The billionaire's pearl

chapter 2

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The coffee shop has been filled with customers all morning

The aroma of fresh coffee fills the air. The café is busy with customers lining up, chatting softly, and the hiss of the espresso machine in the background.

Maddie was grinning wildly as she was pouring a cup of coffee for a customer

"You seriously added three extra pumps of caramel in that latte yesterday. The poor guy was buzzing like a bee" she said laughing

"Hey, he asked for "something sweet and strong." I delivered. Lara said laughingly as she wiped the counter

"And he also asked if we served heart medication with it" Maddie added while laughing

And we both started laughing remembering the scene

"so instead of working you both are here gossiping and gisting is that what I pay you for" Mr Kennedy spat hardly

"we are sorry sir" we both echoed and left to serve customers

"will you both get back to work" he shouted

After a long day it was finally time for break

"hey Madison have you seen Jenny today" Clement (a worker) asked me

"no I haven.... hang on, one second my phone is ringing " I said looking for my phone in my apron pocket. I frowned sensing something was off, seeing the caller ID: “St. Grace Hospital”.

"Why would the hospital be calling me...? I said quietly but I answered regardless of the fact that I was nervous

"Hello" I spoke

" hi, I'm I speaking with Madison Davis"

"yeah, how can I help you"

"we're calling from St Grace hospital, your mom was just rushed here and she is in a critical condition and we would like for you to be present before we proceed with any treatment for the emergency surgery"

" wait what, I don't get it, my mom is perfectly fine, I saw her this morning" I said with my voice a little shaky

"is your mom not Alison Davis"

"yes she is" I said scared

"well she encountered an accident and was rushed here, we would love for you to get here quick so we can proceed with treatment, thank you" the call was cut

I turned away slightly, clutching my phone tighter to my chest.

A tear slips down my cheek which I never noticed.

Clement felt something was off so he kept calling my name but I was lost

"Maddie...? What’s going on? he asked as she shocked me

I tried gathering myself together but my voice was shaking

"It’s my mom. There was an accident They said she’s in critical condition... being rushed into emergency surgery" I said trembling

"what, how come"

my hands were shaking as I pulled off my apron

"I have to go. I have to be there. I can’t— I can’t lose her, please inform Mr Kennedy for me" I said rushing

"off course no problem. I’ve got this, okay? he said assuring me

I grabbed my bag with shaking hands and left the coffee shop. I stopped for a moment outside the shop, my eyes filled with fear and pain.

"Please… let nothing happen to my mom" I said softly

I quickly hauled a cab as I made my way towards the hospital.

I didn’t remember the cab ride. Or the tears streaming down my face. Or how I even made it through the hospital doors. but my body just moved on instinct, each step heavier than the last as I pushed through the glass doors and ran to the reception desk.

“My mom—Alison Davis. She was brought into the emergency room. I got a call—”

The nurse quickly told me to go to the emergency room.

I never knew that I was this first at running onto then.

when I went to the emergency room I wanted to get in but the nurse refused to allow me saying I should wait for the doctor.

The nurse glanced at me saying “Dr. Maxwell will speak with you. Please wait here.”

Minutes felt like hours. When Dr. Maxwell finally approached, My knees wobbled.

“Are you Madison Davis?” he asked gently.

I nodded.

He led me to a small consultation room, pale green walls and flickering fluorescent lights making the place feel colder than it already was.

“Your mother collapsed earlier today,” he began. “It wasn’t an accident in the traditional sense. It was her heart" he said

I swallowed, lips trembling.

“What do you mean?” I asked

“She has a severe form of cardiomyopathy—her heart muscles are failing. From the scans, it appears she’s been living with this undiagnosed for quite some time. The collapse was her heart finally giving out under the pressure.” he added

I covered her mouth, tears flooding my eyes. “how is the situation doctor, Is she going to die?” I asked

Dr. Maxwell paused. “We’ve stabilized her. For now. But… to be completely honest, she needs a heart transplant. And she’ll need to be placed on a transplant list immediately.” he said

The room spun.

“A… transplant?” I asked

“Yes. The condition is advanced. We’re doing everything we can, but without a new heart, she won't survive. That said, the process is extremely expensive" he added

“How much?” my voice cracked.

“We’re looking at close to two hundred thousand dollars—maybe more depending on complications. But before we even get to that, we need an immediate deposit to keep her under the current treatment—medications, support systems, monitoring. About ten thousand dollars.”

I blinked, stunned.

“ten thousand?” I echoed.

“Right now?” I asked

Dr. Maxwell nodded, eyes kind but firm. “Without the initial deposit, we won’t be able to keep her stabilized for long. We’re doing what we can with emergency funds, but we need a decision. Soon.” he said

I stood there frozen. my world was crumbling. my mom—the strongest woman I knew—was lying unconscious in a sterile room, held together by wires and machines. And the only thing standing between life and death was money. Something I had none of.

I sniffed back tears. “Can I… see her?” I asked the doctor

Dr. Maxwell nodded and led me down the corridor. Machines beeped softly, and the smell of antiseptic filled the air.

When I stepped into the room, my legs nearly gave way.

my mother looked small, pale, a mask over her face, IV lines trailing from her arms like lifelines. I reached for her hand and gripped it gently.

“I’m here, Mom,” I whispered. “I’m not going anywhere. I’ll find the money. I promise.” I said as tears rolled down my cheeks

I kissed the back of her hand, tears falling freely.

No matter what it took, I would find the money. Even if it meant making impossible choices.