Margaret's mind went blank.
"How could this be? Grandpa was fine when I left..." she whispered.
"Who knows? I was passing your family's place this afternoon and saw your grandfather collapsed in the yard. Aren't you in Barion City now? The hospitals there are good—find a way to bring him over!"
The words hit her like a physical blow.
Her thoughts spun, finally landing on the only person who might help—Elliot.
Five years ago, he had vowed, "Your grandfather is my grandfather. Once I'm back, I'll bring both of you to Barion City. I promise I'll get him the best care money can buy."
That promise had been a lifeline she'd clung to all this time.
Hands trembling, Margaret wiped her tears and dialed Elliot's number.
It rang, again and again, with no answer.
She couldn't give up. Ignoring the soreness in her body, she hurried back to Duskmoon Villa.
'Maybe Elliot would return. He has said he'd come for me tonight.'
But hours passed, and there was still no sign of him.
In desperation, she called his assistant, pleading for Elliot's whereabouts.
The assistant refused coldly at first, but as Margaret broke down sobbing, he sighed, saying, "Mr. Novak is at Barion City Central Hospital with Ms. Bloom. She needs rest. Even if you go, it won't change anything."
A cold wave of despair washed over Margaret.
She knew about that hospital—a top-tier institution in Barion City, where getting a specialist appointment was next to impossible.
If Elliot could admit Victoria there so easily, he certainly had the means to save her grandfather.
Gritting her teeth, she hailed a cab and raced towards the medical center, a silent plea echoing with every heartbeat.
'Hold on, Grandpa. Please, let him remember his promise.'
Inside the hospital's bright, sprawling corridors, she wandered lost until security stopped her.
"Elliot!" she shouted, his name bursting out in panic, drawing glances from strangers nearby.
Then, through an open doorway, she spotted him.
"Elliot!" Shaking off the guard, she rushed into the room.
Victoria lay in the hospital bed, Elliot standing close beside her.
Tears welled in Margaret's eyes as she grasped his pant leg.
"Elliot, please. Save my grandfather. He's dying and needs to be here. You promised me years ago. You said you'd make sure he was treated," she begged, her voice cracking.
She swallowed a sob. "I'll repay every dollar—I'll sell everything I have. Just help him, please..."
The room went still.
Elliot's face hardened, his eyes cold with contempt. "Margaret, do you think I'm an i***t? Five years with no emergency, and suddenly he's critical just as you come? How low will you go? Should I marry you at his bedside, too?"
From the bed, Victoria gave a light laugh. "Elliot, is Ms. Hart putting on a pathetic act now? Using her grandfather's health to manipulate you?"
"That's not true! He really is dying! You gave me your word five years ago. This is the only time I'll ask. There's no time to waste—you can check if you don't believe me—" Margaret cried, still clinging to his arm.
Elliot looked down at her, his expression one of bitter disappointment.
"I thought you were different from those gold diggers. Clearly, I was wrong," he said coldly.
He signaled to security.
"Take Ms. Hart back to Duskmoon Villa. Lock her in. Do not let her out," he commanded.
They dragged her away, her pleas echoing behind her.
One full day passed with no sign of Elliot.
Next, he was photographed kissing Victoria on a yacht, surrounded by cheers.
The day after that, he proposed to her publicly, sliding a diamond ring onto her finger.
And Margaret stayed curled in her room, sleep evading her, phone clutched tightly as she waited for any hint of his compassion.
When her phone finally rang, hope surged.
'Maybe it's him.'
But it was the same villager, his voice now empty with sorrow. "Margaret... I'm so sorry. The doctor did all he could. Your grandfather... he's gone."
Aksara