Jenny didn’t even finish reading the message yet when her phone showed her the money transfer message.
10 grand received in her account.
She didn’t even know what to say. 10 grand for one night, this must be a pretty high price already. Jenny laughed self mockingly. “I have enough for my mom’s surgery fees, I don’t want to go anymore.”
“No, you have to go! Don’t think that I don’t know. You love Harold, and now you have a chance to give him your body, why don’t you take it? Plus, I am paying you for it. Don’t take the money and pretend to be innocent. I am not discussing it with you, I am demanding you.”
Hm. Torah wasn’t wrong. Jenny actually didn’t have any excuses to refuse her. The first time she agreed to sell her body already gave her no way out anymore.
…
Night time, still the same bedroom, still the same bed.
Jenny didn’t know why Harold never turns on the lights. If he did, he would’ve known it was her. She wondered what the consequences would have been.
Her sister and father would immediately start insulting her, claim that she was seducing her future brother in-saw, and maybe even tell her mother about this. Jenny’s mother would never be able to take the insults.
She took off her clothes, took a shower, and lay down.
Harold hugged her tightly into his arms, but he didn’t continue. Suddenly she heard his voice in above her head.
“How about the 10th of next month for our wedding?”
Jenny paused. They’re already getting married? Even the date will be set soon?
She didn’t dare to say anything, so she just nodded into his chest.
“What kind of a ceremony would you like? At the beach? Or rather on the lawn? Or maybe in the church?”
“…” Jenny would love a wedding on the beach, but she cannot allow herself to speak, so she just pretended to be asleep, instead of answering his question.
In the darkness she could feel how Harold kissed her head. He didn’t do anything that night, just hugged her tightly and slept.
The next morning, Jenny used the excuse to go to the bathroom and quickly swapped with her sister Torah.
Jenny arrived at the hospital, but her mom was not in her bed. The breakfast she brought for her mother suddenly slipped out of her grip and fell on the floor.
She ran out of the room and grabbed the next nurse she saw. “Where is my mother?”
“Oh, don’t panic please. Did Dr. Yard not tell you? Mrs. Shane had an emergency situation this morning and was brought to the ICU. If you have any questions, you can talk to Dr. Yard directly.”
Jenny started running towards James’ office, when she entered the office, she saw James sign some paperwork on the table.
The doctor next to him looked at Jenny and raised his eyebrows. “You must be Jenny? Please talk to Dr. Yard, he is signing to donate bone marrow to your mother! This is not a joke!”
“…” All the colors in Jenny’s face faded. “Donate… donate bone marrow?”
“Don’t listen to him. James threw a look towards his colleague, and pulled her out of the office. “Jenny, you mom’s condition was very unstable this morning, we had to perform emergency procedures on her. Right now she is gaining her consciousness again. Everything is gonna be alright, please do not worry.”
“What does he mean? Donate bone marrow?” Jenny immediately grabbed James’ arm. “What about me? I want to donate mine to my mom!”
“Listen to me.” James sat her down in a chair, and tried to calm her down. “It’s true, your mom does need bone marrow right now, but you are not a match. ”
“…”
“That is why I got myself tested, and my blood type is a perfect match for her!” James laughed, “Don’t look so serious, this is wonderful news! You have no idea how many patients wait years to find a match, some of them even die before they do.”
Jenny shook her head. “How can I let you donate your bone marrow…”
She and him aren’t related, he had already helped her more than she could ask for. Now he was even going to donate his bone marrow!
“It’s okay.” James rolled his eyes. “How about this. If you think you owe me, you can just marry me! That way, I am just donating to my own mother in-law. Isn’t that more than natural?”
“But…”
“There is no but. Your mothers health can’t wait for you buts. Is marrying me really so out of the box for you?” James was a little hurt. He didn’t think of himself to be as annoying.
“No, that’s not what I meant. It’s just…” Jenny tightened her fists. Only this way she can talk about her darkest secrets.
Since… James is really good to her, he should know.
“I sell my body. I am not a worthy woman, especially not worth being someone’s wife. I am telling you all this now, so you understand why I keep refusing you.”
She never intended to let anyone know about this, but, James deserves to know.
Jenny thought he would be disgusted, back away. But instead, he took her hand.
“Oh my lord, what have you been going through?”
“…”
“Why did you never tell me before? The surgery expenses of your mother are a piece of cake for me!” James immediately took out a bank card. “This is what I saved up the past few years, I give it all to you! Don’t ever let your sister play puppet with you again. Just marry me please?”
Jenny went from being surprised to being stunned. She never thought that James could accept a person like herself.
“But… I might be pregnant with my brother in-law’s child.”
“That’s not even a problem. The medical world is so developed now, an abortion is on the everyday’s menu.” James hugged her. “Marry me. I know this is not the kind of proposal a girl dreams of, but I really want to marry you. I want to be with you. I want to take care of your mom with you. If you give up this child, we can have a normal life together.”
“…”
“Move in with you mom to my house, I will cook for you three times a day, we can go for a walk whenever we have time, and take Auntie to travel together. I swear, I will never mention your past.”
Jenny bit her lips. She wasn’t even pregnant yet, but why was she already missing this child. If she really got pregnant with Harold’s child, would she abort it?
The life James was talking about was so seductive. That was exactly the life she was dreaming about. Deep in her heart she knew that if she gave up this chance, she might never find another man like James again.
“Let me think about it, okay?”
“Yes! Take your time, think about it, I am not pressuring you. No matter what, I am going to do anything in my power to help your mom. Because I would love her to join our wedding.” James took her hand. It was so cold, like ice. “Give me the rest of your life, would you? Believe me, I am sure we are going to build up a new life together, without your sister, without your father, just you, your mom, and me.”
“I…”
“Jenny, what are you still thinking about? Is it the child? Would you actually want to keep it?”