Chapter 1

My daughter, Naomi Hartman, suffered sudden heart failure and needed immediate surgery.

I bolted home and asked my wife, Heather Conner, for the bank card where I had been saving money for Naomi's surgery. I had been depositing money into that account every month, so there should have been at least 13 thousand dollars in there, excluding interest.

Heather was squatting on the balcony, hand-washing underwear for Jared Winters, the impoverished college student she had been sponsoring.

When I asked for the card, she tossed the underwear into the basin, frowned, and spat, "No money!

"A regular surgery costs a few thousand dollars at most, so what surgery is that, costing more than ten thousand dollars?

"Jared's birthday is coming up in a few days. I booked a birthday package for him at a hotel, so the card's empty.

"This isn't Naomi's first episode either, so get the doctor to prescribe some pills and stop being dramatic."

I fixed her with a deadly stare and gritted my teeth as I demanded she cancel the birthday package. She had to get the money back for Naomi's surgery.

But she insisted Naomi's condition wasn't serious at all and that surgery was unnecessary.

While we fought, Jared returned from class. He was the impoverished student Heather had been sponsoring for years. To save him from dormitory expenses, she had him live in our house.

Jared kicked off his shoes and flopped onto the couch, whining about how exhausting class was and demanding that I massage his shoulders.

I ignored him and dragged Heather aside, insisting she cancel the booking at the hotel.

"The doctor made it clear that she needs surgery, or she won't make it past tonight. She's your flesh and blood and the baby you carried for nine months, Heather.

"She's still so young, so please have some mercy on her. She hasn't even had the chance to live her life yet, and she still has dreams she hasn't fulfilled. Can you bear to see her die?"

Seeing the clear flicker of conflict on her face, I pressed harder, and she finally gave in.

But Jared stepped forward from the side and hooked his pinky around hers before cautiously saying, "Naomi happily went to school this morning, Heather. You haven't heard anything about an accident from the school, so why is Miles suddenly asking for money the moment he comes home?

"If Naomi's really sick, just cancel the birthday party package. I've never celebrated my birthday before, so I guess it doesn't matter anyway.

"Though I've always envied people who throw lively parties to celebrate their birthdays, and this is the first birthday we will be celebrating together, it's fine. I guess I'm just fated not to celebrate birthdays.

"But I still have to warn you, Miles Hartman. Naomi's too young to tell right from wrong, so if you teach her to fake illnesses just for money, you're going to ruin her."

After comforting him, Heather suspiciously turned to me and demanded a doctor's note as proof. But I had rushed home for the money in such a panic that I hadn't thought about grabbing paperwork.

So, I told her to bring the money and come to the hospital to see for herself.

Jared muttered that I was lying because I couldn't produce proof, then started whining about being tired and hungry. He wouldn't stop pestering Heather to cook for him.

Heather believed him. She shoved me aside and walked into the kitchen to start washing vegetables.

I was nearly pacing around in frantic worry. When I looked up, I saw Jared grinning at me with his lips curled up smugly.

"Easy, Miles. Heart diseases can't be cured, and if she dies, it just means she wasn't fated to live. Serves her right!"

The rage I had been holding back finally exploded in my chest. I grabbed the basin from the floor and flung the water straight in his face.

"Since your mouth spews nothing but filth, let me wash it for you!"

He was soaked from head to toe with the wet underwear slapped onto his head. Screaming, he ran toward the kitchen and cried loudly about how I was bullying him.

Heather heard the noise and rushed out of the kitchen. When she saw his miserable state, she angrily demanded that I apologize. "Jared's just a kid, so why are you picking on him?

"Who do you think you are to lose your temper over something so small? Apologize now!"

Jared stood there trembling. His eyes were red-rimmed as if he had just suffered a grave injustice.

Heather's heart ached so much for him that she insisted I get on my knees and apologize.

I pressed my lips together and refused outright. Just as I was about to speak again, the phone in my pocket rang with a call from the hospital.

"Is this Naomi's family? She's on a ventilator, and if we don't start the surgery now, it'll be too late!"

Without hesitation, I turned and ran straight out the door. I didn't stop even when Heather shouted after me.