Stefan looked at Vrie, his eyes red. "Veevee, thank you! I''m sorry for causing you trouble."


    "It''s fine, it''s not a big deal. Go check on your mom," Vrie said.


    After Stefan left, Vrie turned to the nurse. "Can I pay the hospital fees now?"


    The nurse nodded. "Yes, you can."


    Once Vrie finished paying and the nurse confirmed the transaction, she said, "Ms. Weir, I''ll have my colleagues move Mr. Foley''s mother back to her room now."


    "Okay," Vrie replied.


    She didn''t argue with the nurse. After all, the hospital was just following protocol. Stefan''s mother had been behind on payments for over two weeks, and the fact that they hadn''t moved her out sooner was already lenient.


    Before long, Stefan''s mother was back in the ICU.


    Seeing the medical equipment reconnected, Stefan let out a breath of relief.


    After confirming his mother''s condition was stable, he turned to Vrie. "Veevee, I really don''t know what I would''ve done without you tonight. Thank you. I promise I''ll find a way to pay you back."


    Vrie looked at him, her gaze curious. "Don''t worry about the money right now. But I do have a question. How long has your mom been in the ICU?"


    "More than three years," Stefan said. "She was in a car ident three years ago and fell into aa. The doctors said she might never wake up."


    "So she''s been in intensive care this whole time?" Vrie asked.


    "Yeah," Stefan answered.


    "I checked earlier. The daily cost of an ICU stay is over 3,000 dors. You''re still a university student. How have you been paying for all of this?" Vrie asked.


    She knew Stefan well enough to be certain he couldn''t afford such a massive expense. Even if the driver responsible for the ident had paidpensation, it wouldn''t have been nearly enough.


    Stefan smiled bitterly. "I''m an illegitimate child. The money came from my father."


    If his father, Brad Snowden, hadn''t suddenly cut him off, Stefan would never have been forced to work with Michelle to get close to Vrie.


    At first, he only wanted money for his mother''s medical expenses. But after spending time with Vrie, he had developed real feelings for her.


    Vrie was momentarily stunned. "I''m sorry, I didn''t know."


    She felt a wave of guilt, realizing she had doubted him earlier.


    "You don''t have to feel bad," Stefan said. "I''ve been used to this my whole life."


    To him, his so-called father was just


    a stranger with whom he happened to share blood. If his mother hadn''t been in the ident, he probably never would have met that family.


    "So your mom suddenly falling behind on payments-does that mean something


    happened with your dad''s side?" Vrie asked.


    Stefan looked down. "Maybe. I''ll go find out tomorrow."


    "Alright," Vrie replied.


    Bet


    "Veevee, I''ve already troubled you enough tonight. It''s gettingte. K walk you downstairs. Oh, and about the medical expenses let me write you a promissory note, Stefan said.


    Vrie waved him off. "That''s not necessary-"


    Stefan interrupted her. "No, I need to. I don''t want to owe you more than I already


    do."


    Seeing the determination in his eyes,


    Vrie sighed and nodded. "Alright. But there''s no rush-pay me back when you start working and have the money."  t


    As they walked toward the elevator, they talked.


    Just as they reached it, the doors slid open.


    Vrie was surprised to see Brandon standing inside. "Brandon? What are you


    doing here?"