodded. “It seems if I don’t go home soon, she will continue to terrorize me.”

Amy chuckled. “Go home. I’ll let you know when there're any updates on Jillian’s surgery.”

Jacob kissed Amy’s cheek and finally left the hospital. Meanwhile, the hospital staff from the registration department approached Amy. “Good morning, Ms. Brooke. I’m sorry to disturb you, but the bills must be paid immediately.” The staff handed over a folder containing a record of all fees to be paid. Apart from Jillian’s operating expenses and the ER handling, which reached seven million, there was a room fee which had been billed for two weeks. Considering that after surgery the patient could not leave the hospital, the hospital already billed the minimum two weeks’ time. There were doctor’s fees, medicines, and equipment too. The total was ten million dollars.

Amy handed over her credit card. The registration staff immediately swiped her credit card and handed Amy the proof of receipt.

“Excuse me, has Doctor Benjamin come? I want to ask about Jillian’s operation.” Amy rubbed her stiff nape as she slept on a chair all night long.

“From what I heard, the operation went well. Doctor Benjamin left the operating room around two a.m.”

Amy sobbed and nodded. “Thank you for the information.” 

The registration staff nodded and smiled. “I’m going back to the office first, ma’am. Excuse me. Hopefully, your sister will recover soon.”

Amy nodded again. “Thank you so much,” she glanced at the name tag the staff wore, “Ms. Johnson.”

“You’re welcome, Ms. Brooke.”

After that, Amy walked to the hospital cafeteria because she was starving. After saying a short gratitude prayer to God in her heart, she wanted to eat. Last night, Amy was too shocked and anxious. Food was the last thing in her mind. But now, she was relieved after knowing Jillian would survive. So, now Amy wished she could stuff her stomach with any light meals. Unfortunately, the hospital canteen wasn’t opened yet.

Finally, Amy looked for food vendors near the hospital. There was a roasted bread and sausage seller. She ordered it and ate her meal. After paying, she returned to the hospital. When she was back in the waiting room, she saw Ms. Johnson and Doctor Benjamin in the registration office. They saw her too and soon approached Amy.  

“Good morning, Ms. Brooke. I’m pleased to tell you that Ms. Jillian’s surgery went well. She has been moved to the VIP room, room number 305. You can visit her now, but it’s best if you don’t talk to her. Let her have plenty of rest to speed up the recovery,” Doctor Benjamin said.

“Thank you very much, Doctor.” Amy sobbed again. “I’m sorry I fell asleep last night when waiting.”

Doctor Benjamin shook his head and smiled. “No need to apologize. I understand it was quite a shocking time for you.” Then the doctor asked again, “Regarding the corpses of Mr. Peter and Mrs. Melanie, will they be buried in the burial area next to the hospital or outside of the hospital?”

Amy shook her head. “I don’t know, Doctor. I need to discuss this first with my family.”

“I understand, Ms. Brooke. If a decision has been made, you can tell Ms. Johnson to coordinate it.”