On my thirtieth birthday, my mother-in-law raised a toast with the words: «To our silly girl from a poor family who lives off our money», and my husband started laughing loudly at that. Then my father stood up from the table and did something that made my mother-in-law freeze in place…

Dad’s life hung by a thread, and next to that, everything else seemed trivial and insignificant. Kyle approached me. «Paula, I’m so sorry,» he said, trying to hug me.

«I didn’t know your father had such serious heart problems.» I pulled away; at that moment, I couldn’t bear his touch. «You laughed,» I said quietly, «when your mother insulted me and my family, you laughed.

He looked embarrassed. I didn’t think you’d take it so seriously.» Mom was just joking.

«Joking?» I looked at him in disbelief. Calling me a silly girl from a poor family in front of all the guests – that’s a joke. «Paula, you’re exaggerating; Mom can be sharp sometimes, but she didn’t mean to offend you.»

I shook my head. «Don’t lie at least now, Kyle; your mother has hated me from the first day we met, and you know it.» He wanted to object, but at that moment Victor approached us.

«Paula,» he said, «I called my driver. He’ll take you to the hospital, and I’ve arranged with Professor Levine; he’ll oversee your father.» «Thank you, Victor, I was surprised by his concern, but I can take a taxi.»

Don’t argue, he was adamant. «My driver is waiting; Kyle, see your wife off.» Kyle nodded and took me by the arm; we walked silently to the exit.

At the doors, I saw Valerie; she stood hugging herself, with a lost expression on her face. «Paula,» she began as we passed, «I didn’t mean to. Not now,» I interrupted her; I need to go to Dad.

In my father-in-law’s car, I sat looking out the window, thinking about how quickly life can change. Just an hour ago, I was the celebrant at a lavish party, and now I was heading to the hospital, not knowing if my father would survive. Kyle sat next to me, saying nothing.

Perhaps he understood that any words now would be superfluous, or simply didn’t know what to say. At the hospital, Professor Levine met us, an elderly doctor with an attentive gaze and a gray beard. «Relatives of Nicholas?» he asked.

«Yes, I’m his daughter.» «Your father is in ICU; he had a massive heart attack; we’ve stabilized him for now, but the situation is serious. He’ll need surgery.» «Surgery?» I felt the ground slip away.

Yes, bypass. But first, we need to wait until he’s fully stabilized. Can I see him? Only through the glass; no visitors in ICU.

We walked down the corridor to the ICU. Through the glass window, I saw Dad lying on the bed, wired and tubed. Mom sat next to him, holding his hand. She looked ten years older.

«Mom,» I tapped on the glass. She looked up, saw me, and came out into the corridor. «How is he?» I asked, hugging her.

No change yet; she looked exhausted. Doctors say the next 24 hours are critical. We sat on a bench in the corridor.

Kyle awkwardly shifted nearby, clearly not knowing what to do. «Paula,» he said finally, «maybe I’ll go home? Need to explain to the guests, settle with the restaurant.» I nodded.

«Yes, go; I’ll stay here. Are you sure? I can stay with you.» «No need. Go.»

He leaned to kiss my cheek, but I turned away. After everything that happened, his touch only caused revulsion. Kyle left, and Mom and I stayed sitting in the hospital corridor, looking through the glass at Dad fighting for his life.

«What happened at the restaurant?» Mom asked after a long silence. I was sitting far away and didn’t hear what your mother-in-law said. I only saw Dad suddenly stand up and walk to her.

I told her about Valerie’s toast, about Kyle’s laughter, about how Dad dignifiedly responded to the insult. He always protected you, Mom said, smiling sadly, from childhood. Remember how in school they teased you about your glasses? He went to the principal and had such a talk that no one dared laugh at you anymore.

I remembered that story and many others. Dad was always my protector, my support, the person who believed in me unconditionally and loved without conditions. «He shouldn’t have gotten so worked up,» I whispered. «I should have put my mother-in-law in her place.

Don’t blame yourself; Mom took my hand. He did what he thought was right, defended his daughter’s honor. We sat in the hospital all night; nurses brought us tea; doctors periodically checked Dad’s condition and said no worsening, but no significant improvements either.

In the morning, Victor arrived alone, without Kyle and Valerie. He brought thermoses with hot coffee and fresh buns. «How’s Nicholas?» he asked, handing us the food.

«No change,» Mom replied. «Thank you for your concern, Victor.» He nodded and sat next to us.

I talked to Professor Levine. He thinks it’s better to do the surgery in New York, at the cardiology center. I can arrange transportation as soon as Nicholas is stable enough to move.

I looked at him in surprise. «Why are you doing this?» Victor was silent, staring into space. «You know, Paula,» he said finally, «your father acted like a real man yesterday, like a person with dignity.

I respect such people, regardless of their financial status.» I didn’t know what to say. This Victor was nothing like the cold, calculating businessman I’d known all these years.

And also, he added quieter, I’m ashamed of my wife and son’s behavior. What happened yesterday is unforgivable. He stood up, straightened his jacket.

I’ll arrange everything with Levine. Hold on; everything will be fine. When my father-in-law left, Mom looked at me in bewilderment.

Has he always been like this? No, I shook my head. Never.

In the afternoon, Dad’s condition improved a bit. Doctors said if the positive trend continues, in two days we can think about transporting him to New York. Kyle came in the second half of the day.

He looked tired and depressed. — How’s your father? — he asked, approaching us. — A bit better, — I replied. — Your father suggested moving him to New York for surgery? Kyle nodded.

— Yes, — he told me. — It’s a good idea. New York has the best cardiologists.

