Helpless

Fifteen years later 

Mia's POV 

"Miss Mia. You need to come up with half a million dollars for the surgery if you want to save your mother. Otherwise, we'll have to discharge her" the doctor said, his words struck me like a thunder slap, his tone laced with both pity and finality.

Half a million dollars. I stared at him, the enormity of the number turning my thoughts to static. I wanted to scream, laugh and cry all at once. Half a million dollars. Where am I supposed to get that? Even if I sold everything we owned, it wouldn’t even come close to that amount.

“Doctor... please.” my voice trembled as I fought hard to suppress my tears. “Can you start the treatment? I’ll get the money. I promise I will," I pleaded desperately. My heart clung to the tiniest bit of hope even though I knew luck wouldn't be on my side.

The doctor shook his head sadly, shoving his hands into the deep pockets of his white coat. His expression softened, but the reality was unmoving. “I’m sorry, Mia. There’s nothing I can do without the funds. I truly wish I could help.”

Without waiting for me to respond, he turned and walked away, leaving me frozen in the cold hospital hallway. Slowly, my legs grew weak and I sank onto the nearest bench. With her face buried in my hands, tears slid down my cheek.

Who could I turn to? Who would listen? The answer was stark—no one. Absolutely, no one.

I'm the only child of my mother and I had always felt like it was just the two of us against the world. Mother had raised me single-handedly after she had me in a fleeting one-night stand with a stranger. Mother had given up everything for me. Now, that same woman lay feeble and helpless in a hospital bed, fighting for her life.

I pushed myself to stand and staggered to my mother’s ward, my body trembling. I paused in the doorway, gripping the frame for support. Mother’s face was ghostly, her skin strained, barely holding her bones together. An oxygen tube wrapped around her nose, but even with assistance, every shallow rise and fall of her chest seemed difficult.

Tears obscured my vision as I walked closer. The woman who had sacrificed everything for me didn't deserve this. “I’ll save you, Mama,” I whispered, my voice breaking. “I’ll get the money. Somehow.”

Although I didn't know how, I will try.

Leaving the ward, I flagged down a taxi. One name echoed in my mind—a name I hated to think of. But I had no choice. I was out of options.

Lucas.

“Mia, you didn’t show up at work today,” Lucas sneered immediately I stepped into his office. He leaned back in his chair, with his stomach protruded, and his tone laced with mockery. “Got yourself another job, did you?”

“Mr. Lucas,” I called in a whisper. My gaze fixated on the ground as my trembling hands clenched into fists, holding the hem of my shirt. I hated being here under his lustful gaze, hated having to ask him for help, but I had no choice. “Please…” my hands clasped together as I fell weakly to my knees, “I really need your help. My mother… She's dying. She needs surgery, and I don’t have the money.” Tears streamed down my cheeks, my desperation palpable.

He raised an eyebrow, intrigued by my tone. “Help?” He stood and walked over to me, pulling me up to sit on the nearby couch. “Mia, darling,” he cooed, his voice disgustingly sweet. “No need to cry. I’ll give you the money.”

My head snapped at him with surprise and relief. “You will?”

“Of course." He hesitated, a glint of something dark flashing in his eyes. "How much are we talking about?”

“Half a million dollars,” I said quickly, hope flaring in my chest.

Lucas’s smirk disappeared, as I noticed him shifting uncomfortably. “Well…” He cleared his throat. “You know, I’ve always told you I’d take care of you if you just… let me.”

His hand slid onto my lap, fingers brushing my thigh. I flinched and pushed his hand away. “Will you help me or not?”

Lucas’s expression darkened. “I’ll help you,” he said, his tone turning cold. “If you let me have you. Just once.”

I stared at him in disbelief. “What?”

“You heard me,” he murmured, leaning closer. “One night, Mia, and the money is yours.”

My heart pounded as his grip tightened around her waist. He pressed his lips to mine, forcing a kiss.

“Okay,” I said through gritted teeth, forcing a smile that didn’t reach my eyes. “Fine. Let’s do it.”

