"Don't worry, Lizzie. I'll get the money for your surgery," Calvin said as he sat beside the hospital bed where his younger sister lay weakly. The sunset cast warm hues through the window, creating an emotionally charged atmosphere in the room.
"You've already sacrificed too much for me, Calvin," Lizzie replied weakly, her eyes looking tired yet filled with appreciation.
"Don't say that, Liz—"
"Fifty thousand dollars, Cal! Where are we going to get that much money? You already married that dreadful woman to get three hundred thousand dollars. She's not going to give us fifty thousand dollars more, Cal. I don't want you to be humiliated again just because of me!" Lizzie exclaimed, interrupting her brother's words with clear disapproval evident on her face.
Calvin, with a tense expression, sighed deeply.
He knew Lizzie's words held truth.
A year and a half ago, Calvin was forced to marry Alana Perry, the daughter of the Perry family, one of the wealthiest families in Ellstown, even counted among the esteemed families in Hudden.
He did everything to get the three hundred thousand dollars he needed for Lizzie's treatment.
At that time, Lizzie was on the brink of death due to a rare disease ravaging her kidneys.
Alana married Calvin not because she loved him; she even felt repulsed by Calvin. She did it all for the inheritance from her grandfather, Jonathan Perry.
In Jonathan's will, it was clearly stated that Alana was the primary heir, with the condition that she had to marry.
Calvin didn't understand why Jonathan required Alana to marry before receiving the inheritance, but he didn't care about that. What mattered most to him was that Alana was willing to pay for all of Lizzie's medical expenses.
At that time, Calvin worked as Alana's secretary. When Calvin expressed his intention to borrow money from the company, she immediately offered a marriage contract.
"I know how that woman treats you, Cal. Don't lie to me," Lizzie said with a sharp look, as if trying to pierce through her brother's emotions.
"Liz, don't worry about it. Alana isn't as bad as you think. She'll surely lend me the money we need for your surgery," Calvin said, trying to reassure his younger sister as he gently rubbed her back.
"Cal—"
"Now you have to rest, Liz. If you keep talking, I won't buy you ice cream when you're better," Calvin said with a soft smile, trying to divert Lizzie's attention from her worries.
Lizzie let out a long sigh, a sign of deep resignation and exhaustion. She felt extremely tired, but her heart was filled with hope that her brother would find a way out for both of them.
After Lizzie fell asleep from exhaustion, Calvin left the ward and tried to dial the number he had called several times in the past two days.
The hospital corridor fell silent, only the faint sound of nurses' footsteps could be heard from afar. In the silence, Calvin tried to calm himself before pressing the call button on his phone.
Alana's cell phone number, his wife, who was away on business, appeared on the screen.
Alana never answered Calvin's calls, perhaps because she was disgusted and regretted having a husband like Calvin.
Or maybe she already knew Calvin's intentions for calling her were about money. Whatever the reason, Calvin continued to try hard to call Alana, even though it was highly unlikely she would answer.
But this time, there was a voice on the other end. "What is it, Cal? Don't you know I'm busy?" Alana's voice sounded loud and short.
When Alana answered her phone, Calvin was surprised. He remained silent for a few moments and couldn't respond.
"Cal? Are you still there?" Alana asked somewhat impatiently.
Calvin took a deep breath before speaking. "Alana, can you lend me money for Lizzie's final surgery? She has found a donor, but for the surgery, we need fifty thousand dollars," Calvin said straight to the point.
His heart raced as he mentioned the amount needed.
"Fifty thousand dollars? Are you out of your mind? You always come to me asking for money, Cal! When will you realize that I'm not an ATM!" Alana exclaimed loudly, her impatience evident in her tone.
"Alana… Lizzie could die if she's not getting her surgery. And don’t you remember the contract we signed? We get married so that you get the inheritance, and in return, you pay for Lizzie’s medical bill. We are just one step from the final bill. I beg—" Calvin's words were cut off by the tone of the disconnected phone.
Alana didn't want to listen anymore, so she deliberately hung up.
"Alana! Alana! Hello?" Calvin tried tapping his phone screen, hoping for a reconnection, but to no avail.
He kept wondering, even though he knew the phone call had been disconnected. Calvin clenched his fists in frustration.
Where else could he ask for help? All the doors seemed to have closed for him.
