Meanwhile, Angela, her father, and younger brother were anxiously waiting for the test results after their mother was admitted to the hospital. The hospital hallway was silent, but it felt like her heart was pounding loudly. Every second seemed to stretch as they sat on the cold bench, quietly enduring the anxiety.
To ease the tension, Angela decided to call the man she never thought would become a big help to their family—Clark.
In the past, she had avoided him because she felt awkward. He had a strange way of staring at her—it was as if she would melt under his gaze. And when she once broke a microscope slide in their lab class, Clark volunteered to take her to the infirmary, but she chose to reject him because she didn't want the news to reach her boyfriend and cause misunderstanding. Since then, she kept her distance after hearing that he liked her. She wasn't comfortable, and with everything else on her mind, she didn't want to add to the confusion.
But in the moments when she didn't know where else to turn, Clark appeared. He spoke to his uncle, who worked at the consulate, and helped them quickly process the documents needed for her mother's emergency airlift from the Philippines to the US. She could hardly believe it. As she glanced at her father, who had been busy talking on the phone, the question resurfaced: "Why is Clark in the Philippines if both his parents are doctors in America?"
Along with that question came the answer. In their recent meeting, she met his parents—part of the team of specialists currently overseeing her mother's care. She was even more surprised to see how personally Clark's parents and doctors spoke to her, referring to her as a "family friend" and promising to help as much as they could.
Eager to personally thank him, Angela asked her father for Clark's contact number. She knew he was the only one who knew the whole situation, including the issues with Darius and Jenna—before she even got the call about her mother's condition.
During their conversation, Angela didn't realize they had been talking for nearly an hour. A part of her still felt hesitant, but gratitude prevailed. He was courteous, calm, and didn't hesitate to help, even though they weren't as close as before. For the first time, she felt that she shouldn't have been afraid. "Maybe, sometimes, there are people who truly understand you in times of need."
After the call, she returned the phone to her aunt. She hadn't yet remembered to arrange a number for use in the US; they were more focused on her mother's condition. She had no idea where her own phone was—her thoughts were entirely on her mother's quick recovery.
However, after twenty-four hours in the ICU, as they awaited the test results, something terrifying happened.
While Angela and her father sat side by side, they noticed doctors suddenly rushing toward the ICU. They became more anxious. Her younger brother was fast asleep on the side from exhaustion, and Angela and her father embraced, praying together. It felt like they were holding onto each other to avoid collapsing from the fear that was enveloping the entire hospital.
They didn't expect the news that followed.
Along with the test results, her mother's body began to tremble. Through the glass door of the ICU, they could see the alarm sounding from the monitor, nurses and doctors rushing around, and her mother's face turning pale. A doctor came out and shouted "code blue."
It felt like time stopped.
Angela felt her knees shake as she held her father's hand. She closed her eyes and whispered, "Please... not now, Mama..."
But just a few minutes later, the alarm stopped. It was quiet. Only then did she notice—the red light above the door did not light up again.
Angela and her family's world collapsed. They weren't prepared for this kind of loss. They would never be prepared.
The diagnosis revealed that her mother had contracted a rare brain virus infection. The doctors said it was fortunate that she lasted more than twenty-four hours after the attack. Most earlier cases had collapsed within a few hours. Even more terrifying, there was no cure for it yet. There was also no clear information on how it was contracted; all they knew was that it might be inhaled through the air. Once infected, people would experience severe headaches, high fever, and rapid loss of consciousness. It came without warning—and no time to prepare.
Meanwhile, despite their profound grief, their father quietly sacrificed everything they owned to cover the medical expenses for his wife. He sold their business, house, land, cars, and even Angela's condo and car. He didn't show any regret—all that mattered was his wife's safety.
However, despite all their efforts, the dreaded moment still came. In an instant, the light in their home went out.
As she held her father, Angela felt the weight of the reality. The pain was indescribable. She felt like she had lost her breath, as if she didn't know how to get up again. But amidst their mourning, there was nothing they could do but draw strength from each other. Quietly, gently, but with determination, they tried to rise from the tragedy that would change their lives forever.