When I returned to the ward, I found my mother struggling to breathe without the oxygen mask, clutching the bed sheets, her chest rising and falling erratically.
Panicked, I screamed for a nurse, "Where is my mother's ventilator? She can't breathe!"
The nurse stammered, "Mr. Johnson came by earlier. He said your mother's condition wasn't critical and took the ventilator for another patient who needed it more."
The nurse's words hit me like a ton of bricks-- who could need it more than my mother?
Without a second thought, I ran to find James, determined to confront him about why he took away the one thing keeping my mother alive.
In a frantic search, I finally spotted him in the VIP room, the ventilator next to the plump woman!
"James! How could you take Mom's ventilator away?"
James sneered, "She was just complaining! The machine is for patients who need it more!"
I looked at the rosy-faced woman; it was clear my mother needed it more!
Desperate, I lunged to push the ventilator away, but James grabbed me and threw me to the ground, disdainfully shouting,
"Security! Get this crazy woman out of here! She's trying to sabotage medical equipment!"
Despite my desperate attempts to explain, the security guards still hauled me back to my mother's room. She was barely conscious, gripping my hand with what little strength she had left.
"Emily, don't waste your time looking for your brother. I'm not going to make it. Let's just go home."
Tears welled up in my eyes instantly. I tried to keep my voice steady as I reassured her, "We can't give up now! I'll find a doctor and get another ventilator!"
I said this, but deep down, I knew I was running out of money. I gritted my teeth and asked the doctor if we could get another ventilator.
The doctor shook his head in frustration. "Mr. Johnson's patient only has breathing issues from obesity. They don't need a ventilator!"
I was stunned. How could James take the ventilator meant for our mother and give it to his "Second Mom," Sophia?
I couldn't bear to tell my mother the truth, so I just told her the ventilator would be arriving soon. But my perceptive mother figured it out. "Emily, I know your brother did this on purpose. He still hasn't forgiven me. It's alright."
Unable to hold back my tears any longer, I broke down and clung to her, terrified of losing her.