I Walked Away And He Lost His Mind (Zephyra) novel Chapter 41

Even over the phone, I could picture the fury in his eyes. I wiped away a tear, my voice hoarse.

“I’m sorry. You’re at the courthouse, aren’t you? Something’s come up, and I…”

Before I could finish, Steven let out a cold laugh, his voice like ice.

“What could have possibly come up? You were the one who demanded a divorce, and now you’re the one who doesn’t show. What the hell do you want, Zephyra?”

I opened my mouth, but in the end, I couldn’t bring myself to tell him about Uncle Julian. Steven never believed me; any explanation would just sound like another lie.

Besides, I had unofficially cut ties with my grandfather’s side of the family before marrying him. He had no idea Uncle Julian even existed.

My voice was raspy. “Let’s reschedule. I really can’t make it today. I’m sorry.”

He just scoffed and hung up. I had no idea if he had agreed or not.

I forced myself back to the ICU waiting area and sank numbly onto a chair. Rachel wasn't there. I was about to text her when a message popped up on my screen.

Rachel: “Zephyra, I’m getting some food. What do you want? I’ll bring it back for you.”

Me: “Don’t worry about me. Just get something for yourself.”

I turned off my phone and stared at the glowing red light above the operating room doors. The defenses I had built around my heart were crumbling, piece by piece. I was so drained I couldn’t even cry anymore.

“Are you Julian’s family?” A nurse waved a hand in front of my face, and I snapped back to reality, scrambling to my feet. “Yes, that’s me. How is he?”

The nurse looked at me with a calm, professional expression. “Julian’s condition is not optimistic. His health is deteriorating, and the situation is life-threatening. You’ll need to sign this critical condition notice and then arrange for payment as soon as possible. Please be assured, we will do everything we can to save him, no matter the outcome.”

Life-threatening?

My heart stopped for a second. I looked down at the form in my hand, my fingers trembling as I signed my name.

“Okay, I’ll go pay now. Please… please do everything you can to save him.”

The nurse added kindly, “The surgery will require at least one hundred thousand. The more, the better. Any excess will be refunded.”

“Dad,” I said quickly, “I need to borrow some money. It’s for an emergency. Thirty thousand is all I need.”

“Don’t have it. Bye.”

“Dad!” I stopped him before he could hang up. “The money is literally to save a life. I’m not asking you to give it to me; I’m begging you to lend it to me. I’ll pay you back.”

“Cut the crap. You’re married into the Lancaster family. If you need money, ask your husband. What do I owe you? Every time you call, it’s for money. You’re useless.”

With that, he hung up.

I listened to the dial tone, my heart sinking into a pit of despair.

He had refused so quickly, without even asking who the money was for. It made me wonder if he would be just as cold if it were my own life on the line.

I had expected it, but the despair that hit me was overwhelming. I took a shaky breath, my head bowed as I prepared to call Steven.

Suddenly, I felt a warmth settle on my shoulders. Someone had draped a coat over me. My vision was blurry with unshed tears, and I couldn't make out the person's face. But as the tears finally fell, my heart seized, and the world around me went silent. I froze, stunned.