I Dumped a Scumbag and Married A Boxer Star-Chapter 17: Reality…

Chapter 17: Reality...

Raphael arrived at the hospital, rushing his footsteps.

The moment he stepped inside, he spotted Ines sitting on a plastic chair, clutching her arm with an empty facial expression on her face.

She looked... lost.

Not in the way someone who had lost their way physically, but in a way that seemed deeper, more profound.

"Ines," he called out, moving towards her.

She barely turned her head.

Instead, her eyes were glued to something else—a small girl, no older than seven, sitting in a wheelchair near the front desk.

Her skin was pale, her tiny body frail, and her breathing seemed labored.

Next to her was a woman who sobbed quietly while a nurse shook her head.

"I'm sorry, but without payment, we can't continue treatment."

The mother clutched at the nurse's sleeve desperately.

"Please, she's all I have. She needs that surgery. I just need more time—"

"The policy is clear," the nurse interrupted, her face looked cold but tired. "We can't make exceptions."

Ines felt like someone had poured ice down her back.

She turned to Raphael, whispering. "They're not going to treat her."

Raphael followed her eyes, his jaw tightened as he took in the scene.

"No, they won't."

"They're going to let her die."

He exhaled, a long, slow breath.

"That's how it works, Ines. Your father's company doesn't run on charity."

Ines flinched as though he had slapped her.

She knew how strict her father was with his policies, but seeing it in action like this—it made her stomach twist.

The mother fell to her knees, sobbing into her hands as the little girl weakly tugged at her sleeve.

"Mama, it's okay. Don't cry."

Ines's heart shattered into a thousand pieces.

She had lived her whole life knowing she was privileged, but she had never truly understood what that meant.

Not until now...Not until she saw a child barely hanging on, while her mother begged for her life.

Raphael's voice cut through everything."Come on, let's get your bill settled."

She didn't move. Her eyes stayed locked on the mother and child.

"Ines."

She turned to him slowly, her chest burned with something between anger and despair.

"You're telling me my father is responsible for this?"

He crossed his arms. "Who else? Your father built an empire that profits off people's suffering. You think he cares about them?"

Ines had nothing to say to that.

Instead, she turned away, walking toward the front desk where the little girl sat.

"Excuse me," she said to the nurse, who gave her an impatient glance. "How much is the surgery?"

The nurse raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

"Because I want to pay for it."

The mother gasped, her hands flew to her mouth. "Miss, you don't have to—"

"I want to," Ines cut her off, reaching for her phone—only to remember that her accounts were locked.

Her stomach dropped.

The nurse sighed. "If you can't pay, don't waste our time."

Before Ines could say anything, Raphael stepped in front of her, pulling out his wallet. "How much?"

The nurse blinked. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me," Raphael said, sounding more stricter and sharper. "How much for the surgery?"

The nurse hesitated before checking her monitor. "$50,000."

Raphael pulled out his card and handed it over. "Charge it."

Ines turned to him, her eyebrows almost reached her hairline. "Raphael—"

"Don't start," he muttered.

The nurse took the card, running it through the machine before handing it back.

"It's covered. The surgery will be scheduled immediately."

The mother collapsed into sobs of gratitude. "Thank you—thank you so much. I don't know how to repay you."

"You don't have to," Raphael replied, turning away. "Just take care of your daughter."

Ines stared at him, feeling something shift inside her.

This man...this man who was supposed to be cold and looked evil had just paid for a stranger's surgery without a second thought.

Raphael sighed, running a hand through his hair. "You should rest."

Ines looked around the hospital, her head was spinning.

"How do I sleep knowing this is happening everywhere?"

He let out a tired chuckle. "Welcome to reality, princess."

After everything was over, it was time to go home.

Ines was in the passenger seat, her arm wrapped in a fresh cast, staring out of the window.

The hospital visit had left her shaken...not because of her own injury, but because of what she had seen.

The mother sobbing over her child, the man being dragged out because he couldn't pay.

The image of the little girl's body wouldn't leave her mind.

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Raphael tapped his fingers against the steering wheel. "They said you have to come back in four weeks."

She nodded, still lost in thought.

"Your wrist will be stiff if you don't move it enough."

"Yeah."

He glanced at her, his brows knitted together. "Are you okay?"

She turned to him, finally breaking from her daze. "Do you think my father is a monster?"

Raphael's grip on the wheel tightened. "You need me to answer that?"

She sighed.

"I never paid attention before."

Her voice was quieter now, feeling almost guilty.

"But tonight...seeing those people, that little girl..." She swallowed hard.

"I never realised how much power he has. How much harm he's done."

Raphael didn't speak for a moment.

He simply drove, his jaw clenched.

Then, he exhaled for a long second. "You were never meant to realise it. You grew up with everything handed to you."

Ines turned her body towards him. "You think I'm spoiled."

He smirked slightly but didn't take his eyes off the road. "I know you are."

She huffed and crossed her arms, or at least tried to with one broken. "You're an ass."

"And you're slow at catching up."

She wanted to argue, but she knew he wasn't wrong.

The car pulled up to the house, and as they stepped out, Raphael finally said, "I have a fight tomorrow."

She paused at the door, turning to look at him. "And?"

"You don't have to come."

She raised a brow. "Excuse me?"

"It's not exactly your scene."

Her lips curled into a smirk. "And what is my scene, Raphael? Shopping? Tea parties?"

He formed a smile. "Yeah, something like that."

"Well, too bad." She walked past him, tossing her hair over her shoulder. "I'm coming."

"You'll hate it."

"I'll be the judge of that."

He shook his head. "You're impossible."

"And you're stuck with me."

Raphael watched her disappear inside, rubbing a hand over his face.

Tomorrow was going to be a long night...two more fights before the final...