Chapter 4

Olivia POV

I had barely reached the hospital entrance when my phone slipped from my trembling fingers.

I bent down to pick it up and rushed inside, my heart pounding so violently that I could barely think.

“Excuse me,” I called to the receptionist. “My mother was brought here a few minutes ago. Her name is—”

“Olivia!”

I turned and saw Emma running toward me. Her face was wet with tears, her hair disheveled and her shoulders shook with every breath.

“Emma, what happened? Where is Mom?”

Emma threw her arms around me and broke down against my shoulder. 

“Emma, tell me what happened.”

"She was taking her bath and then I heard something fall. When I got to the bathroom, she—she was on the floor. There was blood, Olivia. There was so much blood."

I pulled away from her. “Where is she now?”

“They took her inside.”

“Is she awake?”

“I don't know.”

She started crying harder. I grabbed her hands.

“Okay. It's okay. I'm here now.”

But I wasn't sure who I was trying to convince.

It had been eight months since our mother had been diagnosed with leukemia. Eight months of watching the strongest woman I knew become weaker. Every setback left us terrified that the next phone call would be the one that changed everything.

I had taken responsibility for her medical expenses. So I worked, saved and paid every bill I could.

But now I didn't have a job. I didn't know how long our savings would last.

“How long has she been inside?” I asked.

“About thirty minutes.”

“Why didn't you call me sooner?”

“I did.”

I reached for my phone. There were several missed calls from her and Anaya.

Emma wiped her face. “Is she going to be okay?”

I wanted to say yes, but I wasn’t sure myself. “I don't know.”

Emma's lips trembled.

I pulled her into my arms again. “We'll wait for the doctor.”

We sat together for what felt like hours.

Every time the doors opened, my heart jumped.

Then finally, a doctor approached us. “Family of Mrs. Carter?”

I immediately stood. “Yes. I'm her daughter.”

“I'm Dr. Miller.”

“How is my mother?”

“She's been treated for the head injury. Fortunately, the injury isn't as serious as we initially feared.”

I released a breath I hadn't realized I was holding. “Thank God.”

“But there's another concern.”

“What’s that Doctor?”

“Her blood pressure is dangerously low. Considering her medical history, we don't want to take any chances.”

“Is she going to be okay?”

“We're monitoring her closely. She'll need to remain hospitalized for twenty-four hours.”

I nodded quickly. “Can we see her?”

“I think it’s better if no one sees her for a while.”

“Thank you, Doctor.”

He nodded before walking away.

Emma immediately grabbed my hand. “She’s fine, right?”

I squeezed her hand. “Yeah. She’ll be fine.”

A nurse approached me shortly afterward. “Excuse me. Are you here for Mrs. Carter?”

“Yes.”

“There's a payment required for your mother's treatment.”

I followed her to the billing counter.

I stared at the figure on the screen and checked my bank account.

I could barely pay for it. I handed over my card and waited until the transaction went through.

“Payment successful.”

“Thank you.”

I walked away slowly. I checked my phone and stared at my bank balance.

How long could I survive like this? How long could I keep paying for Mom's treatment without an income? How was I supposed to pay Emma's tuition?

I couldn't let Emma see my fear, so I walked back to her with a smile.

“Emma, you should go home.”

“Why? I can stay here with Mom. Don’t you need to go to work?”

 How do I tell her that I had lost my job?

“I already informed them at the office. Don’t worry about it.”

She looked up at me. “Are you sure?”

“Yes. You could stay with Mom tomorrow if you want.”

“Okay. I'll go home.”

I hugged her. “Please, try to sleep.”

“I will.”

I kissed her forehead. “Call me if you need anything.”

“Sure.”

I walked her to the entrance and paid for her cab.

I went to the hospital’s cafeteria to get food. I sat in the waiting area just in front of Mom’s room as I had my breakfast.

By nighttime, they let me sleep on the chair in her room.

...

The next morning, Emma woke me up from the chair.

“Hey, sis, please go to work. I will watch Mom.”

“Thanks,” I said as I stood from the chair. 

I grabbed my purse and left the hospital.

When I arrived at my apartment, I took a quick shower and changed into something comfortable before leaving again.

There was no point staying home because I needed a job.

I spent the next several hours visiting companies across the city.

At the first company, the receptionist barely looked at my résumé.

“We're not hiring.”

At the second, I was told to apply online.

At the third, the hiring manager glanced at my experience before shaking his head.

“You are overqualified for this role.”

By the fourth rejection, I was exhausted.

At the fifth, I finally lost patience.

“Can I ask you something?”

The woman sitting across from me looked uncomfortable. “What is it?”

“Why is everyone rejecting me?”

She sighed. “You're not supposed to know this.”

“Know what?”

“Your former company sent out a memo.”

My heart sank. “What kind of memo?”

“Blackridge Technologies warned several companies about you.”

I stared at her. “About me?”

“Yes.”

“What did they say?”

She hesitated. “That you were involved in fraud.”

My mouth went dry.

“Seeing you myself, I don’t think you did it.”

“Then why won't you hire me?”

She looked away. “Because no company wants to take that risk.”

I slowly stood. “Thank you for your honesty.”

I walked out.

The moment I got into the taxi, the tears started. I turned toward the window and tried to hide my face from the driver, but I couldn't stop crying.

Ryan had destroyed my career, my reputation and my future. And now, even though I had done nothing wrong, I was being punished for his crimes.

I pressed my forehead against the cold window.

I had spent years building my career, but it took Ryan and Maya one day to destroy everything.

By the time I reached the hospital, my eyes were swollen.

I sat in the taxi for a moment before getting out. I wiped my tears and forced a smile.

When I entered her room, I found her awake and Emma was sitting beside her.

Mom smiled the moment she saw me. “There she is.”

I walked over and hugged her carefully. “I'm glad you're awake.”

“I'm fine,” she said.

She touched my cheek. “You look tired.”

“I'm okay, Mom.”

“How is work and how is Ryan doing?” 

“Work is fine and Ryan’s been busy with work,” I lied.

“That boy needs to learn how to take a day off.”

I laughed quietly. “I'll tell him.”

Mom smiled. “Is he still treating you well?”

I swallowed. “Yes.” The lie nearly broke me.

“Good.”

She squeezed my hand. “I've always liked him.”

I looked down. “Yeah, he's a good man.”

The words tasted bitter.

Emma watched me carefully. I knew she could tell something was wrong, but she didn't say anything.

...

The doctor eventually cleared Mom for discharge later that evening.

Her blood pressure had stabilized enough for her to go home, although she was instructed to return immediately if she experienced any unusual symptoms.

Outside the hospital, I handed Mom some money.

She immediately frowned. “What's this?”

“For you.”

“I don't need it.”

“Mom.”

“You need to keep your money.”

“I have enough.” Which was another lie.

She looked at me. “Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

She took it reluctantly.

I turned to Emma. “Take care of Mom.”

“I will.”

“Call me when you get home.”

“We will.”

Mom hugged me tightly before getting into the cab.

I watched them leave before getting a taxi. The taxi dropped me outside my apartment building. As I got close to my door, I found my landlord standing there with everything I owned, thrown outside.

I stared at the mess in disbelief.

“What the hell?”