Lila stormed out of the tall glass building, her heels striking the polished marble floor of the lobby with sharp, angry clicks.
"That arrogant jerk!" she muttered under her breath, her face flushed. She pushed the glass doors open and stepped onto the pavement outside. Her feet hit the ground harder with each step, almost as if stomping could erase the humiliation she had just endured.
She wasn't just angry at his cold maddening smirk but also at the smug receptionist who had clearly enjoyed telling her she probably wouldn't get the job.
"Oh, if only she could see me now," Lila hissed, her fists clenching at her sides. "I'd love to laugh right in her face!"
She laughed triumphantly. "And that Ice Cube," she grumbled. "You just wait.. just wait and see what I'm made of."
The back of her neck aches from frustration, she held it rolling her head in circles to calm her nerves. "Oh I need caffeine."
Just as she was about to pull out her phone to look for the nearest coffee shop her phone rang.
She picked without checking the caller ID.
"Hello?" she snapped.
A panicked voice replied on the other end. "Lila."
Lila recognized that voice. It belonged to a nurse in the hospital where her brother was staying. "Mrs. Harris?"
"Your brother." The panic in Mrs. Harris voice hit Lila like a bucket of ice water.
"what? What happened?!" Lila's voice shook.
"He—he had another episode. I can't say much over the phone. You need to h—"
Before the she could finish, Lila hung up.
Her heart pounded so fast she could barely breathe. All the anger she had felt just seconds ago vanished instantly, replaced by a wave of cold. Sharp fear that made her hands tremble, goosebumps rising all over her body.
Her face went pale. Her chest tightened. Her vision blurred with warm tears.
"No, no, no…" she whispered, scanning the street desperately.
"Breath Lila... breath!!" She snapped as she couldn't stop panicking.
"Taxi! Taxi!" A yellow taxi pulled up as she waved frantically.
She yanked the door open and slid inside, barely able to catch her breath.
"St. Claire Community Hospital," she blurted out, her voice cracking. "Drive fast please. I'll pay extra—just go!"
The man glanced at her pale face through the rear-view mirror and nodded, pressing harder on the accelerator.
The ride felt like forever. Lila sat on the edge of the seat, her knee bouncing uncontrollably.
She clenched her hands together so tightly that her knuckles turned white. "Please, please be okay…" she kept whispering.
Every second felt like an hour. Her chest hurt from how fast her heart was beating. She just wish so bad that this episode doesn't take him away.
Finally they pulled up in front of the hospital. Lila shoved some bills into the driver's hand without even counting it. "Keep the change," she blurted, already halfway out of the car.
She ran into the hospital. Not knowing what to do what a second. Her legs were so weak, her mind was a mess. If anything, her brother meant more than life to her. Without him she has to purpose.
The faint smell of disinfectant filled her nose as soon as she came back to her senses. The distant beeping of monitors filled her ears, getting louder by the second. People moved through the narrow hallway, nurses in scrubs, a man wheeling a stretcher, a woman clutching her handbag and pacing nervously. So many situations in a hospital.
"Excuse me!" Lila called out, spotting the reception desk. "I'm here for my brother. Noah Hart."
A nurse with short brown hair and kind eyes looked up from her clipboard. "Are you his sister?"
"Lila." Mrs. Harris called from behind. "Thank goodness you're here."
Lila turned to meet Mrs. Harris petite figure. Her type 4c hair packed in a bun. "My brother?Is he okay?"
Mrs. Harris dark eyes lingered in on Lila for a few seconds before finally sighing and speaking up. "He is out of danger. For now."
Lila sighed in relief. "What happened?"
"He had an episode," She said gently. "His heart rate dropped too low, and he had trouble breathing. We managed to get him under control, but we both know this won't happen forever." She walked closer to Lila her face filled with sympathy. "Wish I could help Lila, but that poor boy needs his surgery fast. The worse could have happened today. And I love that boy so much."
Lila nodded. "I understand. And I'll make sure he has the surgery before it's too late."
"Okay. Take good care of yourself too. His room was changed by the way."
