Chapter 28

“What’s wrong, sis?” Haylan furrowed his brow as he looked at Floris with concern.

“It’s nothing. My husband is working overtime today and can’t come to take care of our child. I can handle it alone,” Floris forced a smile to hide her inner turmoil.

Despite her efforts, the smile on Floris’s face looked lonely and betrayed her inner turmoil.

Haylan’s frown deepened as he noticed it.

He couldn’t shake off the feeling that something was amiss between Floris and her husband, but since she didn’t elaborate further, he didn’t feel comfortable probing.

Just then, a nurse walked into the room and addressed Floris with a cold tone, “Floris Hammond, you need to pay the bill now.”

Floris asked politely, “Excuse me, how much is it?”

“4,600 dollars. And remember, you cannot give your child any food or water after 10 PM tonight. The surgery is scheduled for tomorrow!” the nurse replied sternly.

“Now, please go and settle the payment.”

The nurse left firmly, without any hint of compassion in her voice.

After the nurse left, Floris looked pale. Her hands trembled as she clutched the edge of the hospital bed, her eyes filling with tears.

“What’s the matter with Tracy? What sort of ailment is she grappling with that calls for surgery?” Haylan inquired, creasing his brows with concern.

At the sight, Tracy recoiled in terror and hastily sought refuge behind Floris, obstructing Haylan’s view of the nature of her affliction.

“She’s grappling with pneumonia and pediatric hernia. While the former can be remedied with injections, the latter necessitates surgical intervention. Floris conveyed with a troubled countenance.

The thought gnawed at her, causing her anguish as she pondered, “How on earth are we going to come up with the exorbitant sum of money required?”

“Having acquired some rudimentary medical knowledge over the past eight years, let me examine Tracy. Perhaps there has been a misdiagnosis.” Haylan suggested with earnestness.

Floris shook her head in dissent. “It’s unnecessary. We’ve already consulted with numerous medical professionals who have verified the diagnosis, and surgery is the only viable course of action,” she replied firmly.

“I’ll phone my husband and request him to transfer the requisite amount,” she added, determined to leave no stone unturned in securing the funds for Tracy’s treatment.

As she spoke, she stepped out of the doorway to place the call.

Tracy harbored a palpable apprehension about being alone with Haylan and hence endured the agony of her ailment to remain steadfastly entrenched in her mother’s comforting embrace.

to examine Tracy privately were foiled, and he was denied the opportunity to assess her condition without the presence

prolonged interval to avoid any chance encounter with Haylan and then whispered

Could you kindly extend a loan to me?” she implored in a hushed tone.

Chapter 28

I’m currently experiencing a financial shortfall, came the regretful response from

is hospitalized and scheduled for surgery tomorrow. I humbly request your assistance in providing me with a loan.” She appealed, her voice laced with a sense

me? How many times have you approached me for financial assistance this month? I cannot oblige your request, so kindly leave!” retorted the individual on the other end, his tone brusque and

am in dire need of a loan. Would you be able to extend your assistance?”

warn you, if you fail to pay your dues by tomorrow, you will be evicted!” bellowed the landlord, his voice resonating with palpable anger and

to ask for a loan while you owe me three months’ rent? Outrageous! Begone!” sneered the landlord, his tone laced with contempt

in procuring a loan from anyone. Despite reaching out to over thirty individuals, she was met with nothing but refusals and reluctance to

brink of tears, Floris slumped onto a chair in the hallway, overcome with a

contemplated, feeling utterly defeated and at a

be forced to watch Tracy

all my

inconsolably, holding her daughter tight as

as she wept,

his eyes brimming with tears as he struggled to

emotions.

his hearing in particular honed to a

slightest disturbance up to a distance of three kilometers as long as he listened with focused

it almost unbearable. The thought dawned on him that a mere lack of funds had pushed Floris into such dire straits, leaving him to wonder about the extent of misery and hardship that she must have

conceal her predicament and cry privately to protect her self-esteem and pride, fearing that he might discover

as he realized the depths of her struggles and the challenges she

Haylan was the apple of Floris’s eye. During every New Year, Floris would set aside candies for him to relish, and when the family slaughtered chickens, she would snatch the

18:39 1

Chapter 28

for him.

sister was now living in such dire straits filled

strode out of the room with determination. He made his way. directly to

portion of the medical expenses could be refunded, and Haylan was not deterred by the prospect of paying more if the need

pondered over the situation, resolving to find an alternative

unless absolutely necessary.

to avoid

surgery entailed breaking the body, which constituted

and that traditional medicine. offered a plethora of massage techniques for its treatment.

of inflicting any harm upon his

didn’t you inform me

sooner?”

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