The Debt of Life and Death

By Kevin Dewayne Hughes

One desperate act. One life-or-death standoff. A love that will be tested beyond the breaking point.

In the coastal city of Surigao, Liam, a retired Chicago SWAT officer, struggles to provide for his young Filipina wife, Sarah. The bills are piling up, his retirement check no longer stretches far enough, and now Sarah is expecting their first child. Joy battles dread in Liam's heart as he faces the reality that he may not be able to afford the cost of bringing his son into the world.

When Sarah's labor turns dangerous and the hospital demands payment before performing an emergency C-section, Liam makes a choice that will change all their lives: he takes the hospital hostage at gunpoint. The operating room becomes the heart of a tense standoff with the Surigao City SWAT team, led by Captain Morales-a man who begins to see reflections of his own life in Liam's desperate actions.

As a surgical mishap threatens Sarah's life, an unlikely act of solidarity from a young nurse buys precious time. Outside, tensions boil over when love, grief, and duty collide-leading to irreversible consequences. In the hours that follow, bonds will be tested, sacrifices made, and a child's future forever shaped by the choices of that fateful day.

The Debt of Life and Death is a gripping blend of suspense, tragedy, and enduring love. Set against the rich and gritty backdrop of the Philippines, it explores how far a man will go to protect his family-and the price love sometimes demands.

Author: Kevin Dewayne Hughes
Publisher: Ace Kiwami Publications

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0FMPHNNHL
• ISBN13: 9798297759886
• Release Date: August 2025
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 150 Pages
• Weight: 0.34 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 5.0" x 8.0"