Chapter 4
Leo's phone buzzed on the table, pulling him away from his laptop setup. He glanced at the unknown number, debating whether to answer.
"Hello?"
"Is this Mr.Leo?" a tired voice asked.
"Yes, speaking."
"This is Mercy General Hospital. Your contact information was provided by an Emma Collins. She's stable now but we requested someone to come."
Leo's heart sank. "Hospital? What happened?"
"I suggest you come here to discuss further."
Leo arrived at the hospital in record time, practically sprinting to the reception desk. The sterile smell and white walls only amplified his growing anxiety.
"Emma Collins," he said, breathless.
The nurse directed him to a small room where Emma sat on the bed, her head bowed. Her long brown hair, usually tied back neatly, was disheveled. She flinched as he entered, and for the first time, Leo noticed the faint bruises on her face, poorly concealed by makeup.
"Emma," he whispered, stepping closer.
She looked up, her red, puffy eyes meeting his for a moment before darting away. "You didn't have to come."
"Of course I did. What happened?"
Emma bit her lip, her hands trembling as she clutched the hospital blanket. "I... I had a panic attack," she began, her voice barely audible. "I couldn't breathe, and my chest hurt. My dad... he didn't care. He just yelled at me to stop making a scene."
Leo's jaw tightened, but he stayed silent, letting her continue.
"When I collapsed, he panicked and dragged me here, but he didn't stay. The doctors said I was severely dehydrated and under stress. And—" she hesitated, her voice breaking, "he hit me. I tried to hide it. I always try, but... I can't anymore."
As Leo sat down in the chair beside her, Emma began to unload the weight she'd been carrying.
"I found out before the exams," she said, her voice shaking. "All the money I saved for college—gone. My dad spent it on booze and gambling."
She choked back a sob.
"I thought, fine, I'll borrow some. I hid what little I could scrape together for groceries, but he found that too. He he must spent it all again by now. I... I can't even buy food."
Leo clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white. "Emma..."
She shook her head violently, cutting him off. " I already owe you so much! Every time I promise to pay you back, I just end up asking for more. And now, with no savings, I'll have to take loans just to go to the cheapest college I can find. I have good grades, Leo, but it doesn't matter. Nothing does."
Her tears flowed freely now, her voice rising with frustration. "I'm trapped in this stupid cycle, and I hate it. I hate that I keep coming to you, taking from you, and never giving back."
Emma's mind spiraled back to the fight with her father the previous day.
"Where's the money, Emma?" he demanded, his breath reeking of alcohol.
"It's for groceries," she replied, clutching the envelope tightly.
"Groceries?" He laughed bitterly, snatching it from her hands. "You're just like your mother. This is my house, my money."
"That's my money!" she screamed, her voice cracking. "For once in your life, can't you leave me with something?"
His hand lashed out before she could react, sending her stumbling backward. The pain was sharp but familiar.
"You don't talk to me like that," he growled before leaving the room, envelope in hand.
Emma slumped against the wall, tears streaming down her face as her chest tightened. The panic attack hit her like a freight train.
Leo paid for her medical fees without hesitation, brushing off the receptionist's when he handed over the card. He returned to Emma's room, holding a bag with her belongings and... a laptop box.
"Here," he said, placing it on the table beside her.
Emma blinked, confused. "What's that?"
"A laptop. For college."
Her face crumpled, fresh tears spilling over. "Why do you keep doing this? I don't deserve this. I've taken so much from you already. I can't...."
Leo scratched the back of his neck, feeling awkward. "Look, Emma, I'm not doing this because I expect anything in return. You're my friend. And, uh... I'm kind of rich now."
She sniffled, staring at him. "What?"
"Bitcoin," he said casually, sitting down. "Remember that one I bought ages ago? Turns out I had, like, a thousand of them in an old wallet I forgot about. Checked it recently, and, uh... I'm set for life."
Emma gawked at him, her tears momentarily forgotten. "You're joking."
"Nope."
She stared at the laptop, her emotions a jumbled mess. Gratitude, shame, and despair swirled together. "I can't take this. I can't keep taking from you."
Leo leaned forward, his tone soft but firm. "You can, and you will. I'm paying for your college, Emma. Not the cheap one you were looking at. A good one. And your living expenses too. No more loans, no more stress. I am sponsoring you, pay me back once you have everything settled"
Her lips trembled. "Why? Why would you do that for me?"
"Because you're my friend," he said simply. "And you deserve a chance to get out of this hellhole and live your life."
Emma broke down, sobbing into her hands. Leo sat quietly, letting her cry.