[Narrator's POV]
Alex rushed into the female washroom.
"Camilla, what's wrong?"
"I'm pregnant," she whispered, clutching her stomach, nausea twisting her face.
Alex froze. "Don't tell me…it's him." He couldn't even say the man's name.
"Yes," Camilla cut him off, her tone bitter. She pushed past him and walked out of the private space.
"How are you dealing with this?" Alex caught up to her in the corridor.
"I'm fine. I don't want to talk about it. Let's check on Mom," she said with a forced calmness.
They arrived at the VIP ward. Through the French window, their mother lay pale and fragile, barely clinging to life. Alex and Camilla stood in silence, tears streaking their faces. Alex tried to hold his emotions together, but they slipped through his control.
**************************
[Alex Pov]
I am Alex Pessis, eighteen years old. A scholarship student at the University of cedis, running for campus president. Just a week ago, my life was normal—driving the Lamborghini my sister bought for me, living in a penthouse overlooking the ocean. Now here I am, watching my mother fade away and my sister wrestle with betrayal and an unexpected pregnancy. My heart is in turmoil, my sanity unraveling.
"Mr. and Mrs. Pessis," a nurse said softly, "the doctor would like to see you in his office."
Alex quickly wiped away the tear clinging to his lashes. Camilla wept silently as they walked to the office, her sobs muffled by the sterile air.
They sat across from the doctor. He studied them for a moment before speaking.
"I have good news," he said gently.
Camilla straightened, wiping her face, her eyes fixed on him like a child waiting for approval.
"This morning, the hospital received a donation. Among the equipment, we now have what's needed for your mother's treatment. There is hope—but the success rate is only eighteen percent. If you can deposit the surgery payment within the next twenty-four hours, we can proceed."
Camilla's tears shifted to joy. She sobbed, clasping her hands together in relief. Alex gripped the doctor's hand, clinging to the first spark of hope in days.
But Camilla's joy overwhelmed her. Her breathing quickened, her body trembled, and before Alex could react, she collapsed into violent convulsions—her cries silenced by the seizure that overtook her.
Camilla woke up from her hospital bed. Alex, what happened? You had a seizure. Alex answered with his charming smile. Let's go make payments so mom's surgery can start as early as possible. Camilla said, getting off the bed. They got to the payment counter to pay their bill. Camilla removed her credit card and handed it to the cashier. Wouldn't madam pieces? Camilla said with excitement.
[ Meanwhile]
Mises banks,Thanks for choosing Dreamville Hospital. I would like to have you here next time,the doctor exclaimed with a warm smile.
You are welcome. Sophie responded before exiting the doctor's office.
She dressed in a pink miniskirt and a white party skirt with a pair of high heels. With its length rising 6.5 inches tall, she walked through the hallway as a radiant and charismatic aura caught the attention of others. She entered the elevator and the door opened right in front of the payment counter. Sophie saw Camilla handing over her card to the cashier. Disgust was evident in her face when she stormed out of the hospital into her Jeep.