Chapter 2

Even after the sun came up, I still hadn't closed my eyes.

"You're insane," Eric muttered as he passed through the living room on his way to work. He shot me a glance, then hurried out the door.

I heard him, but I didn't bother to respond.

Last night, I figured something out. Affection couldn't be begged for. Anything one begged for never lasted.

I pulled out my phone and checked the balances across all my accounts.

Together, I had a little over 15 thousand dollars.

Yesterday, the doctor told me the surgery and the follow-up chemo would cost about 50 thousand. I was still short by two-thirds.

I regretted not saving more over the years. Now that I desperately needed money, I had no idea who I could turn to.

My parents were far away in Aoritland. Back then, they hadn't approved of my marriage to Eric.

His family lived too far from Aoritland, and they were afraid that if I ever suffered injustice, no one would be around to defend me.

But I had been stubborn, determined to marry him anyway. Because of their cold attitude, I even threw a huge tantrum. For years now, I'd cut myself off from them on my own.

I stared at my mother's phone number for a long time, then turned off the screen. After hesitating again, I still didn't dial.

Until the very last moment, I didn't want to drag them into this or make them worry needlessly.

I got up, washed my face, got dressed, and before Delphine could wake up, I slipped out with the 15 thousand dollars I had and went straight to the hospital.

I'd made up my mind. I was going to get treatment.

No matter what it took, I was going to live.

If no one else loved me, then I needed to love myself more.

*****

At the hospital, I went straight to the counter and registered under Dr. Samuel Stone.

Samuel was in his early thirties, already the associate chief physician of the gastroenterology department at Leapfrog, a top-tier hospital. I only found out later just how accomplished he was.

At the time, I'd gotten lucky snagging an appointment with him.

Originally, I had only come because of a nagging ache under my left rib and nausea when I ate. I hadn't taken it seriously at all.

Samuel had frowned at my blood test and ordered an endoscopy. Even then, I thought it was just some ordinary stomach issue.

When the endoscopy results came back, he stared at the report for a long time in silence. That was the moment I finally started to panic.

I barely remembered him back then. He wasn't much older than me, neat and clean-cut, his voice calm and steady.

By the time I returned to the hospital again, I had already forgotten what he looked like.

All my focus had been swallowed by the word cancer printed on that report.

*****

Every department in the hospital had long lines. Even on weekdays, the place was packed.

I sat in the waiting area until I heard a commotion outside Exam Room 7.

Glancing down at my slip, I saw that Samuel was the attending doctor there.

I frowned and walked closer, just as two men outside the door started shouting at each other.

"You just got here. Who the hell do you think you are, cutting in line?"

"So what? I just went to get my scan done. I'm back with the results to consult Dr. Stone."

"But it's my turn now. Why should you get to go first?"

"I'll only take a minute. What's your damn rush, you in a hurry to die?"

"The hell did you just say? Say that again, I dare you."

The argument escalated quickly. A nurse tried to step in, but both men were big, broad-shouldered types who were too worked up to listen.

Just then, Samuel walked out.

This time, I got a good look at him. White coat, striking features, sharp brows that gave him a commanding presence. His face was clean and refined, easy on the eyes.

Samuel was, without question, a very handsome man—he stood out in any crowd.

"What's all the shouting about?" he asked.

That part I remember clearly. His voice carried a natural calm, clean and restrained, with an authority that silenced the chaos around him.

The two men, who had been at each other's throats moments before, quieted almost instantly when Samuel appeared.

One of the men, still clearly dissatisfied, turned to Samuel. "Dr. Stone, tell him—wasn't I here first? I just got a scan done. Shouldn't you see me before him?"

Samuel took the scan from him, glanced at it, and said calmly, "It's just ordinary gastritis. I'll prescribe some medication. Take it on schedule when you get home."

He started to walk toward the computer.

The other man, who had been arguing earlier, wasn't satisfied. He stepped forward and grabbed Samuel's coat. "Dr. Stone, what's going on? He came later, so why is he consulting before me? I've been waiting in line for half an hour."

Samuel looked down at the hand gripping his coat and frowned. "Let go."

The man didn't. Instead, he tightened his hold. "You're treating patients differently. Believe me, I'll report you,"

I couldn't take it anymore.

This guy was being completely unreasonable.

If it weren't for the argument, he would have already seen the doctor and picked up his medicine.

I stepped forward and stood in front of Samuel. "What's your problem? Didn't you hear Dr. Stone tell you to let go?"

The man seemed surprised that someone would stand up to him. He paused, then sneered, "Who the hell are you? What gives you the right to tell me what to do?"

I didn't bother arguing. I grabbed his wrist, twisted it firmly, forcing his entire hand around.

"Ah. Damn," the man cried out.

"You going to let go now?" I said, my patience thinning.

Back in college, I had learned catch wrestling just for fun. I hadn't expected to put it to use today.

The man quickly pleaded, "Fine, fine, I'll let go."

I released him. By that time, the nurse had called security, and they promptly escorted the troublemaker out.

With the minor incident over, the line resumed. Samuel glanced at me and asked, "What's your number?"

I blinked, looked at my slip, and said, "Forty-two."

Samuel nodded and turned back to the exam room.

I watched his back and shook my head with a sigh.

When he had asked, I thought maybe he was checking to slot me in sooner. Clearly, I had been reading too much into it.

The two men's quarrel had wasted a lot of time. My original morning appointment had now been pushed to the afternoon.

I sighed and prepared to step out to grab something to eat.

Just then, Samuel came out of the exam room.

He saw me and visibly paused for a moment.