Chapter 256: Natalie's Dilemma

Natalie's heart raced as she answered the phone, her mother's voice trembling on the other end. "Natalie, it's your mother," she said, her words laced with worry. "Something's wrong with the baby." Natalie's grip tightened around the phone as her mind raced with a million fearful thoughts. Her baby, her precious little one, was sick. Panic threatened to consume her as she tried to steady her breathing. "What's wrong?" she managed to ask, her voice barely above a whisper. "He's running a fever, Natalie," her mother explained, her voice shaking with emotion. "I don't know what to do. We need to take him to the hospital, but... the cost of his treatment..." Natalie's heart sank. She knew all too well the financial strain that medical emergencies could bring. Her baby had a heart condition that required surgery, a fact that had kept her awake countless nights worrying about how to afford the procedure. As her mother's voice faded into the background, Natalie's thoughts turned t