Hospital bill

Chapter one

As the radiant sun stretched its golden rays across the land, Ethan, a young man with a bowed head, tentatively clothed himself in tattered garments. The atmosphere inside his abode bore witness to the aftermath of tears, casting a crimson hue upon the walls.

 “I can't discern your words clearly! What in the world is it that you want?” bellowed Mrs. Williams, Ethan's formidable mother-in-law. 

Her voice resonated with such ferocious anger that it seemed to pierce through the surrounding walls. 

Ethan bowed his head as he glared at his mother-in-law through his eyelashes, his body was shaking as he tried as much as he could to bottle up his anger. 

“I need money for my mother's medication…" he said, trying as much as he could to be polite.

Mrs. Williams responded with a cruel burst of laughter, callously dismissing his request. Then, slowly rising from her seat, she glanced around the room before her eyes settled upon Claire, Ethan's wife, 

“Can you see what you got married to, Claire? A liability? He isn't useful, and he even has the audacity to ask me for money,” Mrs. Williams yelled, each of her words slicing through Ethan's pride and dignity. He gritted his teeth angrily as Mrs Williams words piece into his heart.

Claire's gaze fell to her shoes, overwhelmed with a profound sense of shame for her choice. 

“And you” Mrs. Williams averted her furious gaze back to Ethan. “Do you think you have the right to ask me for money?” She continued, her eyes settling upon Ethan's face. Ethan took a deep breath before replying with

“I am sorry, Mrs. Williams. The money is significant for my mother, please help me ma'am.” 

He bite his lower lip in contemplation, it seem as though he's having an internal battle. After fighting with his mind for a while, he dropped to his knees.

He knew this was disgraceful, he knew he's throwing away his pride and letting them stomp on his dignity, but he didn't let that bother him.

What is pride and dignity when he's poor? What is pride and dignity when his mother is in a critical condition, and needed money urgently?

“Can you tell me your usefulness in this house, please? House chores you can't do? Work as a man that you are, you can't. All you do is stay in the hospital all day, you're totally useless to me and your wife”

Mrs. Williams faced her daughter again.

“I warned you, Claire, but you never listened, you claimed you're in love” she let out a brief laugh, but it was full of mockery. “Now tell me, is this love or stupidity?” then she walked back to her seat.

She carried the cup of coffee on the table before walking back to Ethan. She took a few sips then made a disapproving expression, and before Ethan could fathom her next action, the cup of hot coffee was emptied on his head.

“Mother!” Claire exclaimed as she found her mother's action surprising and cruel.

She wanted to say something, but one glare from her mother was enough to shut her up.

Ethan clenched his jaw tightly, his breath rapid and anger was boiling in him...he was full of anger, but he managed to keep his calm.

“You're getting it wrong, Mrs. Williams” Ethan spoke. 

He straightened up to explain himself, wiping off as much coffee as he could to prevent it from entering his eyes. 

“I wasn't asking you to gift me the money, I mean, I just need you to lend me the money and I will pay you back” he said.

“And how do you intend to pay?” Mrs. Williams asked, knowing fully well that Ethan is jobless and has no means of paying back the money right away.

Ethan was just speechless. There's nothing he could say at this moment, so he simply clenched his fists and shut his eyes.

“I don't have any money for your useless mother's hospital bill. In fact, you and my daughter are going to get a divorce”

Ethan's left eyebrow raised immediately she said that. He looked between Claire and her mother, hoping she would say something, but she didn't. His jaw was clenched, his teeth gritted, as he prepared himself for what was to come

“Yes, my daughter can't keep going on with this” 

He looked away and shook his head, he couldn't do anything, but could only glare at the floor while clenching his fists angrily. He knew what his mother-in-law said was nothing but the truth, he didn't contribute anything to the family, but he came to ask for money.

Furthermore, he couldn't help the different thoughts that were running Helter skelter in his mind. He couldn't help the “what ifs” parading his mind.

“I'm sorry, " he muttered. “My apologies, Mrs. Williams," Ethan pleaded. “The money is of utmost importance to my mother's well-being. Please, I implore you, ma'am, for your help.” 

Even though he didn't want to sound desperate, the desperation in his voice couldn't assistance.

In response, Mrs. Williams landed a resounding slap on his face.

His brow furrowed and his lips turned down into a scowl, revealing his displeasure at the situation.

To Mrs Williams, his days spent at the hospital caring for his mother were nothing more than evidence of his supposed worthlessness. 

“Mother!” Claire interjected, her voice filled with a mix of concern and frustration. 

The intensity of her glare from her mother was enough to silence her momentarily. 

“I didn't ask for a gift, I simply needed a loan. I promise to pay you back,” Ethan lamented, his words carrying a hint of urgency and determination.

He was getting the humiliation of ten lifetimes, but he didn't care, he just needed to get the money at all cost.

“How do you intend to repay the loan?” she inquired, but Ethan remained silent, his hand clenched tightly into a fist, revealing his deeply rooted frustration.

“I don't have the funds for your mother's hospital bills, and furthermore, you're divorcing my daughter. This situation cannot continue,” Mrs. Williams declared, her tone laced with a sense of finality. 

Ethan felt anger boiling inside him, but he quickly controlled himself because he knew everything his mother-in-law said was nothing but the truth.

“I'm sorry,” he murmured softly, his hands trembled and his voice quivered, revealing his deep sense of unease, quietly rising from the floor.

With a heavy weight of remorse now burdening his every step, he walked out of the house, seeking solace in the open air as he attempted to clear his mind.

Thoughts swirled within him, contemplating where he could possibly acquire the necessary funds. Friends and extended family were not an option, since he doesn't have any friends or family, leaving his mother as the sole possibility. 

Ethan's phone erupted into a loud ring, beckoning his attention and bringing him back to the present.

Swiftly retrieving it from his pocket, he deftly swiped the answer button and brought it closer to his ear, ready to receive the voice on the other end. 

“Hello, am I speaking to Mr. Ethan Johnson?” the caller inquired. 

Ethan instinctively nodded his head in response, momentarily forgetting that the caller couldn't see him. 

“Yes, I am Mr. Johnson. May I ask who I am speaking with?” he replied, his tone poised and expectant.

“It is the Saint Andrews hospital calling. We need to inform you that if the outstanding hospital bill for your mother is not paid promptly, we may have to transfer her care to another facility,” the caller relayed. 

"Thank you for notifying me. I assure you that I will make the necessary payment before the end of this week,” Ethan replied with determination, bringing the conversation to a close as he ended the call.

Motivated by an unwavering determination to save his mother's life, Ethan knew he had to find a way to secure the necessary funds. 

In a stroke of inspiration, his gaze settled upon a nearby hospital, igniting a flicker of hope within him. 

Eager to explore all options, he decided to enter, contemplating the possibility of donating blood in exchange for some financial assistance. 

"Excuse me," someone said as Ethan was about to step his foot into the hospital. Startled, Ethan swiftly turned back to see who the person was, only to be greeted by a tall, dark-haired man. 

The man's imposing height and commanding presence demanded attention. As he bowed respectfully to Ethan, a sense of deference emanated from his posture. His voice, deep and gravelly, carried a weight of experience and wisdom.

 "Greetings, young master," the man spoke with a sense of purpose.

 "I've been searching for you for a long time."