Chapter 5

Alice woke up in the early hours of the morning, her mind already racing with anxiety. She had barely slept all night, tormented by the thoughtof Harry's leukemia and her own responsibilities. It was her first day back at work after taking some time off to care for Harry. She tried to calm herself down by taking deep breaths but her heart was racing too fast. She got out ofbed, determined to make the most of her day.

As Alice got ready for work, she couldn't help but worry about Harry's condition. She had made the decision to go to work because she needed to make enough money to help with the ongoing medical costs and to keep a roof over their heads. Alice had always been a hard worker, but now she had even more motivation to succeed. She knew that her children depended on her, and she wouldn't let them down.

After getting dressed for work, Alice went to see Harry. He was resting peacefully, but she could see the toll that his illness had taken on him. She knew that chemotherapy, radiation, and blood transfusions would all be part of his treatment plan. Alice hugged Harry tightly, kissed him on the forehead, and whispered a message of love and hope.

Alice then went to see her other children, Henry, Harriet, and Hanna, who were all getting ready for their day. She made sure that they knew that they had to take care of Harry while she was at work. Henry, who was the eldest, nodded solemnly. Harriet and Hanna, who were twins, were only four years old, but they seemed to understand the seriousness of the situation. Alice promised them that she would be back in the evening, and that everything would be alright.

As Alice left the house, she felt a pang of guilt. She wished she could be there with her children all day, but she also knew that going to work was the right thing to do. The family needed money to pay for Harry's medical expenses, and Alice needed to keep her job if she was going to be able to provide for them.

Alice arrived at work, greeted by the usual hustle and bustle of co-workers rushing to their desks and grabbing their morning coffee. She smiled at them, but her mind was elsewhere. She couldn't shake off the feeling of worry that gnawed at her. She knew that the next few months were going to be tough, and that it would be a struggle to balance work and caring for Harry.

Throughout the day, Alice tried to stay focused on her work. She answered emails and phone calls, went to meetings, and completed tasks on her to-do list. But her thoughts kept drifting back to Harry. She wondered how he was doing, if he was getting the care he needed, and if he was feeling better.

As the day wore on, Alice became increasingly emotional. She missed her children, and she felt guilty for being away. She knew she was doing what she had to do for the family, but it didn't make it any easier.

Alice had started her new job as a messenger in Nathan Wilson's company, hoping that it would help her provide for her children's medical expenses. Eventhough she was new in the office, she was determined to do her best and make a good impression.

As Alice was walking to the coffee machine, she bumped into Nathan, who was walking towards his office. Nathan greeted her with a smile, butAlice could tell that he was staring at her. She couldn't help but feel self-conscious, wondering if she had something on her face or if her outfit was inappropriate. But then, as Alice spoke, Nathan recognized his voice and realized that they had met before.

"It's great to have you on board, Alice," Nathan said, still smiling. "I think we met at the hospital, didn't we? You were there with your son."

Alice felt a wave of relief wash over her. Nathan remembered her from the hospital, where Harry was receiving treatment for leukemia. She nodded, her eyes filling with tears.

"Yes, that's right," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Harry has leukemia, and I'm doing everything I can to provide for him and my other children. This job is really important to me."

Nathan's expression softened, and he put a hand on her shoulder.

"I’m so sorry to hear that. If you ever need any help or support, just let me know," he said. "As for work, don't worry about it too much. We're an understanding team, and we'll work around your schedule to make sure you can be there for your family when they need you."

Alice felt a sudden wave of gratitude and relief. It was like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. She thanked Nathan, wiping away her tears, and went back to her desk, feeling more motivated than ever.

As the day went on, Alice couldn't help but worry about her son Harry. She was tempted to check on him every few minutes, but she knew she had to focus on her work. She tried to stay focused, but it was hard when her mind was on Harry’s treatment.

When she finished her tasks for the day, Alice went to Nathan's office to thank him personally for his kindness. She noticed that his office had a very calm atmosphere; there was a bookshelf, a comfortable chair, and some potted plants. Nathan welcomed Alice warmly and invited her to sit down.

"I’m really grateful for your help and support. It means a lot to me as a single mom," Alice said.

"No need to thank me," Nathan replied. "We're more than just co-workers here, we're a team. And as a team, we look after each other."

Nathan then offered Alice some advice, "Listen, I know that it can be hard to balance work and personal life. But it's important to take care of yourself too. You can't take care of your family if you're not in a good place mentally and physically."

Alice listened carefully, and Nathan continued, "So don't be afraid to ask for some time off if you need it. Or even just take a breather during the day. You're not alone in this, Alice."

Alice was grateful for Nathan's words of encouragement. She had never worked with someone who was so understanding and supportive before. Finally, she felt like she had found a real community of coworkers who cared about her and her family.

As Alice left Nathan's office, she felt a sense of renewed determination. With the help of her new team and Nathan's kind words, she knew that she could make it through the tough times ahead. Harry's illness was still a big challenge, but she was ready to face it with strength and positivity. She knew that she had a team of people who had her back, and that was all that mattered.

Finally, as the workday ended, Alice packed up her belongings and headed home. She couldn't wait to see her children and to check on Harry. When she arrived home, the children greeted her with hugs and smiles, but Alice noticed that Harry was still sleeping. She quietly went to his bedside and saw that he was still hooked up to an IV, a reminder of the grueling medical treatments he was receiving.

Alice spent the evening with her children, cooking dinner, reading stories, and playing games. But even as she tried to relax, she couldn't escape the constant worry. She was tired from her long day at work, but she knew there was no rest for her. She had to stay strong for her family, and that meant constantly being on guard.

After the children had gone to bed, Alice sat on the couch, thinking about the day. Despite all the challenges, she felt proud of herself for making it through. She knew that there would be many more tough days to come, but she was determined to face them head on. She took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and silently prayed for the strength to keep going.