THE PRICE OF US

CHAPTER TWO

Silvia stared at the sheet of paper in her trembling hands in shock and disbelief, the words floating before her eyes. Her chest tightened, and tears flowed from her eyes. Her hold on the test results tightened as though that would erase the truth from it.

"What does this mean, sir? I'm lost," she asked with a tiny, shaken voice, her heart pounding hard against the edges of her ribcage like an unruly drum.

The doctor sighed. "Your mother… Sorry, ma'am. Your mother has a hole in her heart."

Silvia's breath was vanished from her throat.

*A hole?*

My mother was fine, and now this? I don't understand."

She wanted to believe that there must have been a mistake—some kind of confusion. But the serious expression on the doctor's face snuffed out any hope of that.

"I know," he answered, tilting his head. "Your mother is okay for now. But she fainted because her heart skipped a beat. This is because of the hole in her heart."

Her fingers tightened on the paper.

*No. No. No.*

This was not possible. She had barely recovered from the shock of her mother's breakdown, and now she was being told that she was not going to make it either.

"What's the way out? What do we do, doctor?" Her voice trembled as she gave in to the fear she tried so hard to conceal.

The doctor paused. "There is an escape, but…"

Silvia did not give him a chance to finish. "Tell me," she persisted.

"It will cost a lot of money," he warned.

*Of course it will.*

She had already known that nothing came free, not particularly something like this. But what could it possibly cost? Five thousand? Ten? Even twenty? She'd find a way. She had to.

"Talk to me, doctor." Her voice was calm, but inside her, she was crumbling.

The doctor inhaled deeply. "Your mother needs a heart transplant. It has to be done within a month."

Silvia's stomach twisted.

*A transplant?*

Her head spun. She wasn't an operations expert, but she knew transplants weren't simple. Or cheap.

She swallowed a hard knot. "What if we can't get it done before a month?"

The physician's face darkened. "Her heart is already weakened. Only a slight chance that it will get her through that. We'll try to stabilize her, but." He left the sentence hanging. He didn't need to.

Silvia gulped, breathing in and out unevenly. "How much?"

The amount that slipped past his lips devastated her world.

"One million dollars.".

The world was turned around. She was dizzy, feeling the number itself pressing on her chest.

*One million dollars?*

Her throat became parched. She hadn't even been able to meet her daily expenses, and now she was supposed to come up with a million dollars?

She laughed hysterically; she knew there was nothing funny about this situation she found herself in. "I… I don't have that much money, sir. Can't we reduce the price?"

" I'm sorry ma'am, there's nothing we can do about it."

Silvia's throat clasped down on the lump. "I don't have that kind of money. I don't know how I can raise such an amount of money within a month."

"I see." His voice was hard but kind. "But if you wish your mother to live, you will have to find a way out."

She didn't answer. She couldn't. Her legs went weak as she spun around and lurched out of the doctor's surgery.

Her mother was awake when she flung open the ward. Witnessing her smile, though faint, should have reassured. But it did no more than cause Silvia's heart to ache further.

" Hi mum, how are you?" she asked with a faint smile on her face.

"I'll be alright," her mother whispered.

Silvia nodded, kissing a kiss to her forehead. But inside, she was screaming.

Silvia gripped her phone as she stood outside the hospital. She was scrolling through her contacts with trembling hands.

Rebecca.

Her chest grew constricted. It was unlikely, but it was the only thing she could do, for the time being at least, to ask Rebecca for assistance. As the phone rang, she pressed the call button and held her breath.

Rebecca's voice said, "Good afternoon." Silvia took a whiff. "Rebecca..."

"Have you been in tears?" Rebecca inquired in an inquisitive tone. Silvia nibbled on her lip. She had no time for small talk. "I need your assistance.

Mom. Mom is ill. For a moment, the other end was silent. "Is ill? What is the matter with her?” Silvia's throat constricted. She requires a heart transplant. It must take place before the following month. Rebecca gave a sharp exhale.

A transplant? That sounds very serious.

"It is." Silvia took a swallow. "I need your assistance. The doctor is asking for a lot of money, and I– All I need is your assistance in coming up with a million dollars. Quiet, then Rebecca snorted.

"What did you say?" "One million dollars." Rebecca gave a dry laugh. "Where do you think I'll get that much money, Silvia?" Silvia's heart fell. Despite her knowledge that this would be challenging, she had held out hope. "Please, Rebecca," she muttered.

"Anything you can spare, even if you don't have the entire amount." "I am unable to assist you," Rebecca stated bluntly. "I apologize." A tear ran down Silvia's cheek.

*Obviously.* –

Money was never a problem for Rebecca. However, she also wasn't the kind to give anything away without anticipating something in return.

Silvia hung up. Her time was already wasted.

Only one thing remained. A risky decision. She walked to the office after taking a deep breath. —

Silvia entered Ralph's office and found him already seated at his desk. He was obviously taken aback to see her when he looked up. “Silvia?” She had never before ventured so close to him. He was powerful, intimidating, and totally unattainable to her.

However, she was at a loss for options. He skipped the politeness and asked, "What is the problem?" Silvia felt her stomach turn. She blurted, "I need your help, sir." Ralph looked at her with interest as he reclined in his chair. "Go ahead." Silvia clenched her fingers. She detested this. She resented begging.

However, she detested the idea of losing her mother even more. Finally, she said, "I need a loan." Ralph furrowed his brow.

"A loan?" Her head nodded. "A million dollars."

A slow, unreadable smile curved his lips. Silvia felt her heart race. He could afford it, she was sure. What he would demand in return was the true question. And would she give it?