Rachel was a dedicated nurse and the main breadwinner of her family. But her family’s problems weren’t the only burdens she faced. One of her colleagues, Christina, harbored personal anger and jealousy toward her. One day, a millionaire named Mr. Hamilton was admitted to the hospital where Rachel worked. All the nurses were afraid of him because of his short temper. But when Rachel was assigned to Mr. Hamilton, she quickly earned his trust.
Until one day, Mr. Hamilton asked Rachel for a favor, something he wanted to fulfill before leaving this world. And that was for Rachel to pretend to be his daughter for just one day. Would Rachel grant Mr. Hamilton’s request? Would Rachel ever escape the hardships she was going through? This is Mr. Hope once again, inviting you to listen to another extraordinary true-life story.
The air outside felt cold when Rachel stepped out of the hospital. The sky was dark, and only the street lamps lit her path. It was nearly eleven at night, yet her day wasn’t over.
She still had to catch a bus home to the tiny room she rented in an old apartment building. Rachel had been working as a nurse in a private hospital for almost three years. While waiting at the bus stop, she pulled out her phone and called her mother.
After a few seconds, her mother answered. Rachel, my child, you called, what’s the matter? Her mother asked. Mum, how are you? Rachel asked.
Even though she was tired, she smiled upon hearing her mother’s voice. She heard a faint cough from her mother before she answered. I’m hanging in there, but my body’s a bit sore.
Your siblings are already asleep. Thank you, by the way, for the money you sent last week. Good thing we managed to pay their tuition.
Her mother’s tone was grateful. Please remind them to study hard, okay? I’m sorry I haven’t been able to send more lately, Rachel said. My last paycheck wasn’t enough, but I promise to make up for it next week.
That’s all right, honey. I feel embarrassed because I’m afraid there’s never anything left for you. Don’t work yourself to the bone.
I know you’re the only one supporting us, but I hope you also think about yourself, her mother said, voice full of concern. Rachel closed her eyes and stopped her tears from falling. She wanted to tell her mother how tight things were and how she was barely surviving, but she chose not to because she didn’t want her family to worry about her.
I’m okay, mum. How about Ethan? How’s his girlfriend? Rachel asked, changing the subject. Oh, that’s another piece of our problem.
The girlfriend’s family wants them to get married right away. I told them we don’t have the money yet. I don’t know what your brother was thinking.
He’s still in school, and now she’s pregnant, Rachel’s mum said, clearly annoyed. Let’s not dwell on it, mum. It’s already done.
I’ll start saving so they can get married, and we can cover her prenatal care. All right, mum. There’s a bus coming.
I’ll call you again in a day or two, Rachel said. Okay, honey. Take care, her mother replied, then ended the call.
Rachel took a deep breath afterward. The truth was, she was exhausted, but she had no choice but to keep going, for someone like her, who was the sole provider, being tired or taking a break wasn’t an option. The bus arrived, and she quickly flagged it down.
She got on, and as it drove away, she reminded herself again why she was working so hard. She longed to give her family a better life. By the time Rachel reached her apartment, she was completely worn out from a more than 12-hour hospital shift.
She’d been going around the ward all day, monitoring patients with hardly any break. She wanted only one thing at that moment, to collapse on her small mattress and steal a few hours of sleep. But she stopped short upon seeing the door to her rented room.
It was locked with thick chains wrapped around the knob, and secured by a heavy padlock. Rachel frowned in confusion. She hurried to knock on the door of her landlord, Mrs. Pauler, a plump woman who wore glasses and loved cheap jewelry.
She knocked three times, but there was no answer. She glanced around, hoping someone else could explain what happened, but the entire building was silent. She knocked again, louder.