Chapter 1

"And make sure you book the best private suite," my husband, Bruce Bradford, added. "One with a private bathroom and sitting area. It will be easier for us to take care of Dad, and he'll have some peace."

He scrolled through photos of the VIP suites at Syliaeihill Central Hospital on his phone, speaking as though he were discussing the most ordinary thing in the world.

"Okay." My voice was calm, almost unnaturally so.

I turned my attention back to my phone and pulled up the profile of Dr. William Underwood, the nation's leading hepatologist.

Beneath his name was a simple status update: [7 patients ahead of you. Please wait.]

By now, I had been on that waiting list for seven days.

Ever since my dad had quietly left for his hometown, I had refused to give up my place.

A week ago, I accompanied him to the hospital to collect the results of his follow-up tests. Inside the small examination room, the doctor pointed to a darkened area on the CT scan.

"It's early-stage cirrhosis," he explained, "but his lab results aren't encouraging. There's a significant risk of progression."

My dad, Jack Reese, sat beside me.

He had always been the strongest person I knew. Even when life knocked him down, he had never been the kind of man to complain. But at that moment, I saw his shoulders sag almost imperceptibly.

I swallowed the lump in my throat and asked the doctor for details on the treatment plan. He walked us through the options: antiviral medication, antifibrotic treatment, regular follow-ups...

One thing was painfully clear: this was going to be a long battle, and it was going to cost a lot of money.

Jack didn't say a word on the drive home.

When we arrived, Bruce had just gotten back from work. He loosened his tie as he stepped through the door and asked casually, "How did Jack's appointment go?"

I took a slow breath, trying to keep my voice steady. "Not good. The doctor says it's early-stage cirrhosis."

Bruce paused at my words.

For a moment, I waited for him to come over and comfort me. But he just remained by the door, his expression unreadable.

After a few seconds of silence, he spoke casually. "That kind of illness is a bottomless pit. You can pour all your money into treatment and still end up losing the person and the money. What's the point?"

Silence fell over the room once again.

Jack was sitting on the couch in the living room. His body stiffened at those words before his head slowly dropped toward his chest.

I stared at Bruce, every part of me screaming to walk over and slap him.

But I couldn't do it. Not with my dad sitting right there. I couldn't let him watch Bruce and I tear each other apart over his illness.

Bruce seemed to realize he'd gone too far. He kicked off his shoes and cleared his throat awkwardly. "I didn't mean it like that. I'm going to change."

He retreated into the bedroom and closed the door.

...

That night, Jack barely touched his dinner.

I had made his favorite honey-glazed ribs, but after picking up one and chewing it slowly, he eventually set down his fork.

"Dad, don't listen to Bruce. He doesn't know what he's talking about."

I placed another rib on his plate, forcing a smile despite the ache in my chest.

"It's fine, sweetheart." He gave me a smile that somehow hurt more than tears. "I understand. I won't be a burden on you two."

...

When I woke up the next morning, Jack was already gone.

On the coffee table sat a manila envelope. Inside was an old bank statement and the note for a train ticket for a 5:00 a.m. departure to his hometown.

I unfolded the statement with trembling hands.

The balance was $370,000. Every dollar represented a lifetime of savings—money my parents had painstakingly put aside over the years for their retirement.

I rushed into the bedroom, where Bruce was still asleep, and shook him awake.

"Jack is gone! He left every cent he had behind. Are you happy now?"

I shoved the bank statement in front of him, my voice shaking with anger and disbelief. Bruce woke with a scowl, clearly irritated at being disturbed.

He glanced at the statement and frowned. "So, he left. What are you screaming at me for? That illness is barely treatable anyway.

"Going back home to rest might actually be good for him. And since he left the money behind, doesn't that take a huge burden off our shoulders?"