Callie sat on the hallway bench, hugging her knees, feeling very insecure.
“Nelson, do you smell it? The disinfectant. I hate that smell; it makes me feel suffocated,” she said softly.
Nelson’s Adam’s apple moved. He had never comforted such a fragile woman before and didn’t know how to start.
Callie kept talking, as if speaking was the only way to calm her anxiety. “When your grandfather was sick, how did you feel? Were you sad?”
Nelson sat beside her, his voice gentle. “I was anxious, just like you are now. Even though I wasn’t short of money, at that moment I realized that no amount of money could defeat illness.”
Callie closed her eyes, feeling the same way now. “Three years ago, everyone advised me to give up treatment. They said even if he survived, he would be like a walking corpse. It would drain all my money and become a burden to me. More importantly, he would be in pain.”
“But I didn’t care. I wanted him to live. He had to live as my father. He raised me for so many years and I haven’t repaid him yet…” She took a deep breath, tears rolling down her cheeks like pearls.
Nelson wrapped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her into his embrace, his chin resting on the top of her head. “Your father has held on for so many years for you. He understands.”
Callie looked up with tear-filled eyes, seeking reassurance. “Really? He doesn’t blame me? Then why is this happening today? Is he tired? Does he want to leave?”
Nelson lifted his hand and gently wiped the tears from her face with his thumb. “He must be upset because you haven’t visited him in a while.”
Callie paused, then quickly nodded. “Yes, that’s it. I haven’t talked to him in a long time. It’s my fault he’s angry.”
Seeing her repeat herself, Nelson’s heart ached for her. The boundaries he had once felt disappeared completely; he only wanted to stop her from crying.
At that moment, the door of the operating room opened. Tobias led a group of doctors in white coats.
“Tobias! How is my father?” Callie stumbled forward.
Tobias glanced at the man behind her before frowning slightly and speaking gently. “Don’t worry, we managed to save him. He’s out of danger now.”
Callie felt weak with relief and patted her chest. “That’s good. Why did this happen today?”
Tobias removed his medical gloves and patiently explained, “Your father has been bedridden for three years and has been on continuous medication. Heart and lung failure is a normal occurrence. Although we saved him this time, if he doesn’t wake up soon, there could be more problems in the future.”
Callie listened intently. “Okay…”
“You need to make every effort to wake him up,” Tobias continued to look at her. “Callie, there’s not much time left.”
Callie understood and nodded vigorously. “Okay, as long as he can survive, I’ll do my best.”
Their conversation ended, and the doctors behind Tobias approached Nelson respectfully. “Mr. Oconnor, you’re here.”
They were the medical team he had arranged.
Nelson lifted his eyelids, his tone calm yet commanding. “Ensure you do your best in the upcoming treatment.”
Tobias pursed his lips and looked at the distinguished man before him. “Callie, who is this?”
Callie finally realized she hadn’t introduced Nelson and was momentarily at a loss for words.
“He…”