Chapter 1
Cayson Lawrence handed me his medical records, looking a bit desperate. He got a heart condition. The surgery was set for the end of the month, but he was short 100 thousand dollars.
I sold the gold bracelet my mom left me and started working as a singer at Cloudstage club, singing every night.
I sang from dusk till dawn.
Even when some drunk guests tossed their glasses near my feet, I just kept singing.
One night, the manager told me I could sing in the top-floor private room, where the tips were way better.
I jumped at the chance, but when I pushed the door open, I spotted Cayson through the thick haze of smoke.
He was sitting right in the middle, his arm draped around a woman's waist.
When he saw me, his smile froze.
He frowned and asked, "What are you doing here?"
I gripped the microphone, my throat tight as I barely managed to squeeze out a few words.
"I'm here to make the money you need for your surgery!"
The whole room burst out laughing.
Alisha Carter looked up from his arms, her eyes sparkling with amusement as she glanced at me.
Alisha said with a sly grin, clearly enjoying the moment, "So, you're Mrs. Lawrence.
"Cayson, didn't you say you two had split up?
"He said you can't live without him, and since you've got nothing else going for you, you're just scraping by singing for scraps."
She walked right up to me, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Every dollar you sent him these past two months? I've got it all.
"I spent it on prenatal pills and a tiny gold necklace for our baby."
My fingers slowly loosened their grip on the microphone.
The mic hung at my side, crackling with static.
I forced a smile.
I lifted the microphone again, locking eyes with Cayson.
"Mr. Lawrence, don't forget to settle the bill tonight!"
The manager stood by the door, his face flushing and paling in turns.
The guests in the top-floor private room were all either filthy rich or big shots.
No one dared to say a word.
But Alisha just smiled.
She hooked her arm around Cayson's, tracing his watch with her fingertips.
That was the watch I gave him for his birthday last year.
I spent three months doing commercial voiceovers, until my voice was shot, just so I could afford it for him.
Alisha said, "How about something celebratory? Today's the day I landed my gallery contract."
People in the room started egging me on, calling for a song to celebrate.
They kept calling me Mrs. Lawrence in a syrupy, mocking tone.
Cayson finally stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray.
"Isabella, don't make a scene here," he said.
I lowered my head and adjusted the microphone cord.
I said, "I'm not making a scene.
"I'm just here for my paycheck."