I bent down slowly, my fingers trembling as I picked it up. I didn’t say thank you.
I just turned and walked out as fast as I could, almost running.
My father.
With this money, his surgery could finally go through.
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?”