Irreplaceable Attachment

chapter 2

Lyla was standing in front of her mirror, trying to decide what to wear to the hospital, when her phone rang.

She picked it up without checking the number.

“Hello?”

“Am I speaking with Lyla?”

“Yes.”

“This is the hospital calling about Diana. Her condition has worsened, and we need you to come in as soon as possible. There's also an outstanding payment for her treatment.”

For a moment, Lyla couldn't speak.

“What do you mean her condition has worsened?”

“Please come to the hospital. The doctor will explain everything when you arrive.”

“But is she awake? Can I speak to her?”

“I'm sorry, but you need to come in first.”

The call ended.

Lyla stared at her phone, waiting for someone to tell her it was a mistake.

Diana couldn't get worse. She had visited her recently, and although she looked tired, she had still smiled at Lyla and asked whether she had eaten.

Lyla remembered promising to bring her favourite snacks on her next visit.

She grabbed her bag and hurried out.

Throughout the journey, she kept calling the hospital, hoping someone would give her better news. Nobody could tell her much over the phone.

By the time she arrived, her hands were shaking.

She went straight to the doctor's office.

“Doctor, what's happening to her?” she asked as soon as she entered. “Please, I need you to tell me the truth.”

The doctor asked her to sit down, but Lyla remained standing.

“Her condition is serious,” he explained. “We need to continue her treatment as soon as possible. However, there's an outstanding payment that needs to be addressed.”

Lyla swallowed hard.

“How much do I need to pay?”

The doctor told her the amount.

She felt as if the floor had disappeared beneath her feet. It was more money than she could get together in a few days, even if she borrowed from everyone she knew.

“Please,” she said, her voice trembling. “Can't you start the treatment while I look for the money? I'll pay. I promise I will.”

“We understand your situation, but there are procedures we have to follow. Please speak with the hospital's billing department about the payment arrangements.”

Lyla nodded, although she barely understood anything else he said.

She walked out of the office and stood in the corridor, trying to breathe normally.

She wanted to cry, but she couldn't let herself fall apart yet.

Mom was waiting for her.

She wiped her face and went into the room.

Diana looked up from her bed.

“Lyla! What took you so long today?”

Lyla managed a small smile. “Sorry, Mom. I had a few things to do.”

“Come here. Let me see your face.”

Lyla moved closer, and Diana reached for her hand.

“Have you been crying?”

“No, Mom.”

“Don't lie to me. I know your face.”

Lyla looked away.

Diana gently rubbed her hand. “What's wrong, sweetheart?”

“Nothing. I'm just tired.”

“Then you should go home and rest. You don't have to keep coming here every day.”

Lyla shook her head immediately.

“I'm not going anywhere.”

“Lyla, you have your own life. You have your family to think about, too. I don't want you spending all your money on me.”

“Mom, please. Don't start.”

“I'm serious. You've already done so much for me.”

Lyla tried to smile, but her lips trembled.

“Can we please talk about something else?”

Diana watched her for a moment before nodding.

“Alright. Tell me, have you eaten today?”

Lyla almost laughed through her tears.

Even now, Diana was more worried about her than herself.

“Yes, Mom. I ate.”

“What did you eat?”

Lyla hesitated.

Diana raised an eyebrow. “You see? You're lying again.”

This time, Lyla let out a small laugh. “I'll bring you something nice when you get better.”

“Promise?”

“I promise.”

Diana smiled. “Good. And when I get out of here, you will stop worrying so much. I want to see you happy.”

Lyla lowered her head.

She wanted to tell Diana everything. She wanted to explain that the doctors were worried, that the bills were piling up, and that she was running out of money.

But she couldn't bear to see fear replace the smile on Diana's face.

So she held her hand and stayed quiet.

After a while, Diana fell asleep.

Lyla sat beside her, watching her breathe. She noticed how tired Diana looked, how much smaller she seemed beneath the hospital blanket.

And suddenly, she was back in that terrible week when the building where she rented a room collapsed.

She remembered standing outside with her belongings, wondering where she would sleep. It was the middle of the semester, every room she asked about was occupied, and her family lived too far away for her to travel to school every day.

She hadn't told her family. She thought she could manage somehow.

Then Diana noticed something was wrong.

They had barely known each other, yet Diana took her in without asking for anything in return. She gave Lyla a place to sleep, made sure she ate, and helped her continue her studies.

