I Funded Their Trip With My Surgery Money のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 1 - チャプター 10

The next day, I packed the belongings the four men had left at my place into four separate cardboard boxes.There were Drake's basketball medals, Evans' debate competition manuscripts, Finley's cherished vintage game console, and every gift Boaz had ever given me.I used to be so afraid of losing them. But now, I realized that these weren't the superfluous things I always thought they were—I was.I went to the outdoor gear shop first and saw Drake helping Cindy pick out a pair of crampons.She stepped onto the display platform with one foot, deftly fastened the straps, and hopped down from the three-foot-high ledge with a bright smile."These are great! If we run into any icy slopes, I'll be able to lend you all a hand if you need it!"They laughed in unison. Drake gave her a thumbs-up and said, "That's our Cindy for you! You're someone we can always count on."I recalled our last hiking trip, when Boaz wouldn't even let me walk along a flat stone path on my own. He claimed he w

At 5:00 am, a medical transport vehicle pulled up in front of the inpatient building, and a nurse helped me load my suitcase into the trunk. Inside, there were only a few articles of clothing, my medical records, and the camera I had originally intended to use to photograph the snow-capped mountains.Meanwhile, the group chat with Boaz, Drake, Evans, Finley, and me was buzzing, as lively as if they were throwing a whole party without me.Cindy had posted a selfie taken at the airport. She hadn't asked anyone for help, beaming with bright, uninhibited energy. She wore a mountaineering backpack and held a suitcase in each hand.Drake said immediately, "Look at Cindy—and then look at someone who can't even carry her own water bottle when she goes out."Finley chimed in."If Arianna were even half as low-maintenance as Cindy, we wouldn't have had to resort to this."Evans added, "That's enough. She'll just have another 'episode' if she sees this."Boaz didn't defend me. He simply li

Boaz's phone slipped from his hand. The screen hit the floor, leaving a jagged crack across it.Drake shot to his feet, exclaiming, "What do you mean, Arianna's heart stopped? What's the situation now? Did they manage to revive her?"The nurse didn't answer. She simply said, "That is confidential patient information. You have no right to inquire about it."Then, the line went dead.Silence descended on the four of them.Cindy pulled off her oxygen mask. "Ari had surgery?"Evans explained in a low voice. He said, "Heart surgery. It was supposed to be paid for with that 260 thousand dollars."Cindy stared at them as if seeing them in a new, ugly light for the first time. She asked in horror, "So, the reason she couldn't afford her surgery is because of the four of you?"Finley ran a hand through his hair, looking agitated. "We didn't actually spend the money. We were planning to pay her back as soon as we got back.""As soon as we got back?" Cindy echoed, letting out a sharp, in

Drake was the first to sign the settlement agreement. Soon, the 265 thousand dollars, plus interest and legal fees, was transferred back into my account.Money had never been the issue for them. That wasn't the debt that was truly hard to repay.Finley set down his pen after signing the agreement, his eyes rimmed red. He said, "Arianna, we've known each other for so many years. Does it really have to come to this?"I was the one who defended you when you got bullied as a kid. Have you already forgotten about that?I looked at him and said, "I haven't. That's why I never once pressed you for the 50 thousand dollars you borrowed from me."Yet, when I told you that I needed to be hospitalized, you just complained that I was a killjoy."Finley opened his mouth, but no words came out.Drake shifted his chair forward. He said, "I didn't realize you were actually having a medical emergency at the hotel the other day. If I had known, I would have taken you to the hospital at once."I l

Boaz ran up to me, gasping for breath. "I promise I won't bother you on the trip, Ari. Can I just… Can I just follow from a distance? Is that okay?"I glanced at his boarding pass. He was sitting in the same row as me.So, this was what he meant by "following me from a distance"."Get a refund," I said curtly.He shook his head. "No. I've waited three months, Ari. I waited downstairs when you wouldn't answer my calls. I kept watch at the entrance when you wouldn't let me into the hospital."I've changed, Ari. I truly have!"Before I could respond, an announcement blared over the airport's PA system.There was an irregularity with Boaz's flight booking, and it required re-verification. Staff members hurried over and intercepted him before he could board.As it turned out, he had managed to get his ticket by pulling strings just to squeeze into the photography tour group. The tour organizer immediately revoked his spot.Boaz's expression darkened. "I can pay extra."The organiz