Ivell's heart sank as she walked into her house, exhaustion etched on her face. But before she could even set down her bag, her phone rang, shrill in the silence. She hesitated, wondering who could be calling at this hour. Then she saw her junior sister's name flashing on the screen.
"Irene? What's up?" Ivell asked, trying to hide the weariness in her voice.
"Ivell, it's Dad...he's been in an accident!" Irene's voice trembled on the other end of the line, sending a shiver down Ivell's spine.
"No, no, no...!" Ivell's mind raced as she rushed out of her house, her heart pounding in her chest. She couldn't lose her dad, not now, not ever.
At the hospital, Ivell's mom, Sarah, was pacing anxiously in the waiting room, her eyes red-rimmed from crying. "The doctors say he needs immediate surgery, but...they need fifty thousand dollars before they can operate," Sarah said, her voice cracking.
Ivell felt like she'd been punched in the gut. She knew her family didn't have that kind of money. But she refused to give up. She handed Irene some money. "Take care of yourself and Mom. I'll go find the rest of the money."
With determination burning in her eyes, Ivell rushed out of the hospital, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. She would move mountains to save her father's life.