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The phone rings once before my father answers, sounding tense and upset.
"Amelia, why are you calling here?"
I keep my voice a low whisper.
"Dad, we found a donor for Elle. She can have the surgery, but I need money. I can't afford it."
"Amelia." His voice is heavy with regret. "If I help you, he will kill us all."
"If you don't help me Elle might die."
"I'm so sorry, sweetheart. You are going to have to find another way. I know you will figure it out. You have to. Please don't call again. I love you both."
He hangs up the phone and I stare in disbelief at the disconnected call.
Never in a million years would I have expected my father to say no to his granddaughter.
It just goes to show the fear that Stefano sets in the hearts of people around him.
I'm fighting tears, a losing battle when I hear Matteo's voice calling from downstairs.
"Amelia - are you home?"
I hurriedly brush the back of my hand across my cheeks.
"I'll be down in a second," I call back to him.
In the bathroom, I quickly splash cold water on my face, but it does nothing to hide the heavy dark circles and puffiness around my eyes. They are red and swollen from crying.
I sigh. What does it matter anyway? Of course, I'm upset. Why should I hide it?
I pull Matteo outside to the patio where we can talk in private.
He takes one look at me and tilts his head sideways. "I thought you'd be celebrating, but it looks like someone killed your cat. What's going on?"
"I got the quote for Elle's surgery. It's way more than I can afford. The bank refuses to give me any more loans and now I feel like I've come so far only to hit a brick wall." I start crying again, embarrassment staining my cheeks red at the same time.
Matteo pulls me into a hug. "Stop this. I can help. I have a team of private doctors who work in that business I told you about. They will help. Elle will get the surgery she needs. I promise you. You have nothing to worry about, ok?"
Inside the house, through the glass of the massive patio doors, I see Stefano walking past and I quickly step away from Matteo.
I'm taking stupid risks getting his help.
But what else can I do at this point?
I'll do anything for my daughter, my beautiful child. She doesn't deserve any of what she's going through, and I have to do whatever it takes to save her.
"You'll ask them? And let me know?" I ask Matteo, referring to the doctors he says work with him.
"Yes. They'll help. Definitely. I don't even have to ask. I'll just make the arrangements and get back to you. Anyways. I've got to get going. I have a late meeting now. I'll be in touch. Don't worry, ok."
He reaches out and squeezes my shoulders gently.
I bite my lower lip. I am worried. I will continue to worry until Elle has the surgery.
Matteo leaves and I'm left standing out on the patio alone. Again, I'm fighting tears. The stress is too much to handle.
I feel so close and so far away from the goal - from saving my daughter's life.