Calvin took a long breath, trying to contain his emotions. Alana was indeed very beautiful and attractive, but she was very harsh towards him, probably because he was only her contract husband.Calvin looked around, the sterile and cold hospital corridor did not convey the warmth he needed right now.He felt alone, estranged from his previous life in his homeland of Barrion.Since the war broke out between Barrion and its neighboring country, Han Xin, Calvin, and his sister fled to Hudden for a new life.Calvin's family background and past glory were now nothing but ruins almost without a trace. Therefore, according to Calvin, whoever he and his family used to be, all of that was no longer important.He reached into his jacket and retrieved a golden amulet.It was his family heirloom, the most precious possession he owned.Before his mother passed away, she entrusted the heirloom to Calvin with a solemn request to keep it safe.Calvin stared at the golden amulet, taking a deep breath,
"Lizzie, I will talk to Dr. Kevin Lang," Calvin said with a voice full of conviction, although he was slightly trembling due to the worries haunting his mind. "Maybe he can provide some relief or a payment postponement. Your surgery needs to be done urgently, and we can't wait any longer."Lizzie's face looked full of concern as she listened to Calvin's words. Her gaze reflected disbelief and fear of the possibility of Calvin's efforts failing."But, Calvin, Dr. Lang is a jerk. He won't help us. It's clear he loves Alana and resents her marrying you. That man will surely make things difficult. Did you see what the nurses just did? They didn't want to help me, even though I was in pain. Whose orders do you think that was?" Lizzie gasped for breath as she still struggled to hold back her pain. The pain reliever she just took only had a slight effect.Calvin took a deep breath, trying to calm himself before answering. "I have to try, Lizzie. We don't have any other choice. I can't let yo
Calvin's heart pounded as he tried to swallow his anger and pride so many times in the last five minutes. He pleaded with Dr. Lang, desperation lacing every word that escaped his lips. "Dr. Lang, I beg of you, please help us. Lizzie's life hangs in the balance, and I'll do anything, anything at all, to save her. Please, find it in your heart to help."Kevin's response was nothing short of disdainful amusement. He chuckled condescendingly, his eyes alight with a cruel gleam. "Oh, Calvin, you're always the one in distress, aren't you? But perhaps there's a glimmer of hope for your dear sister."A flicker of optimism ignited in Calvin's eyes at the mere suggestion of a possibility. "Is there? Tell me, Doctor, what must I do?"Leaning back in his chair, Kevin's smirk widened, his demeanor oozing with self-assured superiority. "Well, well, well, it seems there's a chance to save Lizzie's life after all. But, Calvin, it comes at a price."Calvin's brows furrowed in confusion, his mind stru
With a tempest of emotions raging within him, Calvin stormed back to Lizzie's hospital room, his heart pounding with anxiety and anger.His mind is full with how to find a good doctor who will treat his sister. He was half regret his decision of not signing the divorce paper for his sister’s sake.However, just as he burst into the room, his eyes widened in disbelief at the sight of another patient occupying the space where his sister should have been.The shock sent a wave of panic coursing through him, and he frantically scanned the room, searching for any trace of Lizzie.Where was his sister?!Spotting a nurse hurrying past in the corridor, Calvin lunged forward, desperation evident in his voice as he called out to her."Wait! What happened to my sister? Where is she?" he demanded, his tone a mix of fear and frustration.The nurse, preoccupied with her duties, turned to face Calvin with a look of mild irritation. "Mr. Hudson, I am sure you know what happened. . Your sister's room
“Poor girl, why is she alone?”“Where are her parents? How can they be so irresponsible?”Bystanders gossiped and finger-pointed.Some of them turned their heads as if avoiding a horrific scene.As Calvin drew nearer, his heart raced like a wild stallion within his chest, each beat echoing the tumult of his emotions.Through the haze of panic and despair, he began to discern the outline of a figure sprawled on the unforgiving pavement, the stark contrast of blood against the pale surface sending a jolt of terror coursing through his veins.There, on the floor, laid his sister, broken and fragile.With a voice choked with dread and desperation, he called out his sister's name, the syllables hanging heavy in the air amidst the chaos of the crowd.Anxious faces turned towards him, eyes wide with fear and uncertainty, parting like a hesitant tide to make way for Calvin's frenzied approach.With every step, his lungs burned with the effort of drawing in air, his mind consumed by a singular
As the guards closed in on him, their hands outstretched to pull him away, Calvin's grip on his sister tightened with desperate determination.His eyes, blurred with tears of anguish, caught sight of a blood-stained piece of paper clutched in Lizzie's lifeless hand. With trembling hands, he reached out, his fingers quivering as he carefully unfolded the crumpled note.Each word on the paper felt like a dagger in Calvin's heart as he read Lizzie's final message. Her handwriting, smudged with blood and tears, conveyed a profound sense of sorrow and resignation.Tears flowed freely down Calvin's cheeks as he absorbed the weight of her farewell and apology."I'm so sorry, Calvin," the letter began, the ink blotched and smudged. "I can't bear to burden you any longer. Knowing I can't be saved, I've chosen to release you from the weight of my struggles. Please forgive me and remember that I love you always."Calvin's hands trembled as he clutched the letter to his chest, the weight of Lizzi
Upon arriving at the rundown apartment he shared with Lizzie before he married Alana, Calvin immediately put his newfound abilities to use. He starts preparing to operate on Lizzie with whatever makeshift tools he could gather. The dimly lit room became his makeshift operating theater, the urgency of the situation lending him an almost frenetic energy. "Stay with me, Lizzie," Calvin murmured, his voice a mix of determination and desperation, as he carefully positioned himself beside his sister's unconscious form on the makeshift operating table. With trembling hands but a steely resolve, Calvin began the intricate procedure, every movement precise yet fueled by an urgency born of love and necessity. The sound of his rapid breaths filled the small space as he navigated the delicate task before him, guided by instincts honed by the system within the golden amulet. As he worked, Calvin discovered an innate ability to channel his energy into Lizzie's body, a lifeforce transfusion of so
Kevin, seated across from Calvin, gave a subtle nod to Lucy, who wasted no time in carrying out her brother's silent command. With a forceful motion, she thrust the large brown envelope onto the rickety table before Calvin, the action underscored by her haughty demeanor."Sign it," Lucy demanded, her voice laced with contempt as she stared down at Calvin.Calvin's stomach churned with dread as he watched the envelope land with a heavy thud. He knew all too well what it contained—a legal decree signaling the end of his marriage to Alana. Despite the weight of the situation, he refused to yield, his resolve firm and unyielding."I've already told you, I won't sign it," Calvin retorted, his voice steady but tinged with defiance.Kevin's lips twisted into a scornful sneer, his eyes narrowing in disdain at Calvin's refusal. "Stubborn as ever," he muttered derisively, his tone dripping with disdain.As the tension in the room escalated, Kevin's gaze shifted to the nearby bed where Lizzie la