Chapter 4

Just as I stepped out of the gate, my phone vibrated.

[Dear customer, your supplementary card ending with the number 3924 has had all its permissions frozen by the primary cardholder.]

Jeremy was quick.

I put the phone back in my pocket and hailed a cab to rush to the hospital.

As soon as I reached the ICU ward, the nurse hurriedly walked over. "Ms. Shaw, you're finally back. The patient's condition has suddenly worsened. They're about to insert a tube. Here is the critical condition notice and risk consent form."

The nurse shoved a stack of forms into my hand. "Also, have you paid the deposit for the ICU? There is already an outstanding balance on the account."

My hand with the pen trembled violently. "I... I'll figure something out right away."

I signed my name on the consent form as my tears stained the paper.

The nurse sighed and turned to enter the ward.

I took the payment slip to the stairwell and checked my contacts on the phone. I had borrowed money from my relatives when my dad had his first surgery three years ago. Now, everyone avoided my phone call.

I looked at Jeremy's profile picture and tapped on the dialog box. It contained messages he sent ten minutes ago.

[We'll talk when you've thought things through.]

[Don't think you can manipulate me by disappearing.]

I stared at it for a long time and chose to delete and block him. I would not ask him for any more favors. Even if it meant death, I would not yield to him again.

I pulled out the pawn ticket from my bag. The ring was pawned for 25,000 dollars. I paid 12,000 dollars yesterday, and I only had 13,000 dollars left. ICU fees were several thousand dollars a day. This small sum would not last three days.

Just as I leaned against the stair railing in despair, a shadow fell over me.

"Ariel?"

I looked up.

The man in the white coat stood on the steps—it was Aiden Green. My senior from university, and my father's former attending physician. He transferred to a medical charity foundation two years ago, and we had not seen each other for a long time.

"Aiden." I straightened up, hastily wiping away my tears.

He glanced at the payment slip in my hand, frowning slightly. "Is Mr. Shaw not doing well?"

I nodded, my throat choking with emotion.

Aiden did not ask any more questions. He simply took his phone out of his pocket. "Give me the payment slip."

"Aiden, no need..."

"Give it to me." He scanned the barcode on the slip and paid 50,000 dollars.

"Consider this a personal loan to you. Don't worry about paying it back right away. The foundation has an aid program for advanced stomach cancer patients. I'll submit your application this afternoon. Don't be afraid. I'm here for you."

Hearing those words, the last thread holding me together snapped. Tears streamed down my face. I crouched down, covering my face and sobbing silently.

Aiden did not urge me. He just stood quietly beside me, handing me a tissue.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the city, Jeremy sat on the couch, staring at the red exclamation mark on his phone screen. He knew I had blocked him. He frowned and tossed his phone onto the coffee table.

Celia came over with freshly cut fruit. "Jeremy, is Ariel still not answering her phone?"

"Let her be." Jeremy rubbed his temples, his tone irritated. "She's just spoiled by me. She'll come back when she runs out of money."

He stood up, preparing to go to the study to get some documents. As he passed the foyer, a wooden box tucked away in the corner of the shoe cabinet caught his eye.

It was Ariel's dowry box from years ago. She usually treasured it, even refusing to let him touch it.

Jeremy walked over and opened the box. It was empty. The gold bracelet and earrings were long gone. Only a slip of paper remained at the bottom of the box.

He picked it up and glanced at it; it was a pawn ticket dated last night.

[Pawned item: A one-carat diamond ring. Amount: 25,000 dollars.]

Jeremy's fingers froze abruptly, and his heart skipped a beat for no apparent reason.