4: Another chance

SOLACE

“It’s been hours, why she haven’t regained consciousness?” I heard my mother’s voice on my side. She sounds so worried but my eyes feel heavy.

“Ma’am, like I said her body went into shock but I assured you that she’s fine now and will wake up at any time soon–”

“Mom…” I called, finally able to open my mouth but my throat felt so dry.

“Oh, darling you’re finally awake!” She immediately ran to my side and caressed my cheeks. I felt the warmth of her hand.

I remember how terrified the situation was earlier, and her touch made me realize how strong she is as my mother.

“Oh, darling. Sorry we are late, it must have terrified you a lot. Don’t worry, everything is fine now,” she said gently.

I smiled at Mom and glanced behind her to where Dad is, he looked angry.

“Dad, I’m fine–”

“That good-for-nothing man! How could he choose to go on a business trip over you and his child who’s fighting for their lives?!” He slammed his palm on the table, my forehead creased and looked at mom confused.

“W-What does dad mean? Where is Trenton, what business trip?” One question after another, yet my mom just shook her head disappointedly like dad.

“Mom, dad…” I called them, but before they could even answer me the door swung open. 

A man in a white coat stepped forward, holding his record book. He looked at me directly, there was something weird about how he looked at me but I could not point it out.

“Hello, I’m doctor Choi. How’s your body, Mrs. Rivera? Somewhere hurt?” He asks and smiles at me.

I just shook my head and didn’t say any words, the question in my head still lingered.

“Good to know, however, there’s something you need to know about the baby’s condition. He’s a premature baby and his heart is weaker, he needs intensive care more than usual.”

I heard Mom’s sharp gasp beside me, while I remained frozen in place. I heard the doctor’s words clearly, yet my mind seemed to refuse to process it.

My lips opened, but no words came out.

"W-What needs to be done? Will my grandchild be saved?" Mom spoke first; the tremor in her voice was evident.

"Don't worry, Mrs. Walsh; the baby requires intensive care and heart surgery once his body is ready. But, a substantial amount of money is needed. The surgery alone costs millions plus the intensive care the hospital will provide which will likely span several years, it will make the total cost reach roughly around 20 to 30 million."

“W-What? 20-30 million?” Dad asked in surprise and I understood him.

After I got married, the company he once built, is now under Trenton’s care. 20-30 million is no longer small bills for them after they help Rivera’s family bankruptcy.

“Mom, dad, it’s fine. I will try to call Trenton and discuss it with him, everything will be all right.” I smile at them to assure them.

I thought I could reach him, but I was wrong. Days passed and all my calls didn’t go through, not a single one.

I tried everything. Messages, calls, and even emails, but I received no response from him. With each passing day, the weight of being alone felt heavy and heavier.

The pressure to have money ready made me forget my own body that I also need a rest, I need to prioritize my son.

"I'm sorry, ma'am, but there is only 100,000 left in your joint account," the teller said, looking at me with pity. 

"W-What did you say?" I asked in disbelief, standing up from my seat and leaning closer to her. "You might be mistaken; I'm certain there were millions in my account. Please, could you check it again?"

“I’m sorry ma’am, but that is really the only thing left in your account. All the savings were withdrawn a few months ago,” she explained and even put the screen for me to see the withdrawal records.

Trenton withdraws all our savings without saying anything to me and now I can’t reach him? What is he doing now?

I walked back to the hospital, lost all my strength and slowly lost my hope too. Mom and Dad had offered me several times to sell their mansion to raise funds, but I couldn't bring myself to accept it. I felt like a useless daughter and mother; I couldn't do anything but cause them trouble.

Weeks have passed, and the doctor has repeatedly reminded me about the surgery, yet I haven't even raised half the amount needed. I can think of only one solution left: selling my share in the company, the last remaining proof that our family still holds a stake in the business Dad worked so hard to build.

I took a deep breath as I opened the door to my hospital room, only to freeze in my tracks; the man I had been trying to reach for weeks was sitting on my bed, gazing at me as if he had missed me terribly.

"Solace," he called out to me, but instead of answering, I quickly walked up to him and met him with a hard slap.

"You have the nerve to show your face to me! Do you think you still have the right to stand in front of me?" I snapped at him. 

All the frustration I had felt over the past days and weeks.

The fear, the hopelessness, the anger; I poured it all out with every blow I struck against his chest.

“Solace, hear me out. I didn’t mean to leave you alone, something bad happened with the branch abroad. I was already on board when I heard what happened to you, but I can’t go home or else everything will go downhill,” he held my both wrists and pulled me into a tight hug. “I’m here now, let’s face everything together, okay?”

“Why did you withdraw all the money in our joint account without me knowing?” I asked listlessly. “Am I really a joke to you?”

“No! The branch abroad needs a huge amount of money, I have no time to inform you. I need a large amount to support the project,” he said gently. “Please believe me, Sol. I just want to make sure everything is settled once our son grows up.” He took a deep breath and held me even tighter. "In just a few months, all our sacrifices will finally bear fruit; but if I need to pull out the investment for the project, I’ll do it—even if it means going deeply into debt. I’ll do anything for our child," he added.

Going deeply into debt means the company my dad once built will take the damage too, I can’t do that.

“I-I will sell my shares, don’t pull your investment for the project,” I said and looked at him. “But you need to promise me to get it back once the project is done.”

“I promise,” he whispered and kissed my forehead.

Once more chance, for our child…