Chapter 2

Ava’s POV

I ran a shaky hand through my hair as I stood in front of the door, trying to steady myself.

It was just a door but for some reason, it felt heavier than anything I had ever faced.

I took a deep breath and pushed it open without knocking.

The moment I stepped inside, everything around me seemed to stop.

My sister.

She was lying on the hospital bed with her eyes closed, completely still.

Too still.

“No…” The word slipped out of my mouth before I could stop it.

My chest tightened painfully as I walked closer to her. She looked so weak, so fragile, like all the strength in her body had disappeared.

This was not how she was supposed to look.

This was not my sister. Tears filled my eyes immediately, and I could not hold them back anymore.

“I’m sorry…” I whispered, even though I did not know what I was apologizing for.

A soft hand touched my shoulder, and I flinched slightly before turning around.

A woman in a white coat stood beside me, holding a notepad. Her face was calm and kind, and something about her made me feel a little less lost.

The nurses in the room quietly walked out, giving us space.

“Your sister is going to be fine,” she said gently. “I’m Doctor Mary. I spoke with you earlier.”

I nodded quickly and wiped my tears with the back of my hand.

“Thank you… thank you so much, Doctor,” I said. My voice was shaking. “For everything.”

And I meant it.

She did not just treat my sister. She called me, spoke calmly to me, and helped me stay together when I felt like I was falling apart.

She gave a small smile, but then she shook her head.

“I don’t think I should be the one you thank,” she said.

I frowned, confused.

“What do you mean?”

“You should thank the young man who brought your sister here.”

I blinked.

“A young man?”

She nodded.

“Yes. He said your sister collapsed while trying to get out of a cab in front of his car. He brought her here immediately and made sure everything was handled.”

I stared at her, shocked.

“He… paid for everything?”

“Yes,” she said. “All the necessary bills were taken care of before he left.”

For a moment, I could not speak.

A stranger had done all of that?

“…Why would he do that?” I asked quietly.

Doctor Mary gave a small shrug.

“Some people still choose to help when they see someone in trouble.” I nodded slowly, but something still did not feel right.

Why was my sister even here?

This hospital was far from where we lived, and it was clearly expensive. Places like this were not meant for people like us.

So why would she come all the way here?

“The young man’s name is Dominic Hale,” Doctor Mary added.

I looked up at her quickly.

“Dominic Hale?” I repeated. “The billionaire?”

She nodded.

“Yes. I believe you’ve heard of him.”

Of course I had, Everyone had.

But someone like him helping my sister… it did not make sense.

“He left his card,” she continued, taking it out and handing it to me. “He asked to be updated on her condition. If you want, you can contact him and thank him yourself.”

I hesitated for a second before taking it.

“Yes… I would like that. Thank you.”

I looked down at the card in my hand.

Dominic Hale.

Even his name felt heavy.

After a moment, I stepped away from the doctor and moved closer to the bed.

Closer to my sister.

Seeing her like this up close made everything worse. Her face looked pale, and her body looked weak, surrounded by tubes and drips.

She would hate this.

If she woke up and saw herself like this, she would hate it. She always acted strong, always said she did not like looking weak.

My chest tightened.

I took a slow breath and turned back to Doctor Mary.

“Doctor… what exactly is wrong with her?” I asked softly. “Is she going to be okay?”

My voice was low, but she heard me clearly.

“Would you like to discuss this here or in my office?” she asked gently.

I shook my head immediately.

“There’s no need. You can tell me here.” She looked at me for a moment, then nodded.

After clearing her throat, she spoke in a calm and careful tone.

“Ava… your sister’s kidneys are failing.”

For a second, I did not understand.

Kidneys?

Both?

My breath caught in my throat.That could not be right.

I covered my mouth with my hand, trying to stop myself from crying out loud. My whole body felt weak, but I forced myself to stay still.

I could not break down here.

Not in front of her.

What if she woke up and saw me crying? She would not be able to handle it.

We only had each other.

After our parents died, it had always been just the two of us. No one else really cared.

I swallowed hard and wiped my tears quickly.

I could not lose her.

“Ava,” Doctor Mary said softly, bringing me back. “This is not the end. You understand that, right?”

I nodded, even though I was not sure I believed it.

“I understand…”

“What happens now?” I asked. “Please… I don’t care about anything else. Just save her. I will do anything.”

The words came out quickly, filled with fear and desperation.

“Please, Doctor… save my sister.”

Tears slipped down my face again.

Doctor Mary nodded.

“I can help her,” she said. “But you need to listen carefully.”

I nodded again, focusing on every word she said.

“We do not have much time. If we act quickly, there is a good chance she will recover.”

Hope flickered inside me.

“Your sister has a serious kidney condition,” she continued. “The only effective treatment now is a transplant.”

A transplant.

The word echoed in my head.

“She will need a donor,” Doctor Mary added, “and the surgery must be done as soon as possible.”

I held onto the edge of the bed.

“How much will it cost?” I asked quietly.

There was a short pause before she answered.

“The total cost for the procedure will be fifteen million dollars.”

Everything inside me went still.

Fifteen million.

That was not just a lot of money.

It was impossible.

My fingers tightened around the bedsheet as the reality hit me all at once.

How was I supposed to save her…

When her life came with a price I could never afford?