"What number?"
"Room 12, down the hall to your left."
"Thank you," Lila whispered giving Harris a small smile before hurrying in that direction.
Her steps slowed as she reached the door. She pushed it open quietly, afraid to wake him.
The room was small, with cream-colored walls and a faint hum from the air conditioner. In the middle of the room was a single bed, and on it laid Noah.
Her little brother.
He looked so small under the blanket. His skin was pale, his lips dry. His eyes were closed, his breathing shallow but steady. He was only fourteen, but at that moment, he seemed so much younger… so fragile.
Lila's heart ached. While other boys his age were in school, playing soccer and laughing with friends, Noah was here, fighting to stay alive.
She pulled a chair close to the bed and sat down slowly.
Her trembling hand reached for his, and she held it gently.
"I'm sorry, Noah," she whispered, her voice breaking. "I'm so sorry for being a bad sister. For not being able to get the money you needed for your surgery. For not being here all the time."
Her tears fell onto his hand, but she didn't wipe them away. "But I promise you… I'm.. I'm going to fix this. I don't know how yet, but I will. It's only a matter of time before I get the money, and then you'll be free from all of this. You'll get to live like every other boy out there."
She lowered her head, crying quietly.
After a moment, she felt a small squeeze on her fingers. She looked up.
Noah's eyes were opened, and he was looking at her with a weak but warm smile.
"Don't cry, Lila," he said softly. His voice was faint but steady. "I'm okay. Really."
Lila shook her head, trying to smile back through her tears. "No, you're not okay. You're just pretending to be strong."
He gave a tiny shrug. "Maybe. But if I'm strong, maybe it'll help you to be strong too. you don't have to be sorry, Lila. You're doing your best and that's enough for me."
Her chest tightened again, but this time it wasn't from fear, it was from love. She leaned forward and kissed his forehead, holding his hand tighter.
"I love you, kiddo," she murmured.
"I love you too," he whispered back, closing his eyes again.
She sat there for a long time, watching his breathing. The rhythmic rise and fall of his chest. She listened to the steady beep of the heart monitor.
For now, he was safe. That was all that mattered. But deep down, Lila knew time was running out. And no matter what, she would get the money.
No matter what it cost her.
**5 hours later**
Noah was already sitting up a little in bed when Lila returned from the bathroom with a cup of water. His cheeks still looked pale, but his eyes were brighter than earlier. He was telling Lila about a funny dream he had when the door quietly opened.
"Guess who's here?" a familiar cheerful voice said.
Lila turned and smiled. "Kate."
Noah's face lit up instantly. "Kate!" He opened his arms wide.
Kate walked in, wearing her usual black jeans and a loose T-shirt. She went straight to the bed and wrapped Noah in a gentle hug. "Hey champ. I heard you gave everyone a scare again," she said softly, her tone both teasing and comforting.
Noah chuckled. "You know me… I just like keeping everyone on their toes."
Kate shook her head but smiled warmly. "Just stay strong for us, okay?" She patted his hair before turning to Lila.
Kate stepped closer, put a hand on Lila's back, and lowered her voice. "You okay?"
Lila gave her a small nod and a smile. "Yeah. I'm fine," she said, even though her eyes still held traces of worry.
She knew Lila wasn't okay. She had always valued her brother more than anybody. Watching her only family die slowly is a lot for her.
Kate didn't push further, she knew Lila would never say 'i'm not okay.' Instead, she brightened and said, "I brought food!" She held up a small food bag like it was treasure. That's the only way to lighten things up.
To pretend.
Noah's eyes widened. "Real food? Not hospital food?"
"Of course," Kate said proudly as she began unpacking containers.
"Oh wow," Noah said, pretending to faint. "Finally, someone who loves me enough to bring good food that's not Lila's."
Lila narrowed her eyes playfully. "Excuse me? What's wrong with my cooking?"
Noah smirked. "Nothing… except the salt. I'm sure Kate's food won't taste like your ocean meal."
Kate laughed as Lila gasped dramatically. "You little brat! I'll remember that."