Chapter Nine: The Final Gift
"Vanessa! Vanessa!" Margaret shouted, her voice trembling with panic. "Nurse! Please help!" she cried again, desperate for assistance.
"Oh my goodness, let's not wait for the nurse. Let's carry her inside quickly!" Richard said urgently. Without wasting time, they lifted Vanessa and rushed her into the hospital. Two nurses spotted them and immediately came to help.
Once inside, they gently laid Vanessa on a hospital bed.
"Nurse, she's fainted! Please, we need a doctor urgently!" Margaret cried, worry clearly written on her face.
The attending nurse didn't stop to call the doctor—she knew one would be on the way. Without hesitation, she began performing chest compressions on Vanessa.
As the nurse worked, Richard tapped Vanessa's leg, his voice thick with concern. "Vanessa, wake up, please… your dad is calling you."
Just then, the doctor rushed in—and almost at the same moment, Vanessa began to cough.
Relief washed over Margaret's face. She stepped closer to her daughter, but the doctor gently intervened.
"Mrs. Trent, please step back so we can do our work," the doctor instructed firmly. Margaret nodded and moved aside.
Isabelle, Richard, and Margaret watched anxiously, then slowly began to smile as Vanessa continued coughing—a sign that life was returning. They were relieved.
A few moments later, the doctor finished attending to Vanessa and turned to Richard. "Mr. Trent, please get her something to eat before we proceed with the next stage of treatment."
"Okay, Doctor. Thank you," Richard replied.
He walked over to Vanessa's bedside. "What would you like to eat, sweetheart?"
Vanessa answered, and Richard asked Isabelle to go and get the food. She quickly left the room, and the doctor stepped out as well.
Just then, Margaret's phone rang. It was Jaden.
"Have you gotten to the hospital?" he asked.
"Yes," Margaret replied.
"Thank God. How is she feeling now?"
"She's all right now," Margaret said with a small smile.
"Thank God. What's the name and location of the Clinic?" he asked. Margaret gave him the details.
"I'll be there soon," he said before ending the call.
A few minutes later, Isabelle returned with the food. "Vanessa, try to sit up a bit," she said gently, placing the tray in front of her. Vanessa nodded and began to eat.
Not long after, the doctor returned and re-examined her carefully.
When he was done, he turned to Richard and Margaret. "Please follow me," he said, leading them to his office.
Inside, the doctor sat at his desk while Richard and Margaret took the seats in front of him. He scribbled something on a piece of paper and handed it to Margaret.
"These are the medications she needs," he explained. "Also, she'll require a blood transfusion. We need a donor as soon as possible."
Richard and Margaret exchanged concerned glances, then turned back to the doctor.
"We'll get the drugs now and come back to discuss the blood donation," Richard said as he stood. Margaret followed him out.
Back in Vanessa's room, they found Jaden and Isabelle talking quietly while Vanessa rested.
"Jaden," Richard said, walking toward him, "your wife needs these medications. Let me give you my card so you can buy them."
Jaden took the prescription but shook his head. "Don't worry about your card, sir. I'll use my own money to get them."
"All right then. Please be quick," Richard said gratefully.
Jaden nodded and left.
A short while later, he returned with the medications and found the Trents discussing the blood donation.
No one had yet volunteered. When Jaden overheard the conversation, he didn't hesitate.
"I'll donate," he said. "As long as the doctor confirms I'm a match, I'm willing."
Everyone turned to him in surprise, touched by his gesture. Without wasting time, Richard led Jaden to the doctor for compatibility testing and donation procedures.
Everyone was surprised by Jaden's offer, and without delay, Richard led him to the doctor for the blood donation.
The doctor conducted a compatibility test and confirmed that Jaden's blood was a suitable match for Vanessa.
Richard exhaled in relief at the news.
The doctor nodded. "We'll proceed immediately with the transfusion."
As the procedure began—blood being drawn from Jaden and administered to Vanessa—Richard, Margaret, and Isabelle sat quietly on a nearby bench, their eyes fixed on the scene. Jaden stood nearby, his expression a blend of concern and determination.
Not far from them, another patient—an elderly man, about 85 or 86 years old—rested in a hospital bed. He had just completed his treatment and was lying quietly. His bed was close enough that Richard and his family could hear what was happening.
The old man was surrounded by his wife and two adult sons. Though frail, his eyes were alert, and his voice, though weak, carried the weight of urgency. He was a billionaire, known for owning several filling stations across the country, along with numerous investments and shares.
Sensing that his time was short, the old man beckoned his wife and sons closer. His voice was soft but deliberate.
"My sons… my dear wife," he began. "Promise me—do not fight over my properties. Thank God the pastor came yesterday to pray with me. I've made peace with God."
He paused to gather strength, then continued. "I've already divided my investments and assets between the two of you. Life on this earth is short. No matter how long we live, we all return to dust. But the life to come—that is eternal."
The room fell into reverent silence.
"When my condition worsened, I told you to call the pastor. I needed to repent before it was too late. And now, I ask this of you…" He motioned toward a small envelope beside him.
"Inside are the documents for all my properties. I want to have riches in heaven, not just on earth. Take my ATM card and go to the bank. There's $500 million in my account. From that, give $1 million each to all the bodyguards and household staff who are still working for me. They have served me faithfully and deserve to be rewarded."
He closed his eyes briefly, then opened them again.
"This money will change their lives. But remember—only those who are still with us, not those who left."
Though his voice trembled, he pressed on.
"Also, take $50 million from my account and distribute it to the poor—the orphans, the widows, and those in need. Do not sell any of my properties. Preserve them. Use them wisely. And above all, do everything I've asked. I want to be rewarded in heaven."
His sons nodded, their eyes brimming with tears.
One of them leaned in, waiting for his father to finish speaking so he could respond—but before he could, the old man let out a final breath and went still.
A long moment passed.
"Dad?" one of the sons whispered, gently shaking his arm.
Suddenly, both sons cried out, "Doctor! Please, come quickly!"