A few hours ago, Anabel came for a check-up regarding her pregnancy. She had been feeling some pains in her stomach, so she came to check herself. Her hands were clasped together in her lap as she chatted with the doctor after the test had been done.
"You don't have any kind of complications. Everything looks great." The doctor said with a smile as he viewed her result. "Your baby is healthy and developing right on schedule. The pain is just a normal stomach trouble. I will give you a drug that will stop the pain. "
Anabel beamed with happiness when she heard the doctor say that. She was happy it wasn't a complication. She had been a little worried about the pregnancy, but it seemed like everything was going to be okay.
While they were still talking, a nurse burst into the room, looking scared and frazzled. "I'm sorry to interrupt, sir." She apologized before she continued. "We have a serious situation with one of our patients. Her health is at risk, and if we don't do something immediately, it may turn catastrophic."
"What's going on?" The doctor asked.
The nurse hesitated, glancing at Anabel before responding, "It's one of our ICU patients. The older woman. She is experiencing severe complications, and we need to do something fast to stabilize her condition."
"The old woman?" The doctor asked, and the nurse nodded. "Yes, sir."
"I'm afraid, but there's nothing we can do for her now." The doctor replied, and the nurse's eyes widened in alarm. "But doctor, we have to do something." She urged. "Her life is at risk."
"I understand. You don't have to explain to me. I understand the gravity of the situation, but my hands are tied. The patient or the family has not made the required deposit, and our policy is clear. No deposit, no treatment. We can't start treatment when they have not responded."
The nurse looked crestfallen."But sir, can't we make some exception in this case? This is a matter of life and death." She pleaded.
"I'm afraid, we can't." The doctor refused. "We've had problems with patients not paying their bills in the past, and we can't make exceptions."
The nurse looked like she was about to argue further, but the doctor's firm voice brooked no argument. She nodded reluctantly and turned to leave.
When the nurse left, the doctor turned his attention to Anabel. "I apologize for the interruption."
"It's alright. And...I want to see the woman...the patient." Anabel said. "I want to help."
"You don't have to bother yourself. One of her family had gone to look for the money."
"But the nurse just said her health is getting worse. Let me see the patient and know how I can help." Anabel urged.
The doctor sighed, clearly relenting. "It's okay if you insist. You can follow me."
The doctor stood up, and Anabel followed him. When they got into the patient room, Anabel's eyes widened in shock as she gazed at the woman who had made her life a living hell. Her ex-husband's mother, the woman who had constantly belittled and maltreated her. The woman who manipulated her son into divorcing her by accusing her of barrenness. Anabel's mind flooded with memories of the pain and suffering she had endured at the woman's hands.
But why is the doctor complaining about payment? Desmond can chest any amount, no matter how costly the sickness is. The last time she checked, Desmond was not bankrupt or broke.
"Who brought her here? And why haven't they made any payment?" Anabel asked.
"A young lady who looked like her daughter brought her." The doctor answered."She said she will call her brother, but it seemed she was unable to reach him. I think she left. I don't know what is taking her time. We don't have time. Anything can happen any time from now."
For a moment, Anabel felt a surge of anger and resentment. She wanted to turn and walk away. She wanted to forget that she had seen her and leave her to her fate. But as she looked at her pale and drawn face, she felt a pang of pity. Despite all she had done to her, she couldn't bring herself to watch her die.
"How much are we talking about?
"One hundred thousand dollars." The doctor answered.
Without hesitation, Anabel reached into her purse and pulled out her checkbook. She wrote out a cheque for the full amount and handed it to the doctor. "Please, take care of her. Don't let anything happen to her." Anabel said with a soft, sincere voice. "But please, don't tell them that I'm the one. I don't want them to know."
The doctor nodded, "I won't tell them. And we will start the medication immediately."