Chapter 63 — Numb

Emily's POV

"Miss Emily Woods?" a deep masculine voice said my name from the other side and in a split second, I knew something was wrong.

"Y-yes?" I was getting more and more anxious each passing second. My palms were growing clammy and my hands were starting to shake, and the worst thing was that I didn't even know why.

"I'm afraid you have to come to the General Hospital as soon as possible," the man said in a soft tone and goosebumps rose all over my body.

"S-sorry?" I managed to choke out and pulled the pillow further into my chest to seek some comfort.

"Your mother, Rebecca Woods, was brought to the hospital fifteen minutes ago and we need you to come here for further details," he said. There was an edge to his voice that made my anxiety level rise to the sky.

"I'll be there in ten," I barely whispered, but I knew he had heard me because he muttered a thank you and cut the line.

Mom was in the hospital. I didn't know what had happened to her. How had she gotten there? Who did that to her? Heck, I didn't even know if she was alive or not.

Sure mom and I weren't on good terms but that never stopped me from caring about her. She was my only family left and now if I'd lose another soul I didn't know if I'd be able to survive after that.

I stood up from the bed with shaky legs, praying in my heart for it to be another one of my nightmares.

I changed and left my room with my body trembling terribly and my vision blurring out. I was shaking with fear.

Fear of what might be waiting for me there. Fear that I'd have to go through all of that again. Fear of being left all alone in the ruthless world once more.

I didn't know when did I come out of my house but now I was locking the door with trembling fingers and uneven breathing.

Breathe Emily, breathe I reminded myself over and over again. I could not afford to hyperventilate at such time. I needed to go to the hospital and do what needed to be done.

I needed to face what was waiting for me.

*********

I jumped out of the bus and made my way to the entrance of the hospital. I had always despised coming to hospitals.

I was trying my best to stay strong and hope for the best but my mind was thinking of the worst possibilities that had me on edge.

I didn't want to face it.

With small steps, I stopped at the reception counter and the man who looked in his early twenties averted his gaze up to me.

"How may I help you?" he asked and I recognized his voice as the one who had called me earlier.

"I-I'm Emily Woods," I stuttered and his expressions suddenly changed and he gave me a sympathetic look and nodded his head.

"Emily I'm sorry for telling you this. Your mother was brought to the hospital earlier today by a man who claimed to find her laying lifelessly on the road. She had major injuries and bruises. I'm not sure I can tell you the entire scenario. For that, you have to meet Dr. Harrison. You'll find his cabin at the end of the corridor," he pointed in the direction of it and I nodded my head before mumbling a thank you and walking towards it.

At least she was alive.

It was all I could think about at the moment. I couldn't lose the only family I had left. I just hoped for her to get better soon.

I reached Mr. Harrison's cabin and knocked at the door, taking deep breaths to even my breathing.

"Come in," I heard a voice say and gently turned the knob and peeked inside.

Dr. Harrison was sitting on his chair and was writing down something on his notepad when he looked up to me and smiled warmly.

"Yes?" he asked when I didn't say anything.

"I'm Emily Woods, daughter of Rebecca Woods," I stated and realized how strained and restless I sounded.

"Oh, Emily, please take a seat," he motioned towards the chair opposite to him and I took small steps towards it before sitting down.

"What happened to her?" I asked as soon as I sat down and the doctor gave me a sad smile, which was indicating that he certainly was going to throw a bomb at me.

I wasn't ready for it.

"Your mother was high on alcohol. She was walking on the street all alone when she had an accident. Apparently, a car rammed into her and I'm afraid it may have caused major brain injuries which would require surgery as soon as possible," he explained and my heart picked its pace once again.

Surgery? How was I going to pay for that?

"How much would it cost?" my voice came out as a shrill and the doctor threw me a sympathetic look yet again.

"Your mother is in the ICU right now. If you ask me about all the expenses that would come along with the surgery, it would be round about twenty thousand dollars. And we need to take an action as soon as possible because we may have a chance that she would slip into a severe case of coma or worse we might even lose her if we won't start the surgery till morning," he stated and sweat rolled down my forehead listening to all the things he just had said.

Twenty thousand dollars? I could not afford that even by selling all I owned.

"Okay," I whispered and stood up from my seat with eyes wide open and wild heartbeat.

"Please let me know when you want us to operate," he said and I nodded, not being able to muster up words.

I exited his cabin and walked over to the waiting area. I plopped down on one of the seats, in the farthest corner of the room beside the window and hugged my knees to my chest.

I felt tears forming in my eyes and I closed my eyes shut and rested my head on my knees.

A life was in my hands now. I had to do something. She was still my mother after everything. No matter how much I denied it, a part of me still loved her. Still cherished all those years we happily spent together.

I could not just let her die. I knew somewhere deep down, the woman I knew was still there in her. Just buried somewhere deep under the cruelty of this world.

I thought about everything, any way from which I could get money.

I was willing to do anything. Anything just to save her. I couldn't let her die like this.

I needed to save her.

I rocked back and forth on my chair, thinking about something that would work. I didn't even have a way to contact my father. I knew he was a heartless person, but maybe, just maybe he would've helped us in this stage.

I didn't even realize I was shaking terribly and my silent cries were turning into sobs.

Only one thought repeating over and over again in my mind.

I had to do something.

**********

All night I sat there with head buried in my hands. My tears had stopped and I felt numb. Absolutely numb. With no emotion in me, whatsoever.

I knew I just needed to do something that would let her live.

My breathing was even and my heart was beating at its normal pace. My body felt cold and so did my soul.

I couldn't come up with anything to save her.

I was going to lose the only family I had left. The blood of my mom would be on me. It was in my hands to do something to bring her back to life, yet here I was, sitting on a chair doing absolutely nothing to save her.

I had no choice but to see her die in front of my eyes. I couldn't do anything.

Another soul would leave this world just because of me.

Yet again I wouldn't be able to save the life of someone I loved.

It was like I was brought back to the day when Christian left us. It was as if I had a chance to stop him from turning to that street but I wasn't doing anything.

I was just sitting on the passenger's seat with numb emotions. I was letting him give in to death himself.

I stood up and walked over to the open window and stared outside. It was dawn and the sun was rising.

Another reminder to me that I didn't have much time.

I sighed and breathed in the fresh air, trying to feel something but it was like my heart had refused to accept any more emotions.

I closed my eyes and stayed like that for a moment when a thought crossed my mind and my eyes fluttered open on their own.

If I really wanted to save her then I'd have to do it.

I surely would be disgusted by myself for the rest of my life for this but at least I would save someone from dying.

At least I won't fail in saving another person I loved.

Without pondering over the only option that had left for me anymore, I made my decision.

I would do it.

I would go and sell my being for saving the life of someone.

I would go and sell my virginity to my former boss for the sake of some dollars.