A strangled sound tore from my throat, but it wasn't a sob. It was a raw, guttural cry of fury. I pressed my face into Liam’s cool, thin hand. I couldn't break down here. Not now. Not while he was helpless, and I was exposed.

But, before I could even think of protecting my dignity, a nurse's voice fell to my ears like a thunderstorm. "Your brother will not survive if you don't shift him to a better hospital, Mrs Williams."

I had no time for myself. My dignity was in shattered. But, my brother's life was important. I could not be ignorant to him.

I shut my phone off, to save myself from the humiliation as I discharged my brother– to shift him to the City's Hospital.

As I reached the City's Hospital, I could feel the suspicious and lustful gazes of passersby near me. Some even dared to play my video at enough volume so that the voices could reach my ears.

I clutched my hands around my brother, supporting him to stand up, also a sheild to protect myself from people's sharp gaze.

After an OPD, Doctor Smith, the attending doctor of my brother, said, "Your brother is badly beaten. Most of his internal organs are damaged and need immediate surgery."

"It would be better if you had brought him to me two weeks ago. His condition is too critical now. I can't guarantee you if I would be able to save him now."

"Anyways, just sign the necessary documents and pay the surgery fee and we will start the surgery immediately. A small delay can risk your brother's life."

My heart skipped a beat after knowing how serious my brother's situation was. I immediately blurted out, "Please start the surgery immediately, Doctor Smith. I-I will pay the fee right away."

With that, I grabbed the pen on the desk. My fingers shoke in terror as I signed the documents for my brother's surgery.

After that, I rushed to the counter to pay the surgery's fee.

I gave my card to the collector and said, "It's for Liam Wordsworth. Please hurry up."

The man looked up at me, his stare was as if I had cracked some bad joke with him.

"What's wrong?" Worried, I asked.

"Your card is declined." He replied, his voice cold and distant.

He pushed the card back across the counter, his gaze sliding over me with thinly veiled contempt. "Look, I don't know what kind of games you people play, but the balance is zero. Less than zero, actually. There's a bank fee."

Zero. Julian.