Jenny arrived happily at the hospital, as soon as she entered she already saw James. He was just talking to a nurse when he saw her and started walking towards her. His lips formed a smile. Any other person would have thought that they are a couple.
“Is Mom a bit better?”
“She is stable now, we can go into surgery any minute.” James laughed, “Don’t you worry, as long as I am here, nothing will happen to your mom.”
Jenny nodded. It’s only because of James that she can stop her worries, and go back to the Andrews’ house.
“Thank you again.”
“Can you stop being so modest with me?” James patted her gently on the forehead, “Your business is my business. Being your this is the only thing I can help you with, I am even feeling a bit guilty because of that.”
Seeing James like that, Jenny didn’t know what to say anymore. He knew about her secrets, but still…
“Oh, by the way, look at this.” James took out a notebook. On it were a bunch of phone numbers with notes beside them, 60m2, 75m2 and so on.
“What is this?”
“I found some apartments for you! Which one do you like?” James face lit up in a smile, he explained seriously, “These are all around the hospital, if you wanna come to visit your mom, it will be very convenient. Plus there are supermarkets around, and malls, and the rent is not too high as well.”
“But I already have a place to live!”
“I know, but I think you should move out of there.” James looked at her with a serious face. “Don’t live there anymore, the Andrews’ house is nothing for you. All they do is mock you, they have never looked at you like their family member. I don’t want you to go back there.”
Jenny had already guessed that this might be the reason James found her another apartment. But…
“It’s not as easy as you think.”
“What’s so hard then? As long as you want to move out, nothing can stop you! Unless… unless you still want to carry a child for your sister?” James looked at her, “Don’t be stupid, you are still young, don’t throw away your life for something like this.”
“I…”
“You should know that as soon as you have this child, you will never be able to get away from them. Don’t think that you can run away after having this kid, that’s not possible. The child will ruin your life.” James took her by the shoulders and shook her. “Think about it! Don’t ruin yourself!”
Jenny bit her lips.
“I already took Torah’s money…” She has spent every cent of it, and she has given her virginity to Harold. She has already ruined herself. Only if she can give Torah a child, she will be able to leave the Andrews’ family and take her mother and go as far as only possible.
“You can still give her back! I got money, just take it and give your sister!” James took out his bank card and put it in Jenny’s hand, “I got nothing else, but money, everything I saved the past years!”
Jenny shook her head. “No, I can’t take your money! You have done so much for this money, all your night shifts and extra hours, I cannot take this.”
“Who said that? You are the only person I would ever allow to spend my money. After so many years, I have never laid my eyes on another woman than you! Ever since we were in school, I never forgot about you! You haven’t agreed to my proposal, and we have even grown apart for a few years, but I never gave up on you, never! When I saw you again, my heart was pounding like before!”
“…”
James’ voice was to be heard by people around, some of the nurses even started staring at them, so Jenny quickly took James’ hand and pulled him to the side. She didn’t want to be gossiped about.
“James, I am not worthy of your love! I got nothing except for a sick mother, not even my virginity.” She closed her eyes, “I know you just want to treat me well, you would do anything for me, but I cannot accept it, if I would, it would ruin you.”
She would, and she had a sick mother to take care of. She didn’t know when she would recover, or if she would recover at all. Even if she said yes, and James agreed to marry her, what about James’ parents? They would never. Everyone would think that she is only with him for his money, that she is a gold digger, and that she’s setting a trap for James. This would ruin James’ name forever.
“I don’t see it that way. I only want you to accept my love, only that would make me happy.” James had said that uncountable times already. Even in school he tried to spend some alone time with Jenny. And when he found out that her mother was sick, he was kind of happy about that. Because that made Jenny come to him and ask him for help. His good times are coming, he only needed to cure her mother, and move her with his actions.
But on the contrary, she tried to deny his love. Even his help.
“James, please calm down. This is not the place to talk about that.” Jenny backed away a few steps, “I would like to see Mom now, can you take me to her please?”
He stood behind her, his fists clenched. “Just tell me the truth, why don’t you want to leave the Andrews’?”
“…”
“Your sister treats you like shit, your father doesn’t even want to have you as his daughter, that’s what you told me! But why do you still want to go back to them?”
Jenny didn’t dare to look at his eyes, so she stared at the floor.
“There is only one possible answer.”
“…”
“You are in love with that Harold?”
Jenny’s body went stiff, as if hit by lightening.
“You love that man, don’t you, is that why you want to have a child for him?”
“I don’t…”
“Then tell me why?” James grabbed her hand, “What you have told me are no excuses to stay with them. The money, that you can’t leave, that’s all not true! If you don’t want to accept me, you can tell me right now! But please just don’t throw your life away! It hurts me so much!”