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Chapter 4 Mom Is Hospitalized

My heart clenched, and a bad feeling hit me like a ton of bricks. "Yeah, it's me. Who are you, and why do you have my mom's phone?"

The voice on the other end said, "She fainted at the supermarket and has been taken to Evergreen Hospital. You need to get here fast!"

My mind went blank, and I bolted out the door, flagging down a taxi. "Evergreen Hospital, please, hurry!"

The driver looked like he was about to question me, but seeing how freaked out I was, he held back.

When we got to the hospital, I ignored the pain in my legs and sprinted to the emergency room, where I found my father, Beckett Brown,  pacing back and forth outside.

"Dad, how's Mom?" I asked, breathless.

Beckett, who never cried even when he broke his arm, had tears in his eyes. "Your mom's still in there. The doctor said she has a brain tumor pressing on her nerves. It's really serious..."

His words made my head spin. How could this be happening?

Just yesterday, before I left, Tammy had jokingly told me not to stay out too late. And now she was in the emergency room?

Seeing me about to collapse, Beckett guided me to a chair. "Kathie, don't worry. Your mom will pull through."

I nodded, feeling numb and drenched in cold sweat.

Suddenly, a familiar scent hit me, and I looked up to see Howard standing out in a crowd of people. My stare must have been too intense because he turned and looked right at me. Quickly, I ducked my head and tried to blend into the corner, remembering his warning from this morning to stay out of his sight.

If he saw me now, I'd be in big trouble. Luckily, Howard walked right past me without stopping. I let out a sigh of relief, but a tiny part of me felt disappointed.

But I didn't have time to dwell on it as the doctor came out of the ER, and Beckett and I rushed over.

"Doctor, how is she? Is my mom going to be okay?" I asked, my voice shaking.

The doctor said, "She's out of immediate danger, but the tumor in her brain needs surgery as soon as possible."

He quickly added, "But don't worry. Mr. Wilson has arranged for the best neurosurgeon to perform the surgery in a few days."

Beckett and I were stunned. Howard?

The doctor continued, "And you don't need to worry about the costs. Mr. Wilson will cover everything."

I was even more confused. Howard didn't want anything to do with me, so why was he helping?

Before I could process this, the doctor went on to explain that Tammy's surgery was covered, but she needed to stay in the ICU until she was stable.

The ICU cost ten thousand dollars a day, and we needed a specialized nurse for her care. How could someone like me afford that?

I had already blown all my savings on trying to get information about Howard. The only money I had left was the million-dollar check Howard had given me.

I thought about cashing it, but his stern face and harsh words always stopped me. I couldn't bear the thought of him looking down on me for using his money.

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