Desperate for help, I rushed over and said, "Please, you have to help my mom. Her wound is infected and she's having trouble breathing!"
To my shock, James looked at me coldly, clearly annoyed.
"You need to follow hospital procedures. What does telling me do?"
His indifference was like a punch to the gut. But this was my mother. Even she weakly called out from behind,
"Let's not bother your brother; he has his job requirements."
With no other choice, I turned away and took my mother to register. I overheard James telling Sophia softly, "If you ever feel unwell again, just come to me directly. I've reserved a private room for you!"
I was stunned-- this plump woman was the "Second Mom" James had mentioned!
I wanted to confront him, but my mother's painful gasps drove me to find a doctor. The doctor said we needed a ventilator for her.
The cost was high, but I gritted my teeth and paid for it, then went out to grab some food.
As I rushed out, I saw James deep in thought. I grabbed him and said,
"James, Mom is really sick and needs a ventilator. Please check on her if you have time."
He looked surprised, "Mom is using a ventilator?"