Chapter 1

"Mommy, don't cry." "I’m not in pain, not at all." My daughter's pale face still managed a small smile as she reached out to wipe the tears from my eyes. In front of the surgery room, filled with the harsh smell of antiseptics, my daughter leaned against me, her hand hooked up to several IV drips. "Diana, be good. Daddy will be here soon. We'll get your surgery done soon, Diana." A ping from my phone signaled a withdrawal notification. Diana's condition had worsened suddenly. The doctor said surgery was urgent, it had to be done tonight. The cost was exorbitant, and we didn't have enough money at the time. So, I took my daughter to the hospital to register, while my husband Ken Morris went to the bank with my card to withdraw all our savings. It wasn’t until my daughter’s clothes were soaked with cold sweat that Ken’s figure finally appeared on the hospital’s lobby surveillance screen. Relief washed over me. The bank was still some distance from the hospital, and with the traffic jam at peak hours, it was remarkable that Ken arrived so quickly. What he had done touched me deeply because he usually wasn't fond of us. In the face of life and death, the sooner the surgery, the greater the chance for my daughter to survive. Ken quickly settled the payment. On the screen, he looked anxious, clutching the surgery order as he rushed toward the operating room. "Daddy." As I glanced down the corridor, Diana’s eyes seemed to light up with a glimmer of hope. She reached out her trembling hand towards him. "Excuse me, who's here for the surgery?" I held Diana, ready to take the order from him. But before Diana's hand could touch his clothes, Ken brushed past us, supporting someone else. "Doctor, it's her, Hannah." He was breathing heavily, passing us by to head straight for Hannah. "Ken, it hurts..." The woman in his arms bit her lip, tears welling up in her eyes, looking like an innocent, fragile flower. Ken held her, comforting her with deep concern. I recognized her—Ken's first love. “Doctor, there seems to be a mistake. The surgery should be for Diana." My heart skipped a beat, but I tried to keep my voice as steady as possible. The doctor checked the name on the order repeatedly. “There’s no mistake. It’s for Hannah.” Out of Ken's sight, Hannah glared at me with a fierce look. Her cheeks were flushed, hardly looking like someone tormented by illness. With the surgery prepared, the doctor began clearing the area. "Alright, only the patient and family members may enter. Everyone else, please leave."