We were silent. A wall seemed to have grown between us, impossible to overcome. — Paula, — he said finally, — we need to talk.

— Not now, Kyle; I’m not up to it. — I understand. But I want you to know, I regret what happened yesterday.

And Mom does too. I looked at him with weary irony. Really? And that’s why neither you nor she came to the hospital yesterday, didn’t call to ask about Dad.

We didn’t want to interfere; thought you needed time with your parents. Don’t lie, Kyle; it was just awkward for you. After what your mother did, after you laughed with her; he lowered his head.

Yes, I’m ashamed, but I want to fix everything. Some things can’t be fixed; I turned to the window. Go home, Kyle; I’ll stay here.

You need to rest; you haven’t slept all night. I can’t leave Dad; then I’ll stay too. No need; Mom’s here, we’ll manage.

He wanted to argue but changed his mind. Okay, call if you need anything. When Kyle left, Mom put her hand on my shoulder; don’t be too hard on him, Paula; he’s trying to help.

Now he’s trying, I smiled bitterly; and where was he all these years when his mother humiliated me and my family? Mom sighed. People can change, daughter; sometimes it takes a strong push to see yourself from the outside. I didn’t reply; didn’t want to argue with Mom, especially now when all our thoughts were about Dad.

The next two days were spent in the hospital walls; Dad’s condition gradually improved, though he was still in ICU. Doctors said the dynamics were positive, but we needed to be ready for surgery. Victor came every day, brought food, talked to doctors.

Thanks to his connections, Dad got a private room in ICU, with the best nurses assigned. Kyle came too, but briefly; he seemed to sense his presence was unwanted and didn’t impose. Valerie didn’t show up at all, only sent a huge basket of fruits with a note, «Get well, Nicholas.»

On the third day, Professor Levine said Dad could be transported to New York. Condition stable, he said; of course there’s risk, but in New York they’ll provide more qualified help. Victor organized everything in the shortest time.

Medical flight, team of doctors, ambulance meeting in New York. «You’ll fly with your father,» he told me. «Your mom can join later when Nicholas is hospitalized.»

I was grateful to my father-in-law for this help, though I didn’t understand what deserved such attention from him. «Thank you,» I said. «I don’t know how we’ll repay you.» «No need for thanks,» he brushed it off; «just keep me updated on his condition.»

On the day of the flight, I packed a small bag with essentials. Mom was to stay home; she needed to handle some affairs before the trip to New York, and I flew with Dad and the medical team. Kyle came to take me to the airport.

We were silent the whole way. I looked out the window, thinking about the upcoming surgery, about how my life had changed in recent days. At the terminal entrance, Kyle suddenly took my hand.

«Paula,» he said seriously, «I want you to know, I’ll be waiting here as long as it takes.» I looked at him in surprise. «What do you mean? I know there’s a gulf between us now, and it’s my fault, but I want to fix it; give me a chance.»

I pulled my hand away. «This isn’t the time for this talk, Kyle; my father is on the brink of life and death. I understand; just know I’m here if needed.»

I nodded and went to the terminal without looking back. Now all my thoughts were only about Dad. The flight went without complications; the medical plane was equipped with everything necessary; doctors constantly monitored Dad’s condition; he was conscious but weak, hardly spoke.

In New York, an ambulance met us and took Dad straight to the cardiology center; there they immediately took him for examination, and I was asked to wait in a special room for relatives. An hour later, a doctor came out to me, a tall middle-aged man with tired but attentive eyes. «Relative of Nicholas?» he asked.

«Yes, his daughter. We did the initial exam; your father’s condition is stable, but he needs urgent surgery; he has three-vessel coronary artery disease; bypass is needed. When will the surgery be? Tomorrow morning; now he’s undergoing preoperative preparation.

Can I see him?» «Only for five minutes; he needs rest. I entered the intensive care unit; Dad lay on the bed surrounded by medical equipment; he looked so vulnerable, so fragile; I’d never seen him like this before. Dad, I took his hand; how do you feel?» He smiled weakly.

«Fine, daughter, don’t worry. Surgery tomorrow; everything will be okay; the doctors here are the best. I know; he squeezed my hand.

Paula, listen, if something happens, nothing will happen; I interrupted him; you’ll live long and happy. Paula, his voice was quiet but insistent. Listen to me; if something happens, I want you to know I’m proud of you; you’ve grown into a strong, smart woman, and I want you to be happy.

I felt tears welling up. Dad, don’t cry.» He smiled weakly.

«I just want you to think about your life, about whether you’re happy with Kyle, about what you really want.» I didn’t know what to answer. The recent events had overturned my perception of my own life, my marriage, the Harrington family.

«I’ll think, Dad, I promise.» «Good.» He closed his eyes.

«Now go rest; you need strength.» A nurse entered the room. «Visiting time is over,» she said.

«Your father needs rest before surgery.» I kissed Dad on the forehead and left the room. In the corridor, a hospital social worker was waiting for me.

«A room is booked for you at the hotel by the center,» she said. «It’s close, just five minutes walk; there you can rest.» I thanked her and went in the indicated direction.

The hotel was small but comfortable. The room had a bed, TV, small fridge stocked with water and juices. Only now did I feel how tired I was.

Three days without proper sleep, constant stress, worries; it all took its toll. I took a shower and literally collapsed onto the bed. I woke up to the phone ringing.

It was Mom; she had flown to New York and was already heading to the hospital. «How’s Dad?» she asked anxiously. «Stable.

Surgery scheduled for tomorrow. I’ll be there in half an hour.» I got up, quickly dressed, and hurried back to the center….