I was diagnosed with cancer.It’s curable,but my husband wants me to give up.
My parents came to see me,and I pinned my last vestiges of hope on them.
But they were only here to ask for money—for my brother’s wedding.

Finally,I turned to my only son.
His eyes blazed with a cold, seething hatred,blaming me for breaking him up with his girlfriend.
Lying in bed,I cried silently.As death loomed,a voice suddenly echoed in my mind:“Program error!Counterattack System activated!”
…
At work,I fainted at my desk for no reason.
Rushed to the hospital,I was told I had cancer.

The doctor’s words came as a bolt from the blue.
But then he added,“Your cancer is unique and treatable,but it’ll cost a lot.Please pay soon so we can schedule surgery.”
Relief washed over me, as if I had been granted a second chance.
I called my husband to grab the money and come to the hospital.

An hour later,James arrived.
He sat beside me,motionless.
Panicked,I urged,“James!What are you doing?Go pay the bill!”
James looked up,tears in his eyes.“Honey,I asked.Treatment costs a fortune.Maybe…we shouldn’t treat it.”
I stared,shocked.He wasn’t joking.
He was serious.But why?
Because it’s expensive?The money in that account is mine!
I glared at him.“Are you serious?”
James sobbed,covering his face.“If we treat you,we’ll be broke.What about our son’s future wedding?”
In that moment, it dawned on me that adversity reveals one's true character.
Desperate,I tried to get up,but my lower body was nearly paralyzed.I was utterly immpbilized.
I shouted,“Give me the card!I’ll pay!It’s my money.Who are you to stop me?”
Two years ago,James had a rare illness.
Treatment was costly.
Without a moment’s hesitation, I clasped his hand tightly, my voice steady but my heart pounding. “Don’t you worry about a thing,” I said. “I’ll manage the money. Just focus on getting better, alright?”
James dissolved into a flood of tears in my embrace.“Honey,I’m scared.Will you abandon me?I’m a burden now.Don’t leave me.”
I stroked his head.“What nonsense!I’ll make sure you’re treated.”
Having no savings to draw upon, the prospect of hiring a nurse was nothing more than a distant dream.
I juggled work and the hospital daily.
One day,dazed,I nearly got hit by a car.
But seeing James recover made it all worthwhile.
Although he eventually recovered, our savings had been completely depleted, leaving us in a precarious financial situation.
Back home,James was still pale,coughing constantly.
Returning to work kept getting delayed.
One day,he said,“Ellen,I’m still not well.I can’t work.It’s on you.”
A look of guilt flickered across his face.,and seeing his condition,I let him stay home to recover.
To this day,James hasn’t worked.
I’ve covered all our expenses.Now I’m sick and want to use my own money.
James refuses.On what grounds?
Unable to move,I had to beg him to pay.
I softened.“Please,pay the bill.I’m begging you.”