A Shattered Heart

My uncle said angrily, "Amelia, listen to me. Now is not the time to be stubborn." I didn’t look at him. I held my mom’s cold hand tightly. The room smelled like medicine and everywhere felt sad. It was quiet. The machines went beep, beep, beep. Every sound was like a countdown. My mom was lying in bed. She looked very weak. Her eyes were closed. It was hard for her to breathe. Before, she was strong. She woke up before everyone else, now she is weak. She cannot even lift her hand. The lump in my throat was swallowed. "Please, Uncle Ben," I muttered. "Not in this location." "Then when?" he growled softly. "When your mom passes away?" I was deeply affected by what he said. Before he could see the tears welling up in my eyes, I hurriedly averted my gaze. Daniel, my younger brother, was sitting peacefully on the tiny couch across the room. His eyes were swollen from sobbing, yet he was still wearing his school uniform. He was just twelve years old. He's too young for this. In my hand, my phone vibrated once more, the number is unknown. Before I responded, I knew who it was. I got up slowly and left the hospital room. An irate voice erupted from the other end as soon as I responded. "How many times will we have to call you before you realize we're done waiting for our money, AmeliaAdams?" I tightly shut my eyes. "Please, sir. All I need is more time. The man growled, "Time?" Before he passed away, your father borrowed millions from us! You keep pleading for more time when the company is collapsing? People going along the hallway turned to stare at me. I spoke more softly. "Please, sir. My mom is in the hospital. "And whose fault is that?" he asked icily. "Your father's business and your home will be seized if payment is not received by next week." Do you comprehend? Before I could respond, the call stopped. I lowered the phone from my ear slowly. My chest was constricted. Everything was disintegrating too quickly. Dad passed away six months ago. For six months. That was all it took to turn our idyllic life into a nightmare. I put my hands over my face and leaned against the wall. I gave myself permission to break for a moment. Just a moment. Then I heard footsteps getting closer. "Amelia." Uncle Ben was standing there as I looked up. This time, his expression softened slightly. "You are free to cry," he murmured. I chuckled angrily. "I might never stop crying if I start now.” With a heavy sigh, he moved to stand next to me. Neither of us said anything for a moment. At last, he uttered the words I had been attempting to avoid all day. "Your only option is Andrew Thomas." My body stiffened instantly. "No." "Amelia—" "No!" This time, I repeated more loudly. A nurse passing by gave us a glance before moving on down the corridor. Uncle Ben scratched his weary forehead. "You're not accepting reality." "I can see it clearly," I yelled. "You want me to sell myself to a billionaire so this family can be saved." "Marriage, not s*****y, is what he wants." I looked at him incredulously. "Marriage?" I chuckled in agony. "A man I've never met wants to marry me for money all of a sudden. Do you think that sounds normal? Uncle Ben cautiously remarked, "He is powerful." "And he can resolve every issue we have in a single night." I instantly shook my head. "No." "Amelia—" he called. "I already have someone." My imagination suddenly flashed to Michael's face. His grin. His tone. He always held my hand as if I were important. My chest was stung with guilt. Uncle Ben now appeared irritated. "Is Michael able to cover the cost of your mother's surgery?" Then, I kept quiet. "Is he able to pay off your father's debt?" I glanced at the ground. "Can he prevent you and your brother from being thrown out into the street by investors?" Every query was like a knife. I detested not being able to respond. Once more, my uncle's voice grew softer. He said, "I know this is difficult." "But you are needed by your mother." The door to the hospital room opened abruptly before I could respond. A physician emerged. I hurried over to him right away. "How is she doing, doctor?" Slowly, the older man took off his glasses. I felt a knot in my gut at the look on his face. "The surgery must be done right away." "How long do we have left?" Weakly, I asked. The physician paused. Then he let out a sigh. "To be honest, not much." My knees began to deteriorate. "She might not make it through another week without surgery." Suddenly, everything around me was silent. I was having trouble breathing as I gazed at him. A week. Just one week. Suddenly, Daniel was standing next to me. "Sis?" Something inside of me was broken by his tiny voice. So that he wouldn't see the tears streaming down my face, I swiftly turned away. However, it was too late. He'd seen them before. Daniel firmly grasped my hand. "You think Mommy will be alright?" I parted my lips. Nothing was said. How was I meant to respond to that? Before leaving, the doctor gave me a little pat on the shoulder. I froze in place. My mom was near death. And there was nothing I could do. Daniel abruptly gave me a waist hug. He muttered, "Please don't let Mommy die." My chest constricted horribly. I encircled him with my arms carefully. I muttered back, "I won't," even though I wasn't sure anymore. Uncle Ben said softly behind me. "The marriage contract has already been sent by Andrew Thomas." I shut my eyes. "No." "He said the hospital bills will be paid right away once you sign them." I carefully moved away from Daniel and looked up at my uncle. "You've already talked to him?" "Yes." I felt a sudden surge of anger. "How were you able to?" "Because I am attempting to save this family," he yelled. "Your dad was also my brother!" The corridor fell silent once more. Behind me, I could hear Daniel sobbing. Uncle Ben spoke more softly. "Amelia... This transcends your emotions. My mouth quivered. "What kind of man would marry such a desperate woman?" "You are not being forced by him." I chuckled angrily. "Is he not?" Once more, my phone rang. Another unidentified number, I took a few moments to look at it before cautiously responding. "Hello?" "Miss Adams?" "Yes?" This is the billing department of Mercy Hospital. The deadline for your payment is two days. We might have to stop further treatment processes if payment is not received. The air left my lungs. "Please," I pleaded in a whisper. "Don't do that, please." "Miss Adams, I apologize, these are the rules of the hospital.” The call came to an end. Staring at the blank screen, I stood there. Two days. Not even a week, but the following day. My hands started to tremble a lot. To prevent myself from crying again, I forcibly squeezed my lips together. Still, the tears came. slowly. Quietly. Uncle Ben moved up closer and gave me an envelope. I glanced down at it. Andrew Thomas's name was prominently displayed on the front. "Consider your mother," he said. Then he turned to leave. I was by myself in the hallway, gazing at the envelope as if it had the power to ruin my life. Perhaps it had already done so. I could hear my mother wheezing feebly behind the door of the hospital room. Then came Dani el's silent sobbing. I gripped the envelope more tightly. And for the first time in my life... I felt like I was stuck.