Chapter 4 Lily's pov

It had been a year-twelve long, agonizing months -- since my mother began her cycle of hospital visits. In and out, one sickness after another. Some whispered she had been cursed. Others said it was karma, that the work of her hands was fighting back, punishing her for past sins.

I sat quietly beside her hospital bed, watching the rise and fall of her weak chest. Her skin looked pale, almost translucent, her eyes dull and tired. I could still remember how she used to talk about my father with longing. I remembered the way she told me she loved me. Her smile, every time she left the house to meet a client, still lingered in my memory.

And I remembered the night I rushed into this hospital.

The scent of antiseptic and fear hit me the moment I stepped through the entrance. I was panting, my chest tight, my heart slamming violently against my ribs. The nurse at the reception desk looked up, startled.

"Mrs. Diana Seren," I managed to say, breathlessly. "She was brought in... she fainted."

I didn't wait for instructions. I ran-ward C, room 208, second floor, left wing. My hands trembled as I reached for the doorknob. My legs barely held me up.

There she was.

My mother. Lying on the bed, pale and fragile. Tubes in her arms. An oxygen mask over her face. The machines around her beeped steadily, each sound reminding me that time was running out.

I couldn't speak. My throat locked. I hiccupped and tears began to fall-hot and helpless. Then the doctor stepped in.

"She fainted due to extreme exhaustion and malnutrition," he explained gently. "But there's more. She's been ignoring some serious symptoms. We ran a few tests. Her kidneys are failing. And... we found a tumor in her lungs."

I froze. "No. No, that -- that can't be right."

"It's stage three, Miss Serena. She's been pushing herself far too hard. I don't know what she's involved in, but it's killing her. Her immunity is weak, and her body is shutting down."

"Will she be cured?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper.

"There's a chance. But we have to act quickly. She'll need surgery, aggressive treatment, and... prayers."

"How much?" I asked, though a part of me didn't want to know.

The doctor handed me the bill.

My mouth dropped open. My fingers trembled as I held the paper. My knees wobbled. I took two steps back unconsciously, dizzy. My heart pounded so hard it echoed in my ears. My legs felt hollow. One hundred million dollars.

One hundred million.

It was ten times more than what my mother and I had ever seen. My lips parted, but no words came out. My hands began to shake uncontrollably. It felt like my bones were melting. My feet were no longer mine.

A nurse tapped my shoulder.

"Lily? Lily, are you okay? I've been calling your name."

I blinked and forced a weak smile. "Yes... yes, I'm fine."

"You know you're the only one your mom has," the nurse said gently, then her tone changed. "But her hospital bills are overdue, two months behind. If it's not paid soon, we may have no choice but to stop her treatment."

She left with a polite smile, but her words had sliced through my heart like a blade.

I sank back into the chair. My mom opened her eyes and asked softly, "What did the doctor say?"

"They said... They said your hospital bills are overdue. They need the payment by the end of the month."

She sighed. "So what do we do now, Lily?"

"I don't know, Mom. I'm confused. I'm frustrated."

"What about my friends?"

"No, Mom. Your friends aren't helping. Sister Natalie only gave a little money. The rest said they don't have anything, making excuses... and some even told me to use my body to get money. They gave me numbers, men who could 'help.'"

I swallowed hard, my chest rising and falling with suppressed rage.

"Our neighbors... They never liked us. They say horrible things, Mom. They say your past is hunting you, and now it's pouncing back. They laugh at us."

I exhaled shakily. That rant had been building for weeks.

My mother reached for my hand, her eyes wet with tears. "I'm sorry, Lily. I'm so sorry."

She broke down. And so did I.

We cried together, long, bitter tears. No nurses came. No doctors interrupted. It was just us and our sorrow.

Later, I helped her eat and take her medicine. Then I stood up.

"Where are you going again?" she asked, already guessing the answer.

"To look for a job."

"But you were out all day yesterday. You didn't say anything when you came back."

"Because I didn't get anything, Mom. I searched everywhere. I even quit the waitress job I had. The owner's son kept harassing me. Then the beverage shop said they didn't need help anymore."

I visited three different restaurants today. Rejected at each one, none of them hire me."

Just as I stepped out of the last one, ready to give up, a voice called behind me.

"Hey, you there."

I turned. A man in a crisp shirt and blue trousers stood by the entrance.

"Good afternoon, sir," I said, lowering my gaze respectfully.

"How are you, young lady? I have a job offer for you."

My body stiffened. "If it's prostitution, I'm not interested."

He laughed. "No, no. It's nothing like that. I work with Kingsley Empire. They're hiring maids. It pays well much better than a waitress job. You should apply."

Kingsley Empire. I'd heard of them... vaguely. A massive, powerful empire.

"Where is it?" I asked cautiously.

He handed me a paper. "The address, interview date, and my number are all on there. It's competitive, so dress well and be confident."

For the first time in a while, a tiny spark of hope lit in my chest. "Thank you, sir. Thank you so much."

When I got back to the hospital and told my mom, she held my hands and prayed.

"I pray this is the breakthrough we need, my daughter. May God bless you and show you mercy."

"Amen," I whispered, fighting the tears again. This time, I pray I get employed so I can pay your bills and get you healed.

She smiled at me. It wasn't her usual smile ,it was tired, but full of love. I smiled back, and for a second, we forgot the pain.

But the moment didn't last.

My mom's phone rang. I picked it up.

"Serena, won't you come pack your loads? You're blocking the road. Or should we burn your things?"

"Excuse me, who is this?"

"It's your neighbor. Your landlord has thrown your things out. With all the dirty work you do, you still can't pay rent? Shameless."

The line went dead.

A cold wave of fear surged through me. My chest tightened again.

"What happened, Lily?" Mom asked quickly.

I swallowed hard. "The landlord threw out our things. He said the rent is overdue. Five months now. Someone else wants to rent the place."

"But wait mom, Didn't he send a message?"

I checked . He had. cold, cruel words.

He did.

"I'll pack your things out. Five months due. Someone else is ready to pay. I've finally sent the family of whores out of my house. I don't want bad luck."

My mom let out a scream so loud until she clutched her stomach in pain "How dare he say that ?"

"Mom! Careful!" I rushed to her side. "You know you're not well. Please. No more health issues."

"I'll go pack our things. I'll take them to Daniel's place. He'll help."

*Daniel was her new friend, our new neighbor, and the man my mom was spending time with when I was being assaulted*

"Yes, call him. Let him know."

I left the hospital and got a taxi. On the ride, I stared out the window as the city blurred by.

Is this life really worth living?

Maybe death would be easier. Maybe silence would be better than this noise, this pain. I'm just nineteen. And yet I've faced so much. Too much.

And I know this is only the beginning of my misery.