Rise of the Pauper Son-in-law

Chapter 2 (Accident And Hospital 2)

"But Mr. Sullivan," the doctor continued, "We need an immediate deposit of $5 million to begin the surgical procedure."

"$5 million?!"Drake's brows furrowed. "I thought you said my wife and daughter are already stable?" Drake inquired, his eyes wide in disbelief at the mention of the outrageous sum.

"You see, Mr Sullivan," the doctor began. "All we did was to make sure they're out of imminent danger but we need to carry out the procedure, especially on your daughter."

"My daughter? Why? What happened?" Drake asked, all in one breath.

"Your daughter has sustained very serious fractures and the earlier we attend to her, the better it will be for her." The doctor replied. "We need the money, because without it, we can't proceed."

Drake fixed his gaze at the doctor, a puzzled look on his face, "Doctor, is there something you're not telling me?"

The doctor eyes narrowed, contemplating the enormity of the news he was about to deliver, "To be honest with you Mr Sullivan, your daughter suffered severe fractures,"

"Severe fractures? What does that mean?" Drake asked, his curiosity piqued.

"What it means is that your daughter won't be able to walk again." The doctor announced, his expression shifting from professionalism to sympathy. "We're really sorry," he added.

Drake felt like his world had ended at the doctor's news. "It's a lie doctor. Michelle can still walk again."

"I'm sorry, Mr. Sullivan, but I wish I was lying. Just go ahead and deposit the money and then we can do what needs to be done.

Drake's mind raced, the sheer impossibility of raising the sum and the thought of Michelle not being able to walk again, rendered him momentarily speechless. He had nowhere near that kind of money.

He worked in a logistics company as a delivery agent and his monthly salary was just a small fraction of what the doctor was demanding.

Panic surged through him as he paced through the hallway, his mind frantically searching for a solution. The hospital's sterile environment and the incessant beeping and antiseptic smell seemed to suffocate him.

He wished there was an escape route, a way he could put an end to everything. "Oh my God!" He sighed, falling back on his chair, his eyes red rimmed. 

Left alone, Drake felt the walls of the hospital closing in on him. He wished Summer and Michelle had stayed at home instead and had not gone to the mall that morning. 

Seeing that there was no way to get the money other than to go to Summer's parents for help, he took the option. He knew his chances of getting them to help out was slim considering the fact that they were never in support of his marriage to Summer from the very beginning.

The only reason they had agreed to the marriage was out of the fear of losing Summer to depression. Summer had been so depressed when her parents opposed her relationship with Drake and would stay in her room all day, refusing to eat or talk to anyone.

_____

"Please," Drake begged as he stood before Fletcher and Rachel Willmount, his voice cracking. "The doctor said they need $5 million to start treatment. This is our only chance to save them. Please help me."

Fletcher's eyes hardened, "Find the money yourself, Drake. This is your mess not ours. We won't commit a single cent," Fletcher retorted, his voice dripping with disdain.

Rachel crossed her arms, her expression unmoved. "You heard him. Figure it out," she snarled, turning away with a dismissive wave of her hand.

Drake found it hard to believe that both Fletcher and Rachel had refused to help him when in fact, they had more than that to offer for the sake of their daughter.

Still pondering over what to do and how to raise the money, his phone buzzed in his pocket. He glanced at the screen, recognizing the number of a familiar contact.

"Hello," he managed to say, his voice barely above a whisper.