Chapter 1 CH. 1

"I'll be fine, John," Mama Pat's voice broke through the serene hospital ward, now filled with the sterile scent of antiseptics.

John sat by her side, not even knowing what to say or how to react. The mere thought of Mama Pat not feeling well was already weighing him down.

He didn't know what he'd do if something bad should happen to Mama Pat, the woman who had helped shapen his life and had made him the man he was at that moment.

John Moxley was a 29 years old young man who was exiled from his family due to his reckless and prodigal lifestyle.

As a privileged young man who was born into the most powerful family in the world, John felt there was no need to work hard, instead he lived a life of extravagance, spending money like he had a garden where money grew on trees.

When John's grandfather saw the way John was living his life, he feared what might become of the Moxley's legacy if eventually he dies, considering now that John's parents whom he believed would take over after his death, were already dead, leaving him to face the harsh reality that the one who would take over after his death, was none other than John himself.

In a bid to instill into him a sense of responsibility, grandfather Moxley had to banish him from the family for five years. He wanted John to learn that certain privileges were meant to be cherished not abused and being born into Moxley's family was one of such privileges.

It was during the time when he was exiled, that Mama Pat took him in. Mama Pat was a woman with a large heart who looked after abandoned children and those who had no parents.

She became more like a godmother to him and John had grown to love her so much that he couldn't bare the sight of seeing her suffer from the disease which now held her down.

John took her hand, feeling her fragile form, "Godmother, I may have to beg my grandfather to revoke my exile," he said, his gaze fixed on her tired eyes. "I need money to take care of you."

Mama Pat managed to muster a weak smile, "No, you mustn't," she insisted. "You're not at fault here. Your grandfather must come to his senses on his own. I won't have you begging for my sake."

As they were still talking, a group of young orphans, children whom Mama Pat had just newly begun to take care of before she fell sick, timidly entered the room.

The youngest of them clutched at John's sleeve, "John, please do something," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Just then, the doctor walked in, his expression grave. He had been waiting for the right moment to let John know of the severity of the situation. "We need two million dollars to save her life," he said, his tone firm as he approached them. "And we need it as soon as possible." He added.

John immediately felt a wave of helplessness wash over him. There was no way on earth he could possibly raise two million dollars all by himself.

He noticed the children's desperate faces turned to him, suggestive of the fact that their hopes were hinged on his next move.

He wished he still had access to the Moxley's wealth, then two million dollars wouldn't have been a problem. He felt really helpless that he wished he had not abused the privilege he once had.

Just then, his phone rang, cutting through the tense silence. He glanced at the screen and saw his wife's name. Hesitating for a moment, he answered the call.

"Where are you?" Christine's voice came through. "Father's birthday party has just begun and everyone's asking about you."

John had almost forgotten that it was his father-in-law's birthday. "I'll be on my way soon," he replied simply before dropping the call.

Torn between duty and desperation, John cast an anguished look at Mama Pat and the children.

"I have to go," he managed to say. "I'll find a way, I promise."

With a heavy heart, he turned and hurried out of the hospital room.