Loving A Vampire Billionaire

Chapter 16

Amaya hurried down the hospital corridor, her breath shallow, heart racing as she approached her sister Judy’s room. The stark fluorescent lights overhead made the hospital seem more sterile and cold, but all she could focus on was seeing Judy. She slowed as she reached the door, her hand hovering over the handle for a moment before she pushed it open.

Inside, Judy lay still on the bed, her fragile form illuminated by the soft, pale light that filtered in from the window. The machines beside her beeped rhythmically, keeping pace with her faint breathing. The sight of her sister, once so full of life, now reduced to a shell of her former self, twisted something deep inside Amaya. Acute leukemia had ravaged Judy’s body, leaving her gaunt and weak.

Amaya quietly crossed the room, her footsteps soft against the tiled floor. Her throat tightened, but she forced down the emotions threatening to overwhelm her. This wasn’t the time to cry. It never was. Judy needed her to be strong. Amaya sat down in the chair next to the bed and slowly, gently, leaned her head down on the mattress, close to Judy’s hand.

For a moment, she let herself linger there, the steady beep of the heart monitor echoing in the silence. The weight of everything — the hospital bills, the chemotherapy sessions, the countless nights spent in uncertainty — pressed heavily on her chest. She had already sold everything of value she owned. When that wasn’t enough, she had sold the only thing she had left: herself. But Judy didn’t know. Judy couldn’t know.

Amaya inhaled shakily, lifting her head from the bed. She reached out and gently held Judy’s hand, squeezing it softly. Judy’s skin was cold, almost too cold, but the touch still grounded her.

"You’re gonna be okay, Judy," Amaya whispered, her voice barely audible, as though speaking too loudly would shatter the fragile hope she was clinging to. "We can do this. I’ll do whatever it takes. I swear to you, you’re going to get better."

Judy’s eyelids fluttered, but she didn’t wake. She looked so peaceful in her sleep, far removed from the pain and suffering that had become her constant companion. Amaya's words hung in the air, mingling with the low hum of machines and the faint noises of the hospital outside the room. She needed to believe what she had just said. Needed to believe that somehow, everything would be okay.

Amaya felt the knot in her stomach tighten as she thought of the lengths she had gone to in order to afford Judy’s treatment. The nights spent in dark hotel rooms with men whose faces she couldn’t remember. The way she numbed herself to the shame because, in the end, it was all for Judy. As long as her sister survived, nothing else mattered.

Amaya's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the door opening. She quickly straightened, lifting her head from the bed and standing up. Her eyes flickered to the figure entering the room. It was Dr. Dwayne, Judy’s physician. He was a tall man with kind eyes, his presence a comforting constant in the chaos of the hospital.

“Good afternoon, Amaya,” Dr. Dwayne greeted her, his tone gentle but professional. His gaze shifted briefly to Judy, then back to Amaya. He offered a small smile as he approached the bed.

Amaya cleared her throat and nodded, trying to mask the turmoil swirling inside her. She stood straight, pushing her shoulders back, forcing herself to appear calm and composed. “Doctor,” she said quietly, offering him a polite smile. “Thank you for everything you’ve done. Really.”

Dr. Dwayne glanced at the clipboard in his hand before meeting her eyes again. “Judy’s condition is stable,” he said, his voice steady. “Her latest test results show improvement, and with a few more days of observation, we should be able to discharge her.”

Amaya’s heart leapt at his words. The hope she had been desperately clinging to swelled in her chest. Discharged. That meant Judy was getting better. It meant she could take her home, where she belonged.

“That’s… that’s wonderful news,” Amaya stammered, her voice thick with emotion. She blinked rapidly, trying to hold back the tears that threatened to spill over. “Thank you so much, Doctor.”

Dr. Dwayne smiled softly, sensing her relief. “She’s a fighter. Just a few more days of monitoring, and she should be well enough to go home.”

Amaya nodded, her throat too tight to speak. She turned back to look at Judy, lying peacefully on the bed. Her heart ached with love for her sister, but it was tinged with a deep sadness. She had done unspeakable things to get this far, to keep Judy alive. And she would do it again if it meant seeing her smile, seeing her live.

As Dr. Dwayne left the room, Amaya sat back down beside her sister, gently brushing a strand of hair from Judy’s face. “You’re going to be okay,” she whispered again, more to herself than to Judy. "We’re going to make it through this."

As soon as Dr. Dwayne left the room, the door creaked open again. Amaya turned, expecting a nurse, but instead saw her mother, Rosel, stepping in quietly. She was carrying a basket of food and fruits, her face lined with the exhaustion that only months of sleepless nights and worry could bring.

Rosel froze for a moment when she saw Amaya standing there, her eyes widening in surprise. "Amaya!" she gasped, setting down the basket hurriedly on a nearby table and rushing toward her daughter. Without a word, she enveloped Amaya in a tight embrace, her arms trembling slightly.

“I thought it would take a long time before I saw you again,” Rosel said, her voice shaky with emotion. “I was so worried about you.” She pulled back just enough to look at Amaya’s face, her eyes searching for any sign of what her daughter had been through.

Amaya returned the hug, though a little more stiffly at first, caught off guard by her mother’s sudden appearance. The weight of her sacrifices still hung over her like a cloud, and the guilt gnawed at her. How much could she hide from her mother? But she forced a smile, masking her turmoil as best as she could. "I'm here now, Mom," she said softly, her voice calm, though her insides were a storm of conflicting emotions. "Everything’s going to be alright."

Rosel pulled her in again, this time holding her even tighter, as if she was afraid that if she let go, Amaya would disappear. They stood there for a moment, the warmth of the embrace offering a rare comfort amidst the cold reality of their circumstances.

Suddenly, a weak voice broke through the quiet, startling them both. "Mo... mom..." It was Judy, her voice raspy and fragile, but unmistakable.

Amaya and Rosel immediately turned toward the bed, eyes wide in shock. Judy was awake, blinking slowly as if trying to shake off the grogginess from her deep sleep. Her frail body shifted slightly under the covers, and she weakly reached out a hand.

Amaya gasped. “Oh god!” She rushed to Judy’s side, her heart racing with a mix of joy and fear. Judy had been asleep for hours, and with her condition, every moment of consciousness was precious. Amaya hadn’t expected her to wake so suddenly. She crouched by the bed, holding Judy’s outstretched hand with both of hers, her eyes filling with tears.

Rosel quickly followed, sitting on the other side of the bed, her expression softening with relief. “Judy,” she murmured, brushing a strand of hair from her daughter’s face. “You’re awake. How are you feeling, my love?”

Judy smiled weakly, her pale lips barely curving upwards, but the effort was there. “I’m... okay,” she whispered, her voice hoarse.

Amaya squeezed Judy’s hand gently, trying to steady her breathing. “You scared us, Judy,” she said, her voice trembling slightly. “But you're going to be fine. We’re here now.”

The room was filled with a quiet, tender energy as the three of them huddled together, savoring the brief moment of connection. For a while, the pain and the fear seemed distant, as if nothing could intrude on this small circle of family.