Chapter 1:The sacrifice

Clara’s POV

As I went into Lily's room, the hospital's frigid, clean air burned my nose. The monitors' continuous beeping created a false sense of security, hiding her delicate condition. Watching my little sister, her pale face nearly disappearing into the white blankets hurt. I could not lose the only family I had left.

Dr. Matthews stood grimly at the foot of her bed. His voice laden with grief, he said, "Clara, I wish I had better news." Lily requires surgery right now. Her only chance is this, but it will be expensive—far more than insurance will pay.

"How much?," I managed to choke out, just above a whisper.

"Two hundred thousand dollars," he said, glumly sympathetic eyes.

I felt the count like a sledgehammer. Where did I expect to come across such a kind of money? My head spun in quest of answers, but all I saw were dead ends.

Dr. Matthews laid a consoling hand on my shoulder. "We have to act quickly; I realize it's a lot. I apologize, Clara.

I slumped onto the chair next Lily's bed as he went, completely demoralized. Her skin was chilly to the touch, so I grasped her hand in mine. More to persuade myself than Lily, I murmured, "I'll find a way, Lily." "I swear."

The next three days blur with desperation. Although I maxed out credit cards, made calls to friends, and even thought about selling my car, it was not nearly sufficient. Time was running out as well as my choices.

That's when I heard a discussion in the diner I worked in. Two regular customers were discussing a downtown high-end nightclub that paid top dollar for one-night events. Though I was running out of options, it was not the scene I wanted.

The club was known as "Eclipse," a posh venue renowned for its rich customer base and grandiose productions. Although the thought of playing there scared me, losing Lily was harder. I plucked the bravery to phone.

Victor, the slick-talking club manager, didn't probe many issues. He seemed to be more drawn to my desperation. "We have an opening Friday," he remarked. "Although the money is decent, this is a masquerade performance. The clients prefer to be anonymous.

I agreed right away without thinking. Friday night arrived fast, and before I knew it I was standing backstage at Eclipse, clad in a revealing costume and a black mask half my face. As I watched for my signal, my heart hammered in my chest.

Soft, sensual lighting enveloped the stage as I left, the eyes of the patrons tracking every action. Trying to forget where I was and why I was doing this, I turned my attention to the music. The performance passed in a haze, my head disconnected from my body.

I rushed off stage as the song stopped, trying to vanish into the darkness. But Victor cut me off, grinning broadly. You did well, he remarked, passing me an envelope. Still, someone wants to meet you.

He got me to a private room before I could object. Inside stood a towering man with sculpted jaws and piercing blue eyes. He seemed out of place in the club, his fitted outfit a sharp contrast to the flimsy surroundings. This was Ethan Sinclair, the millionaire well-known for his austere business methods and explosive personal life.

"Clara, is it? With a smooth and strong voice, he said.

I nodded, dry in the throat. Absolutely, Mr. Sinclair.

"I won't waste your time," he said, staring squarely ahead. "Based on your performance, You need money; I need... a diversion.

His comments made me shiver down my back. "What type of distraction?"

He moved forward, his presence overpowering. " One evening. None of names, none of strings. I will pay you sufficient to cover your sister's operation in return.

My head whirling, I fixed on him. Though Lily's life hung precariously, it was a Faustian deal. I couldn't afford to let fear or pride control me. Alright, I said, my voice hardly audible. "one evening."

He nodded, glad. Excellent. My hotel tomorrow evening. I'll have the cash on hand.

Twenty-24 hours later was a swirl of nervousness and getting ready. I stayed with Lily all day trying to reassure her and myself that everything would be fine. I headed to the opulent penthouse in the middle of the city, the spot Ethan had as night fell.

Ethan was waiting for me; his manner was as calm as always. "Relax," he advised, seeing my anxiety. This is only business.

But it went beyond business to me. Desperate, it was a last-ditch attempt to preserve my sister's life. I followed him into the suite, pushing aside my worries.

The evening passed as a haze of contradictory feelings. Ethan was shockingly soft; his touch was both exciting and terrible. I let myself momentarily lose myself in the illusion of intimacy, let the events that had brought me here fade.

Ethan wrote me a check when it was finished. For your sister, he said simply.

I said, "Thank you," grasping the check as though it were a lifeline. His voice halted me as I turned to head off.

"Clara," he spoke gently. "I meant what I had said. Not strings. But should you ever need anything?

Not sure what to say, I nodded. The weight of the evening sank over me as I left the penthouse. Though at what expense, I had done what I had to do?

Relief washed over me as I handed Dr. Matthews the check back at the hospital; he told me Lily would be ready for surgery right away. Exhaustion dragging at my eyelids, I sat by her bedside but I couldn't relax. My head was a tempest of hope, terror, and guilt.

I experienced a helplessness I had not known till the next morning Lily was being wheeled into surgery. I had crossed a line, given up a piece of myself for her, and there was no turning back.

Dr. Matthews returned from the operation room hours later, his face incomprehensible. As I watched for his decision, my heart hammered in my chest.

"She's stable," he replied at last, a small smile breaking through his business manner. "The surgery went off without a hitch."

I fell into a chair and tears of relief poured down my face. Lily was going to be good. I had done as advised, and it had paid off.

But a fresh awareness crept on me as the first relief waned. I could not readily forget my meeting with Ethan Sinclair. It was a shadow reminding me of the distances I would go to for people I loved.

And deep down I knew this was only the starting point.