Lucas’s eyes lit up with triumph, and he released me. He quickly tugged his shirt over his head, his belly bouncing with excitement.

"I'd rather die to allow him to take advantage of me." The moment his back was turned, I grabbed a pen from the couch and stabbed him in the ankle.

“Argh! You bitch!” Lucas howled, clutching his leg as I bolted for the door. “Don’t ever show your face here again!”

Tears blurred my vision as I wandered aimlessly, the cold biting through my thin jacket. I stumbled out into the night, my chest heaving. My only lifeline had snapped, leaving me adrift. Could this day get any worse?

My gaze landed on the glowing sign of a nearby bar: Hops and Giggles. The music pouring from its doors was loud, chaotic, and distracting—exactly what I needed. Without thinking, I crossed the street and walked inside.

Sliding onto a stool, I ordered their cheapest drink. The burn of alcohol that slid down her throat was harsh but welcome. I threw it back in one shot.

Across the room, a man’s piercing gaze settled on me. I turned, locking eyes with him. Something in his expression sent a shiver down my spine.

I turned toward him, my eyes locking onto his. “Are you even human?” I slurred, stumbling toward him. Before he could respond, I collapsed against his shoulder.

By dawn, I threw my eyes open, groaning as I clutched my pounding head. My stomach twisted nauseously, the remnants of last night’s alcohol making me feel sick. The room spun around me. With a sharp breath, I pushed myself up, scanning the unfamiliar surroundings in panic. As I jolted upright, my memories from the previous night flooded back.

A man entered the room just as I moved to leave. Our eyes locked briefly. My heart skipped a beat as recognition hit me.

Quickly, I threw the duvet aside and rushed to my feet. "Thanks so much for your help," I said, trying to mask my fear. "I’ll make sure to repay you next time, but for now, I need to leave."

I reached the hospital, my anxiety spiking when I spotted the loan sharks harassing the nurses outside my mother's ward. The gang leader’s voice boomed, demanding money from the nurse.

"Don't tell me shit," the boss growled, his voice thick with rage. "Is a hundred dollars some pocket change to you?" He spat the words, his eyes wild with fury.

My feet faltered, and for a moment, I considered running—escaping this nightmare altogether. But the image of my mother, fragile and helpless, held me in place. She needed me.

I forced myself forward, each step trembling with fear. The gang leader noticed me immediately, his gaze snapping to mine like a predator sizing up prey. Before I could react, he lunged, gripping my hair and yanking my head back with brutal force. "You think you can run off, huh?" he snarled.

I whimpered, the sharp pain rooting me in place. My body shook, tears pricking at the corners of my eyes as I braced myself for whatever horror came next.

But then, his grip loosened. He froze, his demeanor shifting in an instant. Confused, I glanced up to see what had stopped him.

The guy from earlier.

"Why are you here disturbing my fiancée?" His voice rang out, his tone dark and dangerous. "Do you want to lose your heads?"

The loan sharks recoiled, panic written across their faces. "No, no, boss!" they stammered, backing away.

"Settle them," he ordered, turning to another guy behind him. His eyes were cold as he watched them scramble away, eager to avoid his wrath.

Once the gang had fled, he turned to me. I was silent, still processing everything. Our eyes locked, and I felt lost in his deep, oceanic gaze. I was entranced, unable to look away.

Finally, I found my voice. "Thank you so much. I keep becoming indebted to you," I said with a faint smile, trying to mask my shock.

He slid his hands into his pockets, his gaze unwavering. "Well," he said coolly, "I'm about to give you the chance to repay me."

My heart raced. "What?" I asked, confusion flooding my voice.

"It's a contract," he explained. "I clear off your debts, and you become my... pet."

My jaw dropped, my breath hitched. "Pet?" I could barely comprehend the word. "What are you talking about?"

The room fell into an unsettling silence, the weight of his proposition settling on me like a heavy, suffocating fog, leaving me speechless and trembling.