He would live.
He had to.
—
By the time I got to the hospital and paid the remaining fees, my hands were still shaking. I rushed to the doctor, my voice uneven.
“The payment is done. Please… you can proceed with the treatment now, right? Please save him.”
The doctor looked at me, and something in his eyes made my chest tighten.
“I’m sorry, Miss Dahlia. Mr. Argus gave strict orders to stop all treatment for your father. We can’t go against that.”
For a second, I didn’t understand.
“What?” My ears rang. “No… that doesn’t make sense,” I said quickly, shaking my head. “I just paid. You saw it. The money is there. Why would you stop now? He needs the surgery, he’ll die without it, you can’t just—”
“I’m sorry. There’s nothing we can do.”
The world tilted. I stumbled back, my heart racing so fast it hurt.
Argus.
I fumbled for my phone and dialed his number, my fingers slipping.
He picked up.
“You’re calling me already?” he said, amused. “What is it, Dahlia? Miss me that much?”
“Argus!” My voice broke. “Please, please don’t do this. My father needs treatment. I already paid, I did everything you wanted, I drank everything, I—”
“So?” he cut in, almost bored. “He had surgery last week, didn’t he? Skipping one won’t kill him. Or are you saying your father is that weak?”
My knees hit the floor.
“Please,” I whispered. “I’m begging you. Don’t punish him for this. If you’re angry, take it out on me. I’ll do anything, just don’t—”
“Of course it’s punishment,” he said, his voice turning colder. “This is for hurting and humiliating Celine. Did you really think you could walk away after making her upset?”
Everything went silent.
The call ended.
And then—
Beep.
Beeeeeeep—
I froze. Slowly, I turned my head. The line on the monitor… it wasn’t moving anymore. Just straight.
“No!”
My phone slipped from my hand and hit the floor. I rushed to the bed, grabbing my father’s hand. It was cold. Too cold.
“No, no, no… Dad!” My voice shook. “Wake up. Please wake up. I’m here now. I got the money, everything’s okay now, you’re going to be fine, so please…”
He didn’t move.
“Dad…” My grip tightened, my whole body trembling. “Dad!!!” My scream tore through the room. But no one answered.
—
I didn’t know how long I’d stayed there. Hours, maybe longer. By the time sunlight crept into the room, I was still on my knees, my eyes dry and empty.
He was gone. The doctor approached quietly and handed me a letter.