James's face turned pale as he dashed off with the nurse. I forced myself to my feet and hurried after them. Before reaching Alice’s room, I saw a group of medical staff crowding the ward. James stood by the bed, frowning, holding a defibrillator. Alice lay motionless, her clothes lifted, various monitors attached to her body.
A rush of fear surged through me. I struggled to contain my trembling, too terrified to make a sound. It felt as though my heart was tethered to the fluctuating heart rate on Alice’s monitor, every fluctuation tugging at my own heart.
Finally, Alice’s heart rate began to stabilize. James seemed to let out a sigh of relief. For the first time, he gently caressed Alice’s freshly shaved head, almost resembling a father.
As James emerged, looking somewhat guilty, I rushed up and slammed my fist into him. “James, if anything happens to Alice, I’ll hold you responsible!”
James pushed me away angrily. “Are you out of your mind, Amelia? Can’t you see Alice is fine?”
“You should know I secured that spot for Alice through my connections. Now you’ve given it to Olivia. You should be aware of the consequences,” I said, pointing at James, my voice low and strained.
James snorted coldly and walked away. After that, I didn’t dare leave Alice’s side for even a moment.
Late at night, Alice finally woke up, grabbing my hand and looking at me with joy. “Mom, is my surgery done? Can I go to the park soon?”
Looking at her hopeful face, I didn’t know how to respond. I turned away, afraid for her to see the tears welling in my eyes. Weakly, Alice lifted her hand and tugged at my sleeve. “Mom, stop crying; it makes me feel bad.”
Outside, it began to rain heavily, and the droplets drumming against the windows, unsettling me. I looked at Alice’s pale face and began to feel afraid. I embraced her, feeling the heat radiating from her feverish body.
Alice murmured weakly, “Mom, I know Dad operated on Olivia’s daughter today. I know, but I envy her... Mom, I want to be healthy too, to grow up by your side, but it hurts so much.”
Tears streamed down my face as I held her tightly. “Alice, don’t speak. You’ll get better. I will find a new kidney for you. Just wait a little longer,” I reassured her.
Alice rested her head on my lap, finding solace in my embrace. “Great, I’ll have a little brother in the future. But I may not be able to see him. Mom, you have to remember to apologize to him on my behalf.”
I couldn’t tell if it was because of tears in my eyes or hers, but Alice’s gaze gradually became vacant. “Mom, I want to see Dad again.”
Desperately, I cried out, watching the heart rate on the monitor gradually decline, frantically pressing the nurse call button. “Help, someone, please, save my child. Please, save my Alice. Hold on a little longer, okay? I’m begging you.”
Alice raised her small hand to touch my face, smiling. “Mom, don’t cry. I’m happy to be your child. In the next life, I want to be your child again, okay?”
I nodded through my tears. “You’ll always be my child. Alice, don’t sleep, look at me, okay?”
But Alice’s hand slowly drooped, and her eyes closed gently. A group of people in white rushed into the ward. I could no longer distinguish whether they were doctors or angels.