Lily’ s medical bills were mountains I couldn’ t climb.
The latest one sat on my worn kitchen table, a stark white reminder of my
failure.
She needed this next round of experimental treatment, the doctors said it was
her best chance.
But the cost was astronomical.
I saw an advertisement tucked away in the free local paper.
“Participants Needed for High-Risk Medical Research Study. Generous
Compensation.”
High-risk.
The words echoed in my mind.
But the payout listed… it was exactly what I needed for Lily.
Exactly.
I called the number.
I went to the clinic.
I signed the consent forms.
The doctor, a tired-looking man, explained the potential severe side eects.
Organ damage.
Neurological issues.
Even death.
I nodded, my hand surprisingly steady as I signed my name.
Sarah Miller.
For Lily. Anything for Lily.
The catering manager found me after the gala.
“Mr. Hayes was very clear,
” he said, avoiding my eyes. “You’re fired.”
I didn’t argue.
What was the point?
Ethan’ s friend, a smirking man I vaguely remembered from college, walked
past.
He looked me up and down.
“Still falling on your face, Miller?” he sneered.
Ethan stood nearby, talking to Olivia.
He glanced over, his expression cold, distant.
He confirmed his order to the manager.
“She’s a liability. Get rid of her.”
I couldn’t lose this. Even the few hours a week mattered.
I approached Ethan. Olivia was clinging to his arm, looking frail and lovely.
“Mr. Hayes, please,
” I begged, my voice low. “I need this job. Desperately.”
Ethan looked at me then, truly looked at me.
No recognition. Just disdain.
A cruel glint appeared in his eyes.
“The catering job is gone,
” he said, his voice flat.
He paused.
“However, Olivia needs a dedicated personal assistant. A carer. Her health is
very delicate post-coma.”
He looked at Olivia, his expression softening instantly.
“The pay is… substantial. It would cover your needs, I imagine.”
He pulled out a sleek business card.
“Think about it.”
He didn’t wait for an answer. He turned back to Olivia.
Humiliation washed over me. Again.
He knew. He had to know I was desperate.
I went to the hospital.
Lily was asleep, her small face pale against the white pillow.
Her favorite teddy bear was tucked beside her.
A little girl in the next bed, her head bald from chemo, was drawing.
Lily stirred.
“Mommy?”
“I’m here, sweetie.”
She smiled, a weak but precious smile.
“Mommy, Emily in the next room, her mommy said she went to heaven.”
My heart clenched.
“She said it’s nice there. And she doesn’t have to have needles anymore.”
Lily’ s eyes, too old for her five years, looked into mine.
“If I go to heaven, Mommy, you won’t have to work so hard. You won’t be sad
about money.”
Tears pricked my eyes.
I hugged her tiny, fragile body.
“Don’t say that, Lily. You’re not going anywhere. Mommy will make sure of
it.”
Her words, so innocent, so heartbreaking, solidified my resolve.
I pulled out Ethan’ s card.
My fingers trembled as I dialed his number.
“Mr. Hayes,
” I said, my voice hollow. “I’ll take the job.”
The next day, I stood outside Ethan’s penthouse apartment.
The doorman announced me.
The elevator ascended silently, smoothly, to a world of unimaginable luxury.
Ethan opened the door.
He was dressed casually, but still exuded power.
Olivia was on the sofa, wrapped in a cashmere blanket.
She looked up, a small, sweet smile on her face.
“Sarah, so glad you could make it,
” she said, her voice soft, almost childlike.
Ethan put his arm around her.
“Sarah will be taking care of you, my love,
” he said to Olivia. “You just focus
on getting stronger.”
He looked at me.
“Your duties are simple. Attend to Ms. Vance’s every need. Medication
reminders, companionship, light assistance. Be discreet. Be ecient.”
His eyes were unreadable.
He kissed Olivia’ s forehead.
“I have to go to the oce. Be good, both of you.”
The door clicked shut behind him.
Olivia’ s sweet smile vanished.
Her eyes hardened.
She stood up, the blanket falling away. She looked stronger than she had
pretended.
She walked towards me.
And slapped me.
Hard.
Across the face.
The sting was sharp, shocking.
“Welcome to hell, Sarah,” she said, her voice no longer soft. It was laced with
venom