Chapter 2 In debts

BAILEY

Have you ever slept with a broken heart?

The pain is indescribable. But one word comes to mind—uncomfortable. Very.

It's like sleeping with a thorn stuck deep in the chambers of your heart. Your subconscious is constantly aware of the pain. Your whole body is.

That's the worst feeling ever.

I was hoping to wake up from my slumber and not feel anything, but that was far from what I got when Dad’s voice woke me up.

“Bailey.”

I inhale sharply, raising my head from Dad’s bedside where I had fallen asleep last night.

After I left the hotel, I came straight to the hospital because I didn’t want to return to my house—I wanted to avoid the loneliness and void, at least for one night.

I release a weary yawn, rubbing the dizziness from my eyes.

My brain is blank for only a second before a sharp pain shoots through my chest as memories from last night resurface.

My breakup message.

My last gift to Jace.

I was expecting my phone to be blown up with numerous missed calls and unanswered messages, but then I remembered I blocked him and turned off my phone.

I meant it when I said I didn’t want him to contact me again.

Sooner or later, I know I’ll have to face him because he knows where I live and where I work too. But I’m fervently hoping I’ll be able to avoid that confrontation.

“Hey, Dad.” I smile softly at my father as I reach for his hand. I grasp it warmly.

My gaze locks with his. Dad’s eyes look so tired, but kind, just like his personality.

Dad is a good man. He didn’t deserve this illness that befell him. The whole thing is eating him up, and it silently destroys me.

Watching your loved one get sicker and sicker is a different kind of pain to live with.

“Did you sleep well, dear?” Dad inquires.

Barely.

I don’t even know how I managed to fall asleep last night after bawling my eyes out. I cried so much until I ran out of tears. Literally.

My heart still aches, but I push past the feeling, answering my father's question, “Yeah. How are you feeling?”

“I’m okay. I’m sorry I woke you up.”

“It’s fine... I have to get to work anyway.”

Yawning, I glance at the wall clock. It’s almost time for my shift at the fast-food restaurant where I work downtown.

I look back at Dad, assuring him. “But first, I’ll speak with the doctor to get an update on your condition.” I stroke his hand gently, a knot twisting in my chest as I watch him grimace subtly.

I can tell he’s in serious pain, but he doesn’t want me to know, so he always wears a tough exterior.

Dad has always been my pillar of strength since Mom passed. I guess even now, on his sickbed, he still wants to show me that he’s the strong man he once was.

But we both know he’s not.

His condition is deteriorating. He’s only getting worse by the day.

I want to help, but I don’t know how.

The doctor told me Dad needs an urgent kidney transplant.

I’m still trying to gather the funds for the surgery. I have some savings in the bank, but it’s nowhere near enough. The procedure costs a fortune, and sadly, I don’t have that kind of money. At least not yet.

Jace would have offered to help me, but I didn’t ask him because the last thing I want is to treat my father like a charity case. Especially after what Alice did yesterday.

“Are you okay, Bailey?” Dad asks as I prepare to leave, causing me to halt in my tracks. “You don’t look so good, dear. You’ve been crying, haven’t you? What happened?”

I swallow twice, but that lump still doesn’t go away.

I look back at Dad and force a smile. There is no need to lie, “Jace and I broke up.” My voice cracks. “But I’ll be fine.”

Dad's expression carries astonishment and pity. “Why? Do you want to talk about it?”

I shake my head. “No, Dad, I don’t.” I sigh heavily. “It’s for the best.”

“You loved him, though. So much. And he made you very happy. You were the happiest when you were with him. I can’t understand the reason you two suddenly broke up, but if you ever want to talk about it, I’m here. And Bailey, I’m sorry this happened. I love you.”

I draw in a deep breath. “I love you too, Dad. Thanks.” I wipe the corners of my eyes, exhaling heavily. “I’ll be fine. Don't worry about me.”

I go over to give him a hug before letting him know I’ll stop by again later.

After that, I exit the ward and head to the doctor’s office.

Doctor Morgan has just finished with a patient when I walk into his office.

“Miss Bailey...”

“Hello, Doctor Morgan.”

He gestures toward the chair politely. “Please, have a seat. I’ve been meaning to talk to you.”

I take a seat in the vacant chair in front of his desk, my chest tightening with nerves.

“Is anything the matter?” I ask nervously.

Doctor Morgan looks sympathetic. “It’s about your father. His condition is getting worse, and he still needs that kidney transplant. Urgently. I’m afraid his current dialysis treatments are no longer keeping his condition stable.”

Despair tugs at my heartstrings, my insides churning with dread.

I’m mute for a beat as I process the revelation before responding.

“I’ll get the money.” I say it because I know my finances are what’s holding them back from moving forward with the surgery. “Before the end of the week, I promise. Please, just try anything to keep him stable before then.”

He hesitates, but eventually relents with a nod. “Will do, Miss Bailey. But try to keep to that promise—”

“I will. Thank you so much.”

