Chapter 9 · He Left the Altar for His Brother's Widow

Chapter 9

Grace's cries echoed from the master bedroom. "Edward, my stomach hurts. It hurts so bad."Edward instinctively started to turn back.I looked at him. "Go."He froze. "Olivia.""Don't keep her waiting," I said. "She really can't wait." With that, I opened the door and walked out.As the elevator doors closed, I saw Edward standing in the doorway.He took a step after me, but stopped, glancing back at the master bedroom. In the end, he finally turned around and went back inside.I stood in the elevator, staring at the numbers as they kept dropping. 23. 22. 21.At that moment, a single tear fell. I quickly wiped it away.When the elevator reached the first floor, my phone buzzed with a bank notification.Edward had sent another 15,000 dollars. The note read: [Stop making a fuss.]I looked at those words and couldn't help but laugh.I wasn't making a fuss. I didn't want to keep pretending I wasn't in pain anymore.*****At 1:30 AM, my mom called.Her voice trembled. "Olivia, your dad's chest hurts, and his face is turning blue. The ambulance is already here."I jumped out of bed, not even bothering to button my coat, and ran out the door.The ER waiting room was flooded with cold, pale light, everyone talking at once, the noise chaotic and machines beeping everywhere.When I got there, my dad was lying on a gurney, his face a sickly grayish-blue, an oxygen mask pressed tight against him.My mom stood right beside him, gripping the medical records so hard that it was like letting go would make her fall apart.The doctor told me to pay the bill so they could get my dad checked out and figure out what to do next.I rushed to the payment window with the bill, but when I swiped my card, I realized most of my credit limit had already been almost maxed out by the charge from earlier that day.I'd already frozen the joint account, and only Edward could unlock it. There wasn't enough left on my card to cover the bill.I stood at the payment window, my fingers trembling as I called Edward.The first time, no one picked up.The second time, he answered.The background was quiet, with only the soft beeping of medical equipment."Olivia?" Edward's voice was barely above a whisper, like he was afraid to wake someone.I didn't waste any time. "My dad's in the ER. I need to pay the bill. Transfer the money from the joint account right now."There was a pause on the other end. "Is your dad getting worse?""The doctor needs the money right now.""I can't leave," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "Grace had her checkup, and the doctor said she needs to be monitored. I can't leave her side."I closed my eyes. "I'm not asking you to come over. I need you to transfer the money.""Isn't the account frozen?""Just hit confirm and it'll unlock."He was quiet for a few seconds. "If I transfer the money now, what about Grace's future medical expenses?"I stood there, his words not registering for a second. "Edward, my dad's in the ER.""I know," Edward said, his voice tense. "But Grace is in the hospital too, and she complained about her stomach hurting again."The doctor said a family member needs to stay with her, and I really can't stress her out right now."I could hear Grace's faint sobs on the other end. "Edward, is that Olivia? Go ahead. I'll be fine on my own."Edward immediately replied, "Don't move. I'm right here."I gripped my phone, my palm slick with sweat.The clerk at the window called out, "Ma'am, there are people in line behind you."I asked quietly, "Are you sending the money or not?"Edward's breathing was heavy. "Just ask Sophie or the company to spot you for now. I'll take care of it in the morning.""In the morning?""Olivia, please don't make me choose at a time like this."I let out a soft laugh, so soft that I barely recognized it as my own. "You already made your choice."There was silence on the other end.I hung up and started calling my friends.Sophie was the first to answer. After hearing me out, she didn't ask anything and said, "I'll transfer it right now."I also messaged the company's finance department for an advance on my project bonus. Then I called up a college friend to see if they could lend me some cash.Every call felt painfully awkward.Every time I opened my mouth, I had to squeeze all that mess, including last night's wedding embarrassment, today's online hate, and my dad's sudden emergency, into one steady sentence.I asked, "My dad's in the ER. Could you lend me some money?"After hanging up the last call, I crouched in the corner of the hallway, my hands shaking so badly that I could barely hold onto the payment slip.Someone walked by, and a chill swept past my feet as their shoes hit the floor.I glanced down and realized I was still wearing slippers. I was so desperate to get out the door that I hadn't even bothered to change shoes.Sophie's money hit my account first.I rushed to pay the bill. When the receipt printed out, my knees went weak, and I had to grab the counter to steady myself.The doctor took the receipt and headed inside, while my mom leaned against the wall, sobbing.I walked over and hugged her. "It's paid."My mom gripped my hand, sobbing so hard she couldn't get a word out.By the time dawn broke, my dad's condition had stabilized, and he was moved to the observation room.I slumped into a chair in the hallway, feeling completely drained.I had a dozen unread messages from Edward. [How's your dad?[I wasn't ignoring you. I really couldn't get away.[Grace is asleep now. I'm on my way.[Olivia, please reply.]The last one was from half an hour ago. [I'm downstairs at the hospital.]I didn't reply.A few minutes later, Edward showed up at the far end of the hallway.His shirt was a mess, deep shadows under his eyes, clutching a battered thermos in one hand.As soon as he spotted me, he came rushing over. "Olivia, how's your dad?"I looked up at him.The hallway lights hit his face, making him look totally wiped out, as he'd been through hell.If it were before all this, I would've asked if he'd been up all night. But this time, he looked like someone I barely knew anymore.I said, "He's stable for now."He let out a sigh of relief and sat down next to me. "I'm sorry. There was no way I could leave Grace's side last night."When she heard your dad was in the ER, she wouldn't stop crying, blaming herself for everything. I was afraid all that stress might hurt the baby."I listened quietly.He continued, "I was an idiot about the money. I'll fix the joint account today, and I'll take care of your dad's medical bills."I took out the wedding ring from my bag. It had been there since yesterday's wedding ended. I placed it right next to the payment slip.Edward froze, staring at the ring as the color slowly drained from his face. "What are you trying to say?"I said, "Edward, let's break up."

Chapter 9