Four dishes and one soup—every meal was a thoughtful blend of meat and vegetables.
Margareth had even gone out of her way to learn how to prepare my favorite dishes.
The Johanssen Family had treated me with kindness and warmth, embracing me with a sincerity that came from the bottom of their hearts.
When Susan and I got married, I had nothing. No job, no car, no house—I couldn’t even afford my own tuition. The Johanssen family paid for everything.
During our wedding banquet, some of Susan’s relatives openly mocked me, sneering at my lack of accomplishments.
The Johanssen Family’s parents, however, had stood by me unwaveringly. Anthony had spoken up in front of everyone, his voice firm and resolute.
"Eddie is a good boy and the son-in-law our Johanssen Family has proudly accepted. Anyone who dares to speak ill of him in the future is not welcome in our home."
At the time, I was young and sensitive. Those words touched me deeply.
That day, I swore to myself that I would spend my life repaying Susan and her parents, vowing to give them all the happiness I could.
They had given me something I’d never had before—a complete family, filled with affection and warmth.
But now...
Anthony and Margareth knelt before me, their faces pale and haggard, their eyes brimming with desperate pleas.
I couldn’t meet their gaze. I lowered my head, staring at the ground as if it could shield me from the weight of their sorrow.
Pain throbbed from the wound on my right wrist, sharp and suffocating, but it wasn’t enough to distract me from the scene unfolding before me.
Their voices trembled with emotion, their bodies quivering from the effort of pleading.
Robert, who had been watching in silence, stepped forward to help them. His tone was sharp, filled with disdain as he addressed me.
"Eddie Murph, what are you doing? Not only are you letting your wife and child face death, but are you also planning to take advantage of the Johanssen Family’s property while you’re at it?"
"For money and your job, you’ve abandoned all sense of decency. You’re utterly despicable!"
His voice grew louder, his words brimming with righteousness as he turned to address the onlookers.
"You don’t need to beg him anymore. I, Robert, will put my reputation and career on the line to save the patient."
"I’m not doing this just because it’s my responsibility as a doctor—I’m doing it because I have a conscience!"
The crowd erupted in applause, their voices filled with admiration for Robert. They praised him as a model doctor, a stark contrast to their growing contempt for me.
I smiled faintly, ignoring the sharp pain in my wrist. I clapped my hands slowly, the sound hollow and unfeeling.
"Well, good luck to you all, then."
Robert shot me a look filled with hatred before turning and walking toward the operating room. The door swung shut behind him and the nurse quickly secured it.
Only then did I allow myself to clutch my trembling wrist. Cold sweat dripped down my forehead, the pain unbearable yet strangely grounding.
Anthony and Margareth, too consumed by their grief and desperation, didn’t spare me another glance.
They helped each other up and left, no doubt scrambling to gather money to save Susan’s life.
The crowd slowly dispersed, their murmurs fading into silence.
And then, darkness crept over me. My vision blurred and I felt my consciousness slip away.
***
When I opened my eyes again, I was lying in a hospital bed.
Bertha Hoover, one of the nurses I was friendly with, sat by my side, her face etched with concern.
"Dr. Eddie, you’re finally awake!" she exclaimed, her voice trembling slightly. "You’ve been out for an entire day and night. You really scared us."
I sat up slowly, my mind clouded with confusion. Had I really been unconscious for so long?
Shaking off my disorientation, I cleared my throat, though my voice came out hoarse.
"Susan," I asked, "how is she?"
Bertha hesitated, glancing at me carefully. Finally, she said, "Robert worked tirelessly for ten hours... In the end, both the mother and child are safe."
Her words hit me like a tidal wave. My heart sank, heavy with a mix of emotions I couldn’t untangle.
Relief? Disappointment? I didn’t know anymore.
Throwing off the covers, I swung my legs over the side of the bed and got up.
Without another word, I walked out of the hospital room.
