Chapter 5: His Name

His name felt like poison on my tongue. Callum.

My words hung in the air, heavy with pain and fury. Lia’s eyes widened in shock, but before she could react, I let out a bitter laugh, shaking my head as I wiped the angry tears from my eyes.

"Not literally," I muttered, my voice raw. "But he might as well be. He left me, Lia. Like I was nothing. And now—" I gestured toward the canteen’s television, where Callum’s engagement announcement flashed across the screen. "Now he’s with her. And I’m here, struggling to keep Ryan alive."

Lia reached across the table, taking my shaking hands. "You don’t have to do this alone. We’ll figure it out. Callum doesn’t deserve a single one of your tears. Right now, Ryan is what matters."

I swallowed hard and nodded, pushing back the storm inside me. Taking a shaky breath, I reminded myself that Lia was right.

Gathering my composure, I stood. "Let’s go. Ryan needs me."

As we walked back to his hospital room, I pushed open the door but froze before stepping inside.

Callum.

He stood at the far end of the hallway, hands buried in the pockets of his tailored coat, piercing blue eyes locked onto mine. My breath hitched, confusion and anger colliding in my chest.

Lia, sensing the shift in my demeanor, turned and spotted him too. Her grip on my arm tightened. "What the hell is he doing here?"

Suddenly, Lia came running down the hallway, shouting in a panic. She grabbed my arm, struggling to catch her breath. "The doctors are reviving Ryan!"

My heart plummeted. The world blurred as I raced toward his room, fear pounding in my chest. The sight before me was pure chaos—nurses barking instructions, machines beeping frantically, and my little brother lying there, pale and unmoving.

I couldn’t breathe. My legs gave out, and I collapsed outside the room, hands shaking as I clasped them together. Tears spilled down my face as I silently pleaded, Please, God, don’t take him away from me.

Minutes stretched into eternity before I heard the words I desperately needed: "He's stable."

Relief crashed over me like a tidal wave. I pushed myself up and rushed inside. Ryan still looked fragile, but his chest rose and fell in slow, steady breaths. I took his hand, squeezing gently. "I’m here, Ry. Please wake up."

Lia stood beside me, a quiet source of comfort. "He’s going to be okay," she murmured, though I heard the doubt in her voice. I nodded because I needed to believe it.

My mother arrived shortly after, her face lined with worry but composed as always. She didn’t know what had just happened, and I chose to keep it that way. The last thing she needed was more stress.

"Here," she said, handing me some money for Ryan’s medications. It wasn’t much, but I took it gratefully, even as guilt coiled inside me. Hiding the severity of Ryan’s condition felt like a betrayal, but what choice did I have?

Later, in the hospital cafeteria, I finally let my guard down with Lia. "I don’t know how much longer we can afford to keep him here," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.

Lia frowned, drumming her fingers against the table. "There has to be something we can do. A fundraiser? A loan?" She was trying, but we both knew the truth—I needed a better job. One that actually paid enough.

"I’ll figure something out," I said, forcing a determined smile. I have to.

As things quieted, my thoughts drifted back to Callum.

I shook my head, pushing the image of him away. It was probably about Emilia Rhodes. Maybe she was pregnant. The thought was a knife to my chest, twisting painfully. The man who once promised me forever was starting a family with someone else.

Lia noticed my expression shift. "Athena—"

"It doesn’t matter," I cut her off. "I don’t have time to think about him. Ryan is all that matters."

And as I looked at my brother, small and vulnerable in that hospital bed, I knew that was the truth.

The next morning, I forced myself to leave the hospital, my heart aching with every step. Ryan’s fragile form was the last thing I saw before I turned toward the exit, my resolve hardening. I had to be strong—for him.

At work, I kept my head down, focusing on the endless spreadsheets and reports. The numbers blurred, but I forced myself to stay sharp. I couldn’t afford mistakes.

No one at the office knew about Ryan. I made sure of that. I didn’t want their pity, nor did I have the energy to explain. Instead, I powered through, pretending everything was fine. During breaks, I leaned against the cool tiles of the office restroom, checking my phone for updates from Lia. Each message brought momentary relief—Ryan was still stable—but it wasn’t enough to ease the weight in my chest.

The hours dragged. By the time the day ended, I could barely keep my eyes open. I pushed through, navigating the crowded streets back to the hospital. The fluorescent lights felt too harsh as I stepped inside Ryan’s room, the beeping of machines the only sound accompanying me.

I sat by his bedside, brushing my fingers over his cold hand.

“I’m here, Ry,” I whispered. “I won’t stop fighting for you.”

My phone buzzed in my hand, breaking the silence. I glanced down—Lia was calling. A flicker of hope stirred in my chest. She was the only one who truly understood the pressure I was under, the overwhelming need to save Ryan.

I answered immediately. "Lia?"

She didn’t waste a second. "Athena, listen to me. There's a financial manager position opening at the Rhodes company."

I froze. Rhodes. The name alone sent a shiver down my spine. "What?"

"It's a huge opportunity—fifty thousand a month. Enough to cover all of Ryan’s medical expenses and more."

My heart pounded. That kind of money could save my brother. It could change everything. But that name—Rhodes—echoed in my mind like a cruel taunt, dragging me back to memories I had fought to bury.

I swallowed hard. "Lia… who owns the company?"

A pause. Then her voice came softer, hesitant. "You already know, Athena. Emilia Rhodes."

My grip tightened around my phone as a war raged inside me.

Fifty thousand a month. Ryan’s survival.