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ents' house. "Mom, Dad, John! I'm home!" I visited frequently because of Mom's health. She had been diagnosed with kidney problems two years ago and needed a transplant costing an estimated $2 million. I didn't even have $100,000 saved up. The medication she needed cost $5,000 a month, providing only slight relief from her pain while we scrambled for the money for the operation. It felt like the money I was trying to save for her transplant kept dwindling because I couldn't skip a month of buying her medicine. Mom couldn't even shout at us anymore or scold me, Dad, or John like she used to. Time seemed to take everything away. "Oh, my gracious daughter, how have you been?" she asked, welcoming me at the entrance. "Mom, I'm the one who should be asking how your health is. I've been too busy at work, which is why I haven't visited." "All has been good, thanks to the medications you're providing," she replied but then started coughing. "Mom, what's wrong? Do you need water?" I asked anxiously as she shook her head, lowering her hand from her mouth. Blood... Mom, you're coughing up blood? Does this happen often? When did you start noticing this? Have you been taking your medicine, or has it run out? We need to see the doctor! "No, don't worry. I've been coughing up blood frequently lately. The medicine isn't managing the pain anymore. I don't want to stress you out; you're already doing so much. You've spent most of your salary on my medication." "Where are Dad and John? Do they both know about this?" I pressed. "Yes, they both know. I told them not to disturb you. John hasn't come back from school yet, and your father has gone out to work in the garden." "I will make sure to gather
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ness trip to China tomorrow. I need to finalize a deal with Mr. Kong, a Chinese supplier of raw materials for our technology project development." "Oh, that reminds me, I haven't had my check-up in quite a while," I said. "I thought you were a real man now! You don't need to worry about anything," James teased. Simon, my trusted personal assistant, pressed the button for the floor where the medical laboratory is located. Suddenly, my phone rang. It was my mother. I picked up, "Hello, Mom..." "Lucas, why are you doing this to me? You know I always respect your decisions; any girl you choose is fine with me. I even suggested some ladies whom I thought might meet your standards, but you ended up rejecting them. Do you want me to grow old without seeing my grandchildren, or do you want me to die young? I want to see my grandchildren! Your father is worried about you. Please, don't do this to us." "Calm down, Mother..." "Don't tell me to calm down! I'm starting to-" Beeep. "Why did you hang up? She was saying something reasonable," James asked. "Well, it seems I had to because she doesn't give me a chance to speak. Whenever we're on the phone, her voice always drowns mine out. She barely hears what I'm saying. I've been told not to come home without a girlfriend or