Diana never made her feel like a burden.

She had simply opened her door and made room for her.

Now Lyla sat beside that same woman, unable to afford the treatment she needed.

She lowered her head and pressed Diana's hand against her forehead.

“Mom,” she whispered.

Her voice broke.

She tried to hold back her tears, but the harder she tried, the more they came.

“I'm trying. I really am.”

She wiped her cheeks, looking at Diana as though she might somehow hear her.

“I don't know what else to do. I've used my savings. I've borrowed money. I keep telling myself I'll find a way, but every time I think I'm getting somewhere, there's another bill.”

Her shoulders began to shake.

“Why does it have to be you? You were there for me when I had nobody. You helped me when you didn't even know me properly.”

She bent over Diana's hand and cried.

“I don't want you to leave me, Mom. Please.”

For the first time that day, she stopped trying to be strong.

“I know I should be doing more for you. I know you need me, but I don't have enough money. I'm so sorry.”

A weak voice interrupted her.

“Lyla?”

She lifted her head quickly.

Diana was awake.

“Mom…”

Diana looked at her tear-stained face and slowly reached up to touch her cheek.

“Oh, sweetheart. Come here.”

Lyla leaned down carefully, and Diana pulled her into a gentle hug.

That was all it took.

Lyla broke down against her shoulder.

“I can't lose you,” she sobbed. “I can't. You're all I can think about. Every time I leave this hospital, I'm scared that something will happen before I come back.”

Diana held her as tightly as she could.

“I'm still here, baby.”

“But what if you aren't next time?”

Diana went quiet.

Lyla pulled back, immediately regretting the question. She wiped her face, but the tears kept falling.

“I'm sorry, Mom. I shouldn't have said that.”

“Don't apologise for being scared.”

Diana brushed the hair away from Lyla's face.

“You've carried so much on your own. I wish you would let someone help you.”

“I don't know how to fix this.”

“You don't have to fix everything in one day.”

“But the doctors—”

“Listen to me.” Diana squeezed her hand. “Whatever happens, I want you to take care of yourself, too. Do you understand?”

Lyla shook her head as tears filled her eyes again.

“Don't talk as if you're leaving me.”

“I'm not saying that, sweetheart.”

“Then promise me you'll come home.”

Diana looked at her for a long moment.

“I'll keep fighting, Lyla.”

Lyla hugged her again and closed her eyes.

It wasn't the promise she wanted, but it was the only one Diana could give her.

When Diana eventually fell asleep, Lyla stepped into the corridor. She sat on a chair near the wall and called Chloe.

“Hey,” Chloe answered. “Are you at the hospital?”

Lyla tried to speak, but nothing came out.

“Lyla? What's wrong?”

“The doctor said Mom is getting worse.”

“Oh, no…”

“They need more money for her treatment, Chloe. I don't know where to get it. I've tried everything, and I'm still not even close.”

“Listen to me. We'll figure something out.”

Lyla pressed a hand over her mouth, struggling to control her sobs.

“I'm scared, Chloe. I've never been this scared in my life.”

“I know. I'm coming to see you, okay? You don't have to sit there alone.”

After the call, Lyla remained in the corridor, staring at her phone.

She had no money, no plan, and no idea what to do next.

Her phone suddenly vibrated.

Unknown Number.

She frowned. She didn't recognise it, and she almost let it ring. But just as she was about to decline the call, it stopped.

A message appeared.

You need money for Diana's treatment, don't you?

Lyla sat up straight.

She read the message again, her heart

beating faster.

Who was this?

Before she could reply, another message came in.

I can help you. But you won't get something like this for free.

Her fingers hovered over the screen.

Who are you? she typed.

The reply came almost immediately.

Someone who knows more about you than you think.

A chill ran down her spine.

She looked around the quiet corridor, suddenly uncomfortable. Nobody seemed to be paying attention to her.

Then her phone vibrated again.

If you want to save Diana, meet me tomorrow. Come alone.

Lyla stared at the message, her hands trembling.

She wanted to ask more questions, but when she tried calling the number, the call wouldn't go through.

She looked through the glass at Diana's room.

She had no idea who was behind the messages or what they wanted from her.

But one thing was clear.

Someone knew about her desperation and they were offering her a way out.