Chapter 2

For some reason, Bertha's words became clearer and clearer in my mind, and with each passing moment, I felt myself growing more calm and composed.

I felt no anger, no pain. I simply quietly accepted the truth.

Not wanting to get caught up in this mess any longer, I ignored Darren's words and turned away.

Darren looked pissed. He came after me, blocking my path, his eyes full of mockery. "So you just leave when you don't get the cash? Looks like you know exactly what you want."

Honestly, there was nothing to say to someone like him, someone who never had to worry about cash or affection.

I pushed past him and kept walking.

Fiona couldn't help but feel sorry. She jogged over and asked, "What do you need the money for?"

She had been investigating me all this time. No way she didn't know exactly what I needed it for.

"You've spent years dirt poor, and now you find out your parents are loaded so you're here to grab a payday? First it's 150 thousand dollars, then 300 thousand dollars, playing the pity card to squeeze more out of them. People like you are a dime a dozen," Darren sneered.

Darren kept running his mouth, throwing shade at me.

To him, I was just another money-grubbing gold-digger.

Fiona gave me a hard look, clearly siding with Darren. She demanded, "Aren't you going to say anything? Is Darren really right about you?"

I understood then why they'd known about me all this time but never bothered to bring me home. They thought I'd spent too many years living at rock bottom, picking up all sorts of bad habits. They thought I was greedy, crude, and not someone they'd want around.

Because of their own bias, they'd never treat me like I was one of them.

I gave her a polite smile, keeping my tone cold. "Mrs. Fleming, sorry for bothering you today. Just act like I never showed up. I won't be coming back here. This was on me. I'm truly sorry."

With those words, I picked up my pace and left.

The three of them just stood there, stunned.

I didn't look back.

*****

Halfway to the hospital, my phone rang. It was the doctor. Grandma's condition had suddenly gotten worse, and she needed emergency surgery, fast.

I hit up everyone I could think of for cash, and barely managed to pull together enough to cover the surgery.

When Grandma finally came out of the operating room, I nearly collapsed. The doctor had to help me stay on my feet.

The doctor said, "The surgery went well. She should be stable for a while, but I recommend conservative treatment. The ongoing medical bills are just too much for you to handle."

Even if we kept going with surgeries and Grandma managed to pull through each time, she couldn't stick around for long anyway.

But if we went with conservative treatment, at best, she'd have two months left.

The first option would bleed me dry. There was no way I could ever afford it.

The second option would take guts. I just couldn't make up my mind.

That night, the first thing Grandma said when she woke up was, "Let's go home."

I shook my head.

She insisted, "Sweetheart, let's go home. Grandma's done with the treatments now."

Grandma was looking much better, speaking more clearly now, but I knew deep down she just didn't want to be a burden to me. That was why she wanted to go home.

I still shook my head.

Grandma held my hand, tears streaming down her face. "Be good. Listen to me. Let's go home."

I shook my head again and said, "Grandma, don't worry about the medical bills. Dad's already wired me 30 thousand dollars. Money's not a problem anymore. All you need to do is get well."

Grandma's tired, misty eyes locked onto me, and I awkwardly turned away, acting like I was busy.

She let out a sigh. "It's all my fault. I'm just useless."

She could see right through my lie, but she didn't call me out on it.

Later that night, I was moving heavy boxes at the logistics company when I suddenly threw my back out.

A bad feeling hit me.

Ignoring the pain in my back, I quickly pulled out my phone.

Just then, my phone rang. It was the hospital nurse. "You need to get here right now. Your grandma jumped off the building."

It was like my brain exploded. Everything went blank.

By the time I got to the hospital, Grandma had already been taken to the morgue.

According to the nurse, after she finished tending to Grandma, Grandma asked about the medical bills. The nurse gave a gentle lie and told her everything was paid up.

Grandma gave a soft smile and said, "She's a good child."

But less than half an hour later, there was a crash from downstairs. Someone had jumped off the building.

I barely remember how I got through that night. My body just moved on its own, running on pure adrenaline while my mind was totally numb.

The next day, Grandma's body was cremated.

The nurse came by and handed me Grandma's things.