The nurse rushed up to me. "You're Ms. Larson's daughter, correct? We need ECMO immediately. It's her only chance. Come pay now!"

I had no time for dignity.

I dropped to my knees on the cold tiles.

"Husband, please." Tears spilled over. "That's your mother inside. I'm begging you. Save her."

In three years, I had never bowed to him. Never begged.

Anthony looked down, conflict warring in his gaze. The papers shook in his hand. He opened his mouth—

Jasmine let out a sharp wail and clutched her head.

"Tony, honey! My head... it feels like it's splitting open! Save me!"

Jasmine's eyes rolled back and she crumpled to the floor.

Anthony didn't hesitate. He scooped her up and bellowed for a doctor.

I lunged forward, grabbing for his arm. "Anthony, wait—"

He kicked me back. Hard.

"Get lost!" His face twisted with fury. "Look what you did to Jasmine! And you still want money? In your dreams!"

He bullied the staff into prioritizing her—unconscious, nothing more—and they rushed her into the ER, slamming the doors in my face.

Shut out. Abandoned.

I sprinted to the ICU and dropped to my knees before the attending physician.

"Please." My forehead hit the cold floor. "Save her first. I'll get the money."

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Sanchez." His voice was pained but firm. "ECMO requires prepayment. I can't override the system. Find the funds. Now."

I borrowed a nurse's phone. My hands shook so badly I could barely dial.

"Mom, Dad, please..."

They didn't ask questions. The transfer came instantly.

But the moment the notification pinged, the red light above the ICU went dark.

The doctor stepped out, peeling off his mask. He couldn't meet my eyes.

"I'm sorry. Your mother-in-law didn't make it."

My mind blanked. A hollow ringing filled my ears as the doors swung open and a gurney rolled out. A white sheet covered the body.

"Mom!"

The scream tore from my throat. The exhaustion, the fear, everything I'd been holding back—it erupted at once.

The world tilted. Darkness swarmed my vision.

I collapsed.

When I woke, antiseptic burned my nose. A nurse stood nearby, speaking softly. Zoe's body was in the morgue. Leon had stabilized, but he was too fragile for shocks—we couldn't tell him his wife was dead.

I felt hollowed out. A shell.

"Can I use your phone again?"

I logged into WeChat. The first thing I saw was a video from Jasmine.

I pressed play.