Liora

commercial. Everything about him was perfect...perfectly groomed hair, sharp eyes, and a suit t

er notice. I was still clutching it so hard the edges were turning white. "My mother is being moved to a public ward in f

his eyes at all. "The transfer can be canceled with a single phone call, Miss Hayes. But we sho

stood there for a second, feeling small. But I had no choice. Desperate

fee and that industrial lemon cleaner that never quite hides the scent of old food. I sat across from him at a pl

d. I tried to sound to

her briefcase on the table. It looked expensive. Everythi

ow? I'm just a wai

city, Miss Hayes. And right now, you are very, ver

tion,' I believe you have a few more calls to make. I'll give you ten minutes. If you can find the fif

h. It was a silver watch. It probab

ger was the truth. He was right. I pulled out my cracked phone

e kindergarten. We used to share everything...c

breathless, like she was running. "I'm so

need fifty thousand dollars for the deposit. I know it's a lot, I know. But if you cou

of silence that tells you the ans

n medical bills from my dad's surgery last year. You know that. And I just spent my savings on that

here. They don't have

I have to go, my boss is looking at

ic

didn't pay for surgery. Prayers didn't stop the orde

ke a stone. I called my Aunt Sarah. She was m

rah? It'

t me say hello. "I don't have any more money to give you. My husband's business i

al today. She won't survive the transition.

machines when you can't afford it is selfish, Liora. You're just dragging out the pain. Don'

ne wen

. I felt a coldness in my chest. It wasn't the rain. It was the realization that

being the "good girl." I helped people. I worked hard. And now the world

he table. My hands w

His voice was quiet. Al

ened my mouth, I'd just scream or cry, and

k about the $50

I'm a waitress. I don't have anything wor

ory of addiction. You're perfect," Xavier said. He leaned forward. "My employer is a very powerful man. He requires an h

ispered. The w

ife and a healthy child. In exchange, your mother's bills are paid in full. Today. Not just the depos

ia started to spin. "You

e possible. You, on the other hand, will receive five hundred thousand dollars once the child is delivered. Plus, all your expenses are paid while

the table. It showed a bank bala

ce: $

ee cents. That was it. That

have twelve hours before your mother's condition becomes critical. The

ulling up. I saw two orderlies getting out. They were laughing about something

face. I heard the whis

ce was trembling so hard I c

knew he had me. "But first, sign the preliminary consent. Le

d heavy. It felt like a weapon. If I took it, I w

s a murderer. I was letting my

ngers brushed the co

was going to be an object, I was going to be an expensive one. "I want to see the 'Pa

been respect, or maybe he just liked