Lilith
I arrived at the hospital with some gifts and cards that I got for my mum and sister.
With a heart heavy with expectations, I pushed the door open to see my mum lying quietly on the bed.
The air was heavy with silence, except for the beeping of the machines that surrounded her in order to keep her alive.
I wiped the tears that dropped down my eyes as I didn’t want her to see how weak I was.
I had to be strong for them.
“Mum,” I called gently, tapping her shoulder lightly.
Her dull eyes parted, and a forced smile crossed her pale face.
“You came,” she breathed, adjusting herself on the bed before her hands ran down my body.
“I learned you got a new job, and I’m sorry if I’m inconveniencing you. I couldn’t stop thinking about you. That was the reason I requested your presence.”
“It’s okay, Mum, you are not inconveniencing me. I missed you too.”
It didn’t take long before she became chatty again. Though I didn’t want to take on the conversation, I was scared that it would be the last time we would discuss it.
Despite knowing she would beat cancer, a part of me was not sure she would make it.
Sometimes, I wish she could live with me at the estate, but I didn’t want to risk my job.
“You should check on Rose. She is dying to meet you,” she said before placing a kiss on my head.
“Lastly, Lily, be careful and mindful of strangers. Not everyone likes you. And always be yourself.”
I cocked my brow, looking at her in a confused manner as I tried to grasp the reason she uttered those words.
It was true. Not everyone liked me. Take Beta Raphael, for example.
“Yes, mum,” I replied, before squeezing her gently in a bear hug.
I left her ward, dashing into Rose’s ward. I stopped to check the time as Alpha Casper’s words rang continuously in my head.
It wouldn’t hurt to obey him for the first time.
“Lily!” Rose screamed weakly, almost jumping off the bed when I walked in.
“Why did you take so long? Take me away from here. I hate this place!”
*****
I spent the next few hours pacifying Rose and giving her a thousand reasons why she should use her drugs consistently.
She was so clingy. She only allowed me to leave after telling her how displeased Alpha Casper would be if I overstayed.
I slid into the doctor’s office with my heart pounding hard against my ribs.
I hated going there. It reminded me of unsettled debts that I had to pay.
“Good afternoon, sir.”
“Miss Parker.” He greeted, briefly lifting his eyes to meet mine before resuming signing some documents. “Have your seat. How are you doing?”
I sighed, my face dropping in sadness as I didn’t know how to reply to the question.
“That’s okay. I know how you feel.”
No, you don’t! I almost screamed in his face.
“Hope you came with the balance?” He said, signing on a paper before putting it in between a file.
“What balance?” I asked. My heart skipped, and my face was masked in confusion.
He must be joking.
“I paid the $1. 7k you asked me to.” I tried explaining to jog his memory.
He shouldn’t expect any balance because I was dead broke.
“Let me refresh your memory, Miss. The last time you came to the hospital, I mentioned that you needed to deposit a large amount of money, but then you asked how much for a start because you didn’t have the large amount I asked. Then I said $1. 7k for a start.”
Shit!
He was right after all.
“We need to continue chemotherapy. Treating cancer consumes a lot of money, now including your mum’s kidney issues.”
“I understand, doctor,” I whispered as my voice came out cracked.
It was only a matter of time before I broke down in tears.
My mind was already far away from him. All I thought of was how to get the money to commence mum’s treatment.
I couldn’t ask Alpha Casper, not after the gift. I didn’t want to be a burden to him.
But there was nowhere else I could get the money.
Daphne had done more than enough, and it would be selfish to keep asking her for money.
My head started to hurt as a result of overthinking, and sweat broke out on my forehead.
Dad wasn’t an option. He already made it clear that we were dead to him.
Going to him was like making a fool of myself, especially in the presence of his mistress and her daughter.
“Miss Parker…”
I jolted from my deep reverie, focusing my attention on the doctor.
“Are you okay? You seem lost in thoughts?” He commented, examining me before proceeding with his words.
“We need roughly $4k for the treatment of your mum and sister.” He had barely stopped talking when I screamed in shock.
“How do you expect me to get $5k? It was a miracle I gave you $1. 7k…”
“I am not asking you to deposit it now. You have within the space of 2 weeks.”
“1 year of my salary can’t get me that amount. I’m just a maid. Please, are there any other options?”
“I’m sorry, Miss Lilith. Once the deadline reaches, your sister and mother will be discharged.”
“Please, don’t discharge them. They are not fully recovered.” I cried, hoping he would change his mind. “I can’t take care of them at home, and I can’t take them to work. I will be fired. Please help me.”
“Have you considered selling your eggs? A lot of ladies do it.” He announced. I stopped crying, focusing my attention on him to digest his words.
“You could make some money off selling your eggs. You can add that money plus your salary to pay in installments.” He explained, and I shook my head vehemently.
“I don’t know what that means, but I’m not selling my eggs.” I disagreed.
It sounded dangerous to me.
“Are there any other options, doctor?” I breathed, afraid that I was already pissing him off.
He tore his eyes off me, and his lips formed a thin line as he got busy with his computer.
His anger seeped out of him, but he was fighting to contain it.
“There is this couple looking for a surrogate mother to bear their child. The pay is very good.” He said, lifting his eyes to meet my worried ones before he scowled inwardly.
“I don’t think I can give up a child that I carried for months. I will be attached because the baby would share a part of me. I don’t think I can do that, sorry.” I refuse politely, waiting for him to spill other options.
“Please, Doctor. I will do anything this time,” I implored, clasping my hands together in desperation.
Anxiety got the best of me as I couldn’t contain myself on the seat.
Wasn’t there an easy option other than me sacrificing a huge part of myself because of money?
He groaned, his fingers digging deeper into the keys on his computer as if transferring the aggression to it.
He cleared his throat, raising his eyes to meet my anxious ones before parting his lips.
“This last one is supposed to be confidential. I’m only revealing this because you desperately need the money-”
“Thank you,” I cut him anxiously, exchanging a nervous smile as anxiety ate me up from within.
“Will you be willing to have sex with a man in a vegetative condition? He needs an heir before he dies, and he is willing to pay $30000. After the child is born, you will be paid $20000.”
Think about this, Lilith. The initial deposit is $15000 after you’ve signed the agreement form. This is the highest of all offers that I’ve received and you are the best fit within the description. With this money, you will be able to clear off the debts, get the best treatment for your mother and your sister, and live a better life. You don’t have to be a maid anymore,” he advised, his curious eyes fixed on my twitching ones as if persuading me.
The offer was fucking tempting. All that kept ringing in my ears was the huge amount of money that I would be paid.
But then, how would I break the news to Alpha Casper?
“Do you accept this offer, Miss Parker? Your mother and your sister’s lives are counting on this.”