My dad suddenly collapsed and needed emergency treatment at the hospital, and they required a $100 payment. As a full-time stay-at-home mom for years, I’ve had to rely on my husband, Albert, for living expenses each month. With only about $60 left in my phone balance, I asked Albert, “Can you lend me $100 for Dad’s treatment? I’ll pay you back as soon as he’s awake.”
To my shock, Albert snapped, “No way. He’s not my dad, so why should I give you the money?” Elaine, his wife, even barged into the hospital and yelled at me, “Your dad’s death isn’t my son’s problem. Stop trying to use his money.”
Later, Elaine was seriously injured and ended up in the ICU. I casually said, “She’s not my mom. Just take off the oxygen tube.”
——
The doctor kept pressing me for the payment, and I was frantically trying to unlock my dad’s phone, but it kept saying, “Phone is locked.”
Desperate, I turned to Albert, who was lounging in a chair playing a game and said, “Albert, I can’t unlock Dad’s phone. Can you give me $100 for the payment? The doctor’s waiting.”
Albert gave me a disdainful look and said, “Didn’t I just give you money a few days ago?”
I explained quietly, “That was over a month ago. The $400 you gave us covered our family’s expenses, and I only have about $10 left now.”
Albert raised an eyebrow and went back to his game, ignoring me.
The doctor kept urging me, so I grabbed Albert’s phone. “Stop playing. Give me the money now. Dad needs to be checked.”
Albert, looking annoyed, yanked his phone back and snapped, “No. He’s not my dad. Why should I give you the money?”
My anger flared up, and I wanted to slap him, but I couldn’t. I’ve depended on Albert for years, and Dad needed the payment.
I clenched my fists and pleaded softly, “Can you at least transfer the $400 for living expenses? If we don’t pay, Dad could die. All these years, Dad has treated you like a son. He’s working in this heat to help us. Please, just $100. Save him.”
Tears welled up as I spoke, and people around started to gather. Embarrassed, Albert threw his card on the floor and grumbled, “Here, you just keep spending my money. Marrying you has been nothing but trouble.”
Blushing with shame, I bent down to pick up the card. Just then, Elaine stormed in and charged toward me.
Elaine stormed up and shoved me hard.
I stumbled backward and slammed my head into the wall. Dazed, I crumpled to the floor.
Elaine snatched Albert’s credit card from the ground, placed her hands on her hips, and yelled, “What’s your game? Were you and your dad trying to scam Albert out of money?”
She turned to Albert and continued, “Let’s get out of here. Don’t let this woman take advantage of you.
“She’s part of our family but still only cares about her own. Who knows how much she’s already drained from you over the years?”
With that, she shoved Albert toward the door.
I scrambled to my feet and grabbed Albert’s sleeve, pleading, “Don’t leave. You still haven’t given me the money. If you don’t help my dad, I’ll divorce you.”
Albert hesitated, his steps faltering.
Elaine spun around and kicked me in the stomach, dragging Albert along. “What are you scared of? She still expects you to support her, and there’s a kid involved too.”
Without a second thought, Albert followed Elaine out of the hospital. People around us whispered and pointed, gossiping about the scene.
I was left on the floor, clutching my stomach, feeling utterly helpless. Without the money, I couldn’t pay the fee. How was I supposed to save my dad?
Just then, a nurse from the emergency room hurried over. She helped me up and said with sympathy in her eyes, “Your dad is awake. You should go see him.”
I grabbed her arm, panic rising, “Really? But I haven’t paid yet.”
The nurse reassured me, “We know about your situation. The hospital has prioritized your dad’s treatment. You can settle the bill later.”
Overwhelmed with relief, I could barely find the words to thank her. The nurse patted me on the shoulder and smiled, “Don’t worry about it. Go take care of your dad.”
I rushed into the ward to find my dad lying on the bed, looking pale. When he saw me, he managed a weak smile and said, “Why couldn’t you figure out my phone password? It’s your birthday.”
“Make sure to pay the examination fee as soon as you can. Don’t make things hard for the hospital.”
The drama with Albert had spread like wildfire, so my dad must have heard about it. I let all the tears I’d been holding back flow freely.
I collapsed next to him, sobbing uncontrollably, “I’m so sorry, Dad. I’m worthless. I almost caused you to die.”
Dad weakly patted me and said softly, “I understand your struggles. It’s not your fault. I’m not upset with you.” As he spoke, he drifted back to sleep.
Fortunately, the doctor said Dad was fine. He had fainted from heat exhaustion and would need a few days of IV fluids before he could be discharged.
Now, as I sat quietly by his bedside, my heart slowly started to calm. Reflecting on everything that happened today, I was still shaken.
My dad, in his sixties, was working in 40°C heat on a construction site. He did it all for me, knowing I was at home with the kids and Albert wasn’t providing any support.
Dad worked hard to help us, and thankfully, he was brought to the hospital in time. But what if something like this happens again?
Meanwhile, Albert’s family seemed to enjoy the benefits of my sacrifices without a second thought.
Thinking about Albert and Elaine’s actions made my blood boil.
