Chapter 18

Chris rushed from Stephanie's house to the hospital. Olivia's foot injury had initially seemed minor, with a planned discharge. However, she'd suddenly worsened and lost consciousness.

Upon arriving at the emergency room, Chris found Catlin weeping uncontrollably. Through her sobs, she managed, "Chris, you're here... Olivia... she..." Overwhelmed with grief, she could say no more.

Panicked, Chris steadied her. "What's going on?"

Tyler intervened, his voice calm yet strained. "She's in ER. They've just completed urgent tests."

Catlin added, through tears, "Besides uterine cancer, she has heart disease and liver problems. What are we supposed to do? Why is this happening to her?" Her desperation was palpable.

Hearing this news, Chris's face hardened. Catlin continued, "It's all those struggles living abroad the past two years... That's why she's so sick."

Chris remained silent, the weight of her words heavy upon him. The fragility of the human body struck him; a single malfunction could trigger a cascade of failures. For Olivia, it felt as though everything was collapsing simultaneously. A miracle seemed the only recourse.

By Chris's arrival, the hospital director had assembled a team of specialists. His grim expression deepened at the sight of the director. Taking a deep breath, he demanded, his voice sharp, "No matter the cost, you must save her." He narrowed his eyes, adding, "Otherwise, I swear I'll shut this place down."

The director visibly flinched, perspiration beading on his forehead. From behind the specialists, Allison muttered, "Nice move, genius. Threatening doctors? Why not just smash her ventilator while you're at it?"

Meanwhile, at Stephanie's house, she was half-asleep, her phone incessantly buzzing. She repeatedly ignored the calls. Finally, frustrated, she answered.

"Someone better be dead," she mumbled groggily. She'd broken up with her boyfriend earlier that day, and the incessant ringing was driving her to distraction.

"Stefi, it's me." Allison's voice cut through.

Stephanie rubbed her eyes, checking the time. It was already one in the morning. She slapped her face lightly to rouse herself. "Aren't you off work yet?" Allison's late call felt unusual.

Allison replied, "What's going on with you and Chris? You were supposed to marry in a week, and now he's frantic about Olivia?"

Stephanie hesitated. "Didn't you see the news today?"

A pause. "What news?" Allison clearly hadn't.

Stephanie sighed. "I called off the wedding. I dumped him."

Allison gasped. "Wow! You moved on fast?"

Stephanie blinked, surprised by the question. Reflecting on the past years, she wondered if she'd tried too hard to be the perfect girlfriend. Even her best friend seemed to believe she'd been in love with Chris all along. But it no longer mattered.

"Olivia's really in the hospital?" Stephanie asked, changing the subject.

Allison's tone was serious. "Yes, and she has significant health issues." The late-night mobilization of multiple departments indicated a critical situation.

Stephanie: "What issues?"

Allison consulted her notes. "Uterine cancer, heart disease, and I suspect liver cancer, though unconfirmed."

Stephanie's eyes widened, shocked by the severity. "Wait, so many diseases?"

Allison nodded. "Yeah, crazy, right? Isn't it kinda what she deserves though?"

Stephanie sighed. "Definitely." A sense of karmic retribution settled upon her. Olivia's dishonesty and manipulative behavior seemed to have caught up with her.

"But all these illnesses... they're so random. How does she even get uterine cancer?" Stephanie questioned, surprised at Olivia's young age.

Allison hesitated. "That... I can't really say." Her reluctance hinted at a sensitive issue.

"I'm a professional," Allison continued, "not here to gossip. But I'll tell you this: after tomorrow, I'm going overseas. I won't be involved in her treatment."

Stephanie rubbed her eyes. "Thanks." While Allison's expertise was invaluable, other skilled doctors existed. Besides, Allison harbored a deep dislike for Olivia, who had nearly cost Stephanie her life. No sympathy existed among them for Olivia.