Chapter 2 Surgery

• Henry's tone was light but laced with an emotion I couldn't decipher. Was it disappointment? Or something else entirely?
• Carol bit her lip, tears welling in her eyes as if she longed to explain. "Do you know Jasmine?" she managed to ask.
• Henry's hand tightened around my waist, pulling me closer. I could feel the hard muscles beneath his shirt, the intimate gesture sending a shiver down my spine.
• He reached out and ruffled my hair affectionately, his voice thick with meaning. "We're more than just acquainted."
• His cryptic words and sudden shift in demeanour left me reeling.
• "Henry, you two aren't suitable for each other. You don't have to ... "
• Carol's gaze burned into him, but she fell silent under Richard's watchful eye.
• A mocking smile curved Henry's lips. "Don't have to what?"
• The situation was clear as day.
• In a bold move, I looped my arms around his neck and, using his support, rose on tiptoe to brush my lips against his. To my surprise, he deepened the kiss, his hold on me both tender and possessive.
• My heart pounded in my chest. I tried to pull away, but his grip only tightened, a silent warning.
• Richard grabbed my arm, yanking me from Henry's embrace. "Jasmine, have you no shame?"
• I wrenched free, my voice dripping with scorn. "An apple doesn't fall far from the tree! You have no right to lecture me."
• His face flushed with anger, and he reached for me again. But Henry intercepted his hand, his eyes cold with barely suppressed rage. "Mr. Newton, today is your wedding."
• Realisation dawned on Richard as he noticed the guests' stares. He released my arm with a final glare and muttered, "You disgrace! Get out!"
• Before I could retort, Henry swept me up in his arms. I gasped, instinctively clutching his neck as he met my gaze with a faint smile.
• "Let's go," he said softly. "Since this house doesn't welcome you, I'll take you home."
• The word "home" sent a warmth through me, despite the circumstances.
• Richard's face turned a deep shade of purple. "Jasmine, if you step out of this house today, then ... "
• Henry carried me away without looking back, Richard's voice fading into the distance.
• A bitter taste rose in my throat. This was my home, yet I was being cast out like a stranger.
• Outside the villa, Henry stopped beside a nondescript Buick, a stark contrast to the luxury cars lining the driveway.
• Where was he taking me?
• His voice was cool, his gaze distant. "Aren't you getting down? Your act seems to be going a bit too far."
• Heat flooded my cheeks as I realised the situation. I quickly scrambled out of his arms, muttering an apology. "I'm sorry ... "
• I straightened up, wincing at the pain in my knee. The wound looked nasty, but at least it had stopped bleeding.
• Henry glanced at me once, his expression indifferent, before getting into his car and driving away.
• I stood there, stunned, a wave of guilt washing over me.
• Not long ago, I had almost confessed my feelings to him. Now, his girlfriend had left him to marry my father.
• The absurdity of it all was almost laughable.
• By the time I reached the hospital, the sky had darkened.
• I limped to the nearest doctor to get my knee treated. As I was getting it bandaged, a nurse poked her head in. "Jasmine, you're back? Your mother is in critical condition ... "
• My heart lurched. "What happened? Which room?"
• "I'm not sure," she replied, "but she suddenly had trouble breathing. She's in the resuscitation room on the 5th floor."
• My mind raced as I sprinted towards the operating room, every second feeling like an eternity.
• Just as I reached the operating room door, it swung open, and the doctor emerged, his face etched with solemnity. "Your mother's condition is critical. She needs surgery as soon as possible. Another episode like today could be fatal."
• My heart pounded in my chest as I nodded rapidly. "Yes, of course," I choked out. "When can the surgery be scheduled?"
• He glanced at a clipboard his assistant had handed him. "Next Thursday at the earliest. The cost will be approximately thirty thousand dollars."
• "Please arrange it," I urged. "I'll pay as soon as I can."
• I stumbled towards the payment office, my mind racing. Checking the balance on my mother's treatment card, I felt a wave of despair wash over me. A measly 500 dollars remained.
• After the last top-up, I didn't have much money left.
• I wandered back to the ward in a daze, the doctor's words echoing in my ears.
• Tears welled up, but I forced them back as I looked at my unconscious mother.
• With trembling hands, I pulled out my phone and scrolled through my contacts.
• My finger hovered over Richard's name for a long moment before I finally gathered the courage to dial.
• A cold, feminine voice answered. "Jasmine?"