Chapter 3

Ava’s POV

Fifteen million dollars.

The number kept repeating in my head, over and over again, like something I could not escape from.

After Doctor Mary explained everything my sister’s condition, how serious it was, and how urgent the surgery had to be she paused for a moment before leaving the room. Then she looked at me and said something that made my heart sink.

“Ava, I understand that fifteen million dollars may be too much for you,” she said gently. “But you need to find it quickly. It is the only way to save your sister.”

And then she left.

Just like that.

She walked out of the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts… and that number.

The moment the door closed, something inside me broke.

I slowly sank into the chair beside the bed and covered my face as the tears came. I cried without holding back, my whole body shaking as everything hit me at once.

Fifteen million dollars.

Of course she was right.

That kind of money was not just a lot for someone like me. It was impossible.

Even if I worked every single day for years, I would never come close to that amount. I barely had anything saved. Nothing that could even help in this situation.

“What am I supposed to do…?” I whispered, my voice weak and broken.

My hands were shaking as I reached for my phone.

There had to be someone.

Someone who could help.

I opened my contacts and stared at the names, hoping one of them would be the answer.

Then my eyes stopped on one name.

My father’s sister.

My fingers trembled as I called her.

The phone rang.

I kept calling, over and over again, hoping she would pick up this time.

But she didn’t.

After a while, I slowly lowered the phone.

Maybe she had really cut us off completely, she really meant it when she said she wanted nothing to do with us anymore.

My chest tightened, but I forced myself not to stop.

I turned to look at my sister lying on the bed.

She was so still.

So quiet.

And the tears came again.

“I’m sorry…” I whispered as I stood up and walked closer to her. “I’m so sorry…”

My voice broke as I spoke.

“I don’t know what to do… I want to save you, but I don’t know how…”

I shook my head slowly, feeling helpless.

“I’m trying… I really am… but I don’t know what to do…”

A sob escaped my lips.

“I’m such a failure…” The words hurt, but they felt true.

I came from nothing.A small life, a struggling home, and now this.

I could not even finish school because there was no money.

And now, when she needed me the most…I could not do anything.

Fifteen million dollars felt like something that stood between life and death.

A soft knock on the door suddenly pulled me out of my thoughts.

I quickly wiped my face and walked toward the door, my steps slow and heavy.

I opened it.

And there she was.

Mabel.

My best friend.

The moment she saw me, her expression changed immediately. I could see the worry and shock on her face.

“Ava…” she said softly.

That was all it took.

She stepped forward and pulled me into a tight hug.

And I broke down again.

I buried my face in her shoulder and cried harder than before. All the pain I had been holding in came out at once as she held me tightly.

Behind her, the nurse quietly left the room and closed the door.

“She’s going to be okay, Ava. Just calm down,” Mabel said softly, gently rubbing my back.

I took a shaky breath and nodded.

Everything would be okay, I just needed to stay calm.

After a moment, Mabel pulled away and guided me to the small couch in the room. I sat down, feeling tired and weak, while she looked at me with concern.

I was really glad she came.

If she had not come, I did not think I would have been able to handle everything alone.

“So… how is she?” Mabel asked gently.

I sighed.

“I don’t know,” I said honestly. “She hasn’t woken up since I got here. The doctor said I shouldn’t worry about that, but…”

I did not finish my sentence.

Mabel nodded slowly.

“Did something happen? Like an accident?”

I shook my head.

I could not tell her earlier on the phone. The moment I tried, I broke down.

“Her kidneys are failing, Mabel,” I said quietly. “Both of them.”

Mabel froze.

“And the doctor said we need fifteen million dollars for the transplant.”

For a moment, she just stared at me.

“Fifteen million?” she said in shock. “That is too much! Why is it so expensive?”

“She needs a transplant,” I replied.

Mabel ran a hand through her hair, clearly frustrated.

“That is a crazy amount, Ava. Did you try talking to the doctor? Maybe she can reduce it or something. They should understand your situation.”

I shook my head.

“No. There’s no negotiation. That is the price.”

My voice dropped.

“I just have to find a way to get the money.”

Mabel sighed and looked around the room.

“This hospital is too expensive,” she said. “Why would they even bring her here in the first place?”

I looked at her.

“I didn’t bring her here,” I said. “I didn’t even know she was here until the doctor called me.”

She paused.

“Oh… so someone else brought her?”

I nodded.

“Yes. She collapsed while getting out of a cab, and someone nearby brought her here.”

Mabel frowned.

“What kind of person brings someone to a place like this? This hospital alone could ruin someone.”

I hesitated for a moment before answering.

“He’s not just anyone,” I said. “The doctor said his name is Dominic Hale.”

Mabel’s eyes widened.

“The Dominic Hale?”

I nodded.

“He’s the one who brought her here. He already paid for everything so far… just not the transplant.”

I looked down at my hands.

“Maybe he didn’t even know about it. And even if he did… why would he help more?”

Mabel looked at me for a moment, then her expression changed slightly.

“Dominic Hale…” she said slowly. “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”

I frowned.

She was trying to lighten the mood, but I was not in the mood for that.

“Mabel, please…” I said tiredly.

She leaned forward, more serious now.

“Ava, listen to me,” she said. “You need to call him.”

I blinked.

“What?”

“Call him,” she repeated. “Talk to him. If he was kind enough to bring your sister here and pay for everything, maybe he can help you with the rest.”

I stared at her.

“Are you serious?” She shrugged.

“What do you have to lose?” I looked down at my hands again.

My heart started beating faster.

Call him?

A complete stranger and ask him for money?The thought made me feel uncomfortable but then I looked at my sister again.

Lying there and fighting for her life.