Chapter 1

“Mr. Costa, this is your third warning. Teleus Costa’s ventricular tachycardia is extremely severe. His myocardial ischemia has reached a critical level too.

“If he doesn’t undergo surgery as soon as possible, he’s at risk of sudden cardiac death at any moment.”

The head of the cardiology department pointed at the black-and-white electrocardiogram. Her brow furrowed and her tone was as stern as a court verdict.

I sat on the hard bed in the examination room, feeling as if a boulder were pressing down on my chest. Every breath brought a dull, pulling pain.

I looked at my dad, hoping he would pat me on the shoulder as any other father would do and tell me, “Don’t be afraid. Dad’s here. We’ll get through this.”

My dad looked at the doctor. His eyes immediately welled up with tears, and his voice choked with emotion.

“Doctor, I know it’s serious… I’m his father. How could I not be heartbroken? It breaks my heart to see my child suffering.”

As he spoke, he gripped my shoulders tightly. His hands were large but trembling.

“But doctor, you must also understand the struggle we parents are going through. Teleus is a senior this year, and there are less than 100 days left until the SATs. He’s always been a high achiever.

“His grades have consistently ranked in the top ten of his grade. This is the most crucial step for him to change his destiny.”

The female doctor sighed and slammed her pen down on the desk. “Mr. Costa, he’s on the brink of death. What’s the point of talking about destiny?”

My father leaned forward urgently. His tone was almost pleading. In fact, it was even tinged with a hint of flattery.

“That’s why I’d like to discuss this with you. Could we attempt conservative treatment first? Prescribe the best medication.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s a bit more expensive, as long as we can stabilize his condition for these three months. As soon as the exam ends, we’ll have the surgery immediately, even if it’s that very night!

“Doctor, I’m begging you. My son has studied hard for all those years. He can’t let it all come to nothing at the very last moment.”

The doctor laughed in exasperation and turned to look at me. “Young man, you tell me. It’s your own body. Can you handle it?”

I opened my mouth. My heart pounded frantically in my chest. The panic of impending death made my fingertips go numb.

I wanted to say. “Doctor, I’m so exhausted. Every night, I can’t catch my breath. I’m afraid I’ll die in the exam room.”

But before I could speak, my dad’s large hand patted me on the back.

He looked at me. Beneath the sternness, his eyes were filled with tenderness and encouragement.

“Teleus, I understand everything, I know how hard you’ve been working. But we’ve held on to this for so long, we’re just one final hurdle away.

“If you’re hospitalized now, won’t all our previous efforts have been for nothing? You’re a man. You’re such a capable young man.

“I believe you definitely don’t want to have any regrets, right? Let’s just grit our teeth and push through this a little longer, okay?”