Liora

of a luxury car commercial...perfectly groomed, eyes sharp, and we

notice in my hand. "My mother is being moved to a public ward in fifteen

ed one. "The transfer can be canceled with a single phone call, Miss Hayes. But we

d toward the back of the lobby. Left with no choice

mell of stale coffee and industrial cleaner. I sat across from him at

t you?"

, placing his leather briefcase on the

t? How? I'm ju

ed the briefcase. I caught a glimpse of thick, cream-colored documents. "Before we discuss the 'solution,' I believe you have a few more

, checking an

errifying realization. He was right. I pulled o

riend since kindergarten. We had shar

ounded breathless. "I'm so sorry,

need fifty thousand dollars for the deposit. I know it's a lot, but i

sit. My parents are still paying off their own medical bills from my dad's surgery last year. And

l die in the

I have to go, my boss is looking at

ic

ke a slap. Prayers didn

oat and called my Aunt Sarah.

rah? It'

fore I could even speak. "I don't have any more money to give you.

hospital today. She won't survive th

alive on machines when you can't afford it is selfish, Liora. Do

ne wen

ow deeper. I felt a coldness in my chest that had nothing to do w

spent my entire life being the "good girl," the one who helped everyone

n the table. My h

Xavier as

head, unabl

k about the $50

or what? I'm a waitress. I don't

" Xavier said, leaning forward. "My employer is a very powerful man. He requires an heir. A

ate?" I w

your life and a healthy child. In exchange, your mother's bills are paid in full. Today. Not ju

like it was spinning. "Yo

er hand, will receive five hundred thousand dollars upon delivery of the child, plus all expenses paid for the duration of

the table. It showed a bank bala

ce: $

-three cents. That was t

ghts. "And you have twelve hours before your mother's condition b

he public ward was pulling up to the hospital entrance

r's pale face. I heard the

I asked, my v

tanding up. "But first, sign the preliminary

lver, and felt like a weapon. If I took it, I was

t take it, I w

rs brushing against the

my voice hardening. "I want to see the 'Paid in Full

h something like respect.