001

CAITLYN'S POV

I stood in the corner of the hospital room, my chest tightening as I watched my little sister, Claire, lying motionless on the bed. Her frail body was a pale shadow of the vibrant girl she used to be. The nurse's voice cut through the silence, sharp and clinical.

“You need to get cyclosporine soon. Her pyoderma gangrenosum is aggressive, and without the medication, it could turn fatal.”

The words "turn fatal" echoed in my head, leaving a lump in my throat. My fingers tightened around the edge of the bed as I nodded, too shaken to speak.

“The medicine is rare,” the nurse continued, her tone softer this time, “You can only find it at The famous DLK pharmacy. It is difficult to obtain due to the production limit of the research and development company, and even our hospital is unable to do anything. But this is the only way to save your sister's life at present. ”

Desperation clawed at me as I left the room. Within quarters, I made it to the DLK stores—but I couldn't get the medicine. The receptionist impatiently waved me off, saying the medicines can't be sold without the consent of their CEO. She said if I needed the medicine, I'd have to see the CEO first.

People like me who work hard to earn money, have nothing in common with those big bosses whose account balance can sustain me for a lifetime—It is difficult enough to meet them, let alone get their consent.

After my father passed away, my mother was too ill to work, so I supported the family and my mother and sister alone. After graduation,I worked hard to support my sister's schooling, hoping to fulfill my father's last wish and take good care of the family.

My father was an upright person throughout his life. Under his guidance, I also gradually learned to be upright and strong as I grew up. My sister's illness made our already poor family even worse off, but I was not discouraged at all. The only thing I regret is that I once went against my father's teachings and did something wrong.

Immediately, my phone rang in my pocket. It was Charles, the only friend who had always helped me.

I felt a little hope on seeing his call. Charles, my coursemate from college, is now a millionaire based on his inheritance from his father's businesses. And that's why he's always there to help me when I'm in need.

“Hey Caitlyn! It's been a while. Wanna come join me in a hangout?” He asked in a rush, voices of people talking reached to my ear through the phone

“Not now, Charles, I kindly need your help, again, sorry.” Although I already owed Charles a lot of favors, I still spoke after a brief hesitation. Time is Claire's life, “Claire’s in need of one… Cyclosporine. It’s rare, only the DLK's have it, but I can not have it, the receptionist can not offer me unless I get permission from their CEO.”

There was a pause. Then his voice came back, steady and reassuring. “Come to Rashwells Casino downtown. I’m here, with the CEO of DSK pharmaceutical. You are such a lucky girl, he is a new friend of mine, I'll talk him into it.”

Relief and hope flooded me, I was very close to giving Claire a life again. “Thank you, Charles. I’ll be there soon.” I replied and ended the call.

I didn’t waste a second. The thought of Claire’s painful state pushed me forward, weaving through traffic and into the bustling streets downtown. Rashwells Casino loomed ahead, its golden lights glittering in the evening haze.

The moment I stepped inside, the smell of cigars and expensive cologne overwhelmed me. Charles was waiting by the entrance, his tailored suit as sharp as ever, his welcoming smile a small comfort.

“Welcome, Caitlyn.” he said, pulling me into a brief hug before leading me through the crowded casino floor.

We walked past clinking glasses and murmured conversations, arriving at a private table where two men were locked in an intense game of chess. My heart stopped when I saw one of them.

That was the last person I wanted to see for the rest of my life. He was a participant in my biggest mistake.

The warmth of his fingers still seemed to remain on my thigh. I still remember him plundering my body again and again, making me tremble continuously like the waves.

That was my first and only time having sex, and it was also my most shameful experience. In order to raise money for my sister's surgery, I sold my virginity to a well dressed wealthy man in the club—and I never thought we could meet again.

For a second, I couldn’t breathe.

“Caitlyn?” Charles nudged me gently. I forced myself to pull it together. I couldn’t afford to fall apart now, not with Claire’s life on the line, and maybe he doesn't remember me now.

Charles gestured toward the men. “Desmond, this is my friend Caitlyn. Caitlyn, meet Desmond. He’s the CEO of the pharmacy.”

I looked at the man Charles was pointing at, his piercing blue eyes and sharp jawline looking as stunning as ever. His well tailored suit, similar to the one he wore on that same night that changed my life.

I couldn't help but shiver, my adrenaline rush was getting the best of me.

Desmond’s gaze flicked to me, and I saw a spark of recognition in his eyes. He didn’t say anything, just leaned back in his chair, studying me like a puzzle he already knew the answer to.

Charles didn’t seem to notice the tension. “Buddy, Caitlyn needs a medicine at your store—Cyclosporine. Your employees referred her to you, to get your consent before they can sell the medicine. Her sister’s seriously sick, please help her with it.”

Desmond stood, picking up his glass of wine with a casual elegance that set my nerves on edge. “Why don’t we step aside to discuss this?”

I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat as I followed him a few steps away. The noise of the casino faded into the background, leaving only the sound of my pounding heart.

“You disappeared last time, why are you back now? Is it because you ran out of money?,” he said, his voice smooth and low.

I never thought he would mention this and think of me as a hooker, it was bitter, but I kept my mouth shut. I needed his help, and I couldn’t afford to let my pride get in the way.

I opened my mouth to explain, but the words wouldn’t come. The weight of our shared past, the shame of needing him again, made my tongue feel heavy.

He sipped his wine, his eyes never leaving mine. A slow, cruel smile spread across his face.

“If you try hard enough to please me, I might give you the medicine you need.”

His words cut through me like a blade, leaving me standing there, stunned, as the mistake of my past left a mark on me that I can never wash away.