But she nodded solemnly, as if facing a war. "Okay. I'll go back and stabilize the situation."
"Olivia!" I shouted.
She didn't turn back.
She walked away decisively. Cleanly. Without a single glance at her dying mother-in-law.
At that moment, I finally woke up.
The bond between us was severed.
***
The wait at the emergency room was an eternity of torment.
Two hours later, the doctor emerged. His expression was grave.
"Your mother has had a heart condition for a long time. The extreme anger triggered a massive attack. She... she might not make it."
The words struck like lightning. A heart condition? I had no idea.
I rushed into the ward. She was awake, but her complexion was gray, her breathing shallow.
She looked at me and offered a weak, bleak smile. "Chris..."
"I didn't tell you... I was afraid you'd worry." Her voice was barely audible. "I knew you'd borrow money, beg people... do anything to save me. I didn't want you and Olivia to fight over the cost. So... cough, cough..."
I broke down.
I fell to my knees beside the bed. I grasped her rough, weather-beaten hand and pressed it to my tear-streaked face.