I wouldn't choose him.
I dialed the loan company.
“Yes, I want a loan.”
“Using my house as collateral.”
“I don't care about high interest. I need the money today.”
The moment the loan cleared, I went straight to the hospital.
I didn't just pay the $300,000.
I covered all the follow-up treatment costs too, switched him to the best medications, hired a private nurse, and booked a VIP single room.
When they wheeled my father into the room, my mother sat beside the bed, looking like she could finally breathe.
Watching them, worn out and uneasy, I felt a sharp ache in my chest.
If I hadn't married Otto Gilbert.
All of this, I could have done with ease.
It was love that had stripped me down to nothing, one step at a time.
The door of the room flew open with a kick.
Otto stormed in, eyes bloodshot, Leah Swanson trailing behind him.
He took in the private room, then the payment receipt on the table, and his face darkened in an instant.
“Deidre! Leah told me you were here throwing money around, booking a VIP room, and I didn't believe her.”
“I never thought you'd actually have the nerve.”
He crossed the room to me in a few strides, his voice frighteningly cold.
“Where did this money come from?”
My mother shot to her feet in fright.
“Otto, please don't be angry.”
“We won't stay here. We'll move back to a regular room right away.”
“It's our fault for being a burden on Deidre. Please don't let us come between the two of you.”
My father braced himself against the bed, trying to sit up.
“Deidre, I won't get treatment.”
“Don't tear your life apart for my sake.”
My eyes burned at their words, and I stepped right in front of them.
“Get out.”
Otto's expression shifted.
“Deidre, who do you think you're talking to?”
I stared him down.
“I told you to get out. Don't disturb my parents' rest.”
Leah tugged gently at Otto's sleeve.
“Deidre, you suddenly pulled out this much money. Of course Otto's going to wonder.”
“You're still carrying his child. Don't do anything to betray him.”
My father shook with rage and climbed straight off the bed.
“You apologize to her!”
“My daughter is decent and honest. You have no right to drag her name through the mud!”
Leah instantly shrank into Otto's arms, eyes red, and cried out:
“Otto, he's going to hit me!”
Otto's face changed in a flash, and he shoved my father aside.
“Who said you could touch her!”
My father slammed hard into the nightstand, the corner of his forehead splitting open at once, blood streaming down his face.
He collapsed to the floor, lips white, without even the strength to cry out in pain.
My mother screamed and threw herself toward him.
“Samuel!”
My mind went blank with a roar, and I rushed out shouting:
“Doctor! Somebody, help!”
Otto froze where he stood, staring at his own hands, the fury on his face finally giving way to panic.
“I didn't mean to. I just didn't want him to hurt Leah.”
I stood up and slapped him hard across the face.
“And Leah spreading filthy lies about me, that's fine?”
Otto's head snapped to the side from the blow, and Leah rushed to steady him, all tenderness.
“Otto, don't blame Deidre. She's just too worked up right now.”
Otto looked at me, eyes red.
“Deidre, I'll ask you one last time. Where did the money come from?”
I let out a cold laugh and held my phone screen up to his face.
The loan page was right there, clear as day.
“See it?”
“A loan. Using my house as collateral.”
“High interest. Cleared today.”
Otto's pupils contracted sharply.
