Jane Pov
"Miss Jane, you have till tomorrow to pay the deposit. Otherwise, we will be forced to release your mother".
My heart pounded against my ribs while I held onto the hospital counter's edge.
"Please, no. That is not possible! She is not in a fit state to depart."
Despite my tremulous voice and great sense of urgency, I could barely raise it above a whisper.
Barely blinking was the nurse behind the counter. "I get that, but regulations are regulations. The hospital won't be able to do her surgery if you can't pay."
I tightened my throat and swallowed hard. "How much do I need?"
"The initial surgery will cost two hundred thousand dollars. This does not include postoperative treatment".
The sum was like a slap in the face. Two hundred thousand dollars?
I could hardly afford that type of money, much less a good supper.
Helplessness clawed at me, and my fingers curled into fists.
"You don't understand," I begged. "My mom is near death. I simply need some time—"
"Time isn't something we can afford to give, Miss Jane."
The weight pushing down on my chest did not lessen even if the nurse's tone softened.
"Speak with your friends and relatives. Perhaps someone can assist".
Family?
I had a bad taste in my mouth after hearing the word. The only family I ever had was the one that abandoned me.
With my head spinning, I ran out into the hospital lobby.
The city lights flickered like far-off promises I couldn't achieve, and the night air was heavy with humidity.
With my fingers trembling over a contact I vowed never to call, I took my phone out of my bag. Mr Robert, My father.
The man who left me and my mother behind. Clare is the daughter of the man who took our place and brought another family.
The daughter he genuinely loved. With trepidation, I inhaled. There was nothing I could do.
I put the phone to my ear and tapped the screen. "Who is this?"
it asked after ringing twice. A deep, well-known voice responded. My pride was swallowed.
"It's Jane."
Quiet. Then a sour laugh. "Jane? What a surprise, my dear. To whom do I owe this enjoyment?"
I ignored the sarcasm in his voice and tightened my jaw. "I need your assistance. My mom... She is in the medical facility. I don't have the money, and she requires an urgent operation."
A pause.
"And you expect me to pay?" I pressed my fingers into my palm.
"She's dying, Dad."
"Avoid calling me that," he replied abrasively.
"When your mother left, you and she made your decision. That isn't relevant to me".
My breath caught. "You cheated on her, therefore she left. Since you left us and began a new life!"
There was a long sigh on the other end. "And yet here you are, coming to me for money."
I forced myself to swallow my pride and closed my eyes.
"Please, Robert, you are still my father and I have no one to help me".
"you should have thought about that before you left with your mother" my father's voice sent a shiver down my spine, I knew he would turn his back at me. But I have to keep begging.
"Please, Only this once. I'll do anything". Quiet.
Then he asked, "Anything?"
I felt a chill go through me.
"What do you mean?"
"Come over to my place early tomorrow. Then, we'll chat". The line died. My heart thumping against my ribs, I stood motionless.
I was uneasy about his tone for some reason. However, I had no other option. That money was necessary to me.
I muttered to myself, "Hold on, Mom," as I turned to face the hospital window where my mother was unconscious. I'll grab the cash. Whatever it takes. — I will do it
The morning arrived too soon. I pressed the doorbell while standing outside my father's opulent home with clammy hands. The door was opened by a butler.
"Mr. Robert is expecting you."With a knotted stomach, I followed him inside.
Despite the fact that Mom and I lived in a damp apartment, the house smelled of fine wood and perfume. My father was drinking whiskey in a leather chair when I entered the opulent sitting room.
On the other side of him, my step-sister Clare was smirking and relaxing.
Clare smiled and twirled a lock of her flawless golden hair. Her words were, "Well, well,"
"Look who finally came crawling back." I looked straight at my father, ignoring her.
"You promised to talk to me".
"Games are not something I have time for" Pushing past the lump in my throat, I swallowed. "I need your help."
Leaning back, he pretended to be interested. "Aid? Years ago, you and your mother left my life. Why should I assist you right now?"
"She's in the hospital," I responded, my voice breaking. "She requires surgery. I'm short on funds."
His face was unreadable as he looked at me for a long time.
With a groan, he got up and moved toward the large window overlooking the field.
He thought, "You reached me now, after all these years," "What makes you think I owe you anything?"
"You don't," I replied.
"However, she's fading away, and you're the only person who can help."
He looked at me and his lips formed a frown.
"And what do I get in return?" I tensed up. "I—I have nothing to offer. I simply..."
"You have yourself."
I felt nauseous.
"What?"
He walked back to his seat and drew out the paper from a cupboard. "There's a method by which you can generate the cash you desire, Jane."
He moved the papers in my direction across the desk. "Marry Andrew Jackson." My breath caught.
"What?"
He remarked nonchalantly, "He was supposed to marry Clare, however, she declined to carry it out. Our families have a long-standing commercial relationship, and Andrew is a strong man. I cannot afford to lose that relationship".
I looked at him horrified. "You want me to take Clare's place?"
"You require funds and I need a daughter to marry Andrew. It is a fair trade."
"That's not a trade," I stammered out. "That's selling me off like property."
He took a swig of his whiskey, unfazed. "Call it whatever you want.
The deal is still in effect. I'll pay for your mother's operation if you marry Andrew."
I took a step back and shook my head. "No. There must be an alternative".
"There isn't." His voice was decisive. "Jane, here's the deal. You must make a decision by tomorrow".
I felt as if the buildings had come crashing in on me. "Currently, if you'll leave me," he said and returned to his position. "I have other obligations that I need to attend to today."
I turned and hurried out of the study, tears burning behind my eyes.
I ran into someone as soon as I entered the street.
"Watch where you're going," said a familiar, poisoned, mocking voice.
When I looked up, I saw Clare standing there with a frown on her lips and her arms crossed over her lavish dress
Her cooed was sarcastic. "You poor thing," she said. "Did Daddy just tell you the good news?"
I balled my fists up. "You knew about this?"
"Of course I did," she replied, flipping her exquisite blond hair around her shoulder.
"I can't stand Andrew. I had no intention of marrying him. However, you?" Her eyes shone brightly. "You're the perfect replacement."
I suppressed the anger that was building within me. "You think this is funny?"
She lowered her voice and leaned closer. "I think it's fate."
I shook my head and pushed by her, walking to the exit with my legs working by themselves.
Outside, I sucked in deep, shuddering breaths.
I had hoped for assistance when I came here. I had been given a nightmare.Instead, I have to make a decision by tomorrow.
And I was doomed regardless of my decision.
My mother's weak hand was resting in mine as I sat next to her hospital bed that evening.
She had a pale complexion and shallow respiration. I mumbled, "I don't know what to do, Mom," as tears poured down my cheeks.
She didn't answer.
She was unable to. I closed my eyes tightly.
I was pressed for time. No choices.
And to preserve her life in the morning, I would have to sell my soul.