He nods again, informing me, “That’s all for now. I’ll let you know if any urgent matter arises.”

“I’m hoping none does, but sure. Thanks again.” I force a smile.

He returns it. “No problem.”

Exhaling sharply, I stand up and take my leave.

My head spins with turbulent thoughts regarding where I’m supposed to get the kind of money needed for the surgery.

I don't see how, and that scares me so much, but I know I’ll find a way eventually. Or at least I hope so.

I just can’t lose my father.

I'll do anything humanly possible to save him. That's a promise.

“Hey, Bails... You’re late.” Hallie, my friend and coworker, points out as I approach the counter. “And you don’t look so well. What the hell happened to you?” she asks with concern, looking me up and down as I halt behind the counter.

I sigh, throwing on my apron and resuming my shift. “I’m fine, Hallie. It’s nothing,” I say wearily, avoiding her gaze.

My head hurts badly, and my mouth strangely tastes bitter.

There’s this wave of nausea that keeps hitting me since I left the hospital.

It’s almost as if I have a fever. But I doubt that.

I think it’s just the side effects of the abrupt breakup.

“Nothing? You look depressed and drained. And your eyes look like they’ve been producing a great deal of tears... Don’t tell me this is nothing,” Hallie protests against my lie.

She’s always been good at noticing every slight change in my demeanor. She has been my friend for just six months, and she can already read me like a book.

Regardless, I sigh, reluctant to open up. “It’s nothing, Hallie. Don’t worry about it.”

“Hmmm...” she supplies suspiciously. Then informs me after a brief silence, “Well, Jace came by looking for you.”

My heart skips a beat at the mention of that name. But I don’t spare Hallie a glance. I don’t want her to connect the dots.

When I remain silent, she adds, “Something is definitely wrong, judging by how worried he was when he told me he couldn’t get a hold of you. Something must have happened between you two, and I respect your choice not to talk to me about it. But honestly, Bails, I think you should call him. Just like you, that man didn’t look any better when he walked in earlier either.”

I gulp, trying to form a response. But I’m short of words.

My heart breaks all over again, but I refrain from shedding any more tears.

I just force a placating smile at Hallie to get her off my back. “Sure.” That’s all I say before inquiring if our boss is in her office.

I head toward Erin’s office an hour after my first shift with the intention of asking her for a loan.

I already know deep down this is a dead end because Erin couldn’t possibly lend me the amount of money I need for my dad’s surgery, but I’ve run out of options.

“I’m sorry, Bailey. But I’m not financially stable enough at the moment to give you that kind of money. You still haven’t cleared your prior debts. How exactly do you intend to even pay me back?” Erin says to me after I state my predicament.

The weight of her response settles heavily in my chest, and my eyes glisten with tears. But I pull myself together.

“I understand, ma’am. I apologize for the inconvenience. I’ll work toward paying back my previous loan.”

“Well, you should do that. Please, leave my office. I have a guest coming in.”

I nod with a small smile before rising to my feet. Tears fall from my eyes as I walk out of the office, but I wipe them away.

Now isn’t the time to cry. Crying won’t solve anything.

I just need to find another solution. Before the end of the week.

My second shift eventually comes to an end a few minutes after 8 p.m.

I text my best friend, Lucas, to come pick me up at the restaurant. I’m not sure I want to spend the night at my place, so I’ll be crashing at his.

So far, I’m grateful Jace hasn’t reached out again, even though it kinda hurts me a bit that he isn’t fighting for our relationship like a part of me wants him to.

But I guess maybe he’s accepted that he’s better off without me. Maybe he didn’t put up a fight because, like his mother said, I’m not worth the trouble.

It hurts, but I have to move on.

The dark sky shifts with the promise of heavy rainfall as a strong wind blows in my face. Despite the cardigan I'm clad in, I’m burning up, and this weather isn’t making things any easier for me.

Not long after, it starts drizzling.

The sixth time I glance down at my phone to check the time, Lucas’s car swiftly pulls up outside the restaurant.

Lowering my phone, I release a sigh of relief and annoyance as he hops out of the vehicle, an apology falling from his mouth.

“Sorry I’m late. Had to take care of something...” He says, holding a hand over his head like that would shield him from the rainfall.

“It’s fine...”

Halting beside me, he frowns at my countenance. “God, you look like hell. Did something happen to you?”

“No?”

“Is that a retort or an answer?”

“I’m tired, Lucas. Can you please not add to my stress?” I sigh, tugging on my cardigan hood to protect my head as I prepare to scurry to his car.

However, I freeze in my tracks when the tires of an Aston Martin abruptly screech to a stop just in front of Lucas’s car.

My heart plummets to my stomach as the driver steps out into the pouring rain, which wastes no time drenching him from head to toe.

But Jace doesn’t seem to care about any of that.

He steps toward me instead, his eyes filled with pain and hurt.

“What the hell, baby?” he breathes heavily. “I’ve been trying to reach you all day. Are you okay?” he asks, worry and panic laden in his voice.