Chapter 5: The Desperate Deal

"Oh my gosh! How dare you slap my daughter!"

Victoria was about to slap me when Dad stopped her. "Good luck with your business. And you, Camilla? I am not bitter. I am not jealous. Fuck Dominic all you want. I'm out of here," I said, emphasizing each word before finally leaving the house.

The betrayal they committed just stings so bad. But I don't know. It feels more like guilt to me. I'm hurting because I feel like I've lost the right to be hurt because of what I did last night. I don't know. Everything is so messy, and I just want to leave.

Before I could completely leave the gate, someone pulled my arm from behind, causing me to stop.

"You and your precious daughter seems to be obsessed pulling me on my arm. Now I am starting to feel like you really need me. What now, MOTHER?" I said sarcastically as I faced Victoria, head held high, but I could still see a hint of disgust in her eyes as she looked straight at me.

"Camilla is right. You should marry Nathaniel Montague instead. After all, your surname is still Evans. At least you'll be of some use. Since you got here, you've been nothing more than a useless burden," she said, her voice full of authority as always, but this time, I am no longer threatened. I am too lost to feel fear.

"From what I recall, I have a job. I hustle for my own bills. And I've never asked for a single cent from you. I owe you nothing, Victoria."

I saw her squint and take a deep breath. She does this when she's trying to hold back something. She needs something from me, so she has to restrain herself until she gets what she wants. But I will not give her the satisfaction she desires.

"Just think about your Dad. The business he built is going to vanish anytime soon. He still took you in. It's still a debt of gratitude to your father." She tried to sound more convincing.

"And what if I don't want to?" I retorted.

"You leave me no choice. I'll kick you out of my house. Maybe you've forgotten, but you're just a stepchild here. You owe our family. We've supported you since the whore mother of yours got hospitalized--"

"Do not dare drag my mother into your insults. You don't need to kick me out because I'm leaving. Good luck with saving your business."

Those were my final words as I withdrew my arm from her grasp. It's enough that they ridicule only me, but insulting my mother, who is in the hospital fighting for her life, is something I cannot tolerate.

---

"Becca, thank you for letting me stay in your condo for a while. Don't worry, on the next payday, I'll leave immediately to look for a small apartment to rent," I said.

"Oh, Paige. No problem! I'm alone in my condo, and that spare room has been vacant for a long time, so it's really fine for you to stay here for now," Becca said, reassuring me.

I happened to have nowhere to go after leaving Evans Mansion, and I saw Becca entering the restaurant where I work. Because I was desperate, I mustered the courage to ask for help from her in finding temporary accommodation.

Luckily, she had a vacant room in her condo, so she temporarily lent it to me.

"Don't worry, I'll chip in for the expenses," I said.

After a while, she left because she has works to do. I decided to take a shower as I needed to leave to buy some necessities like clothes.

I could get my belongings from Evans Mansion, but I didn't want to go back there for now.

I was just about to step into the shower when my phone rang. Glancing at the screen, I saw the hospital's name flashing. My heart sank as I clicked the answer button. Something's not right. Why are they calling? Is my mother okay?

"Hello?" I stammered and my voice barely above a whisper.

"Ms. Evans? This is Dr. Murphy from St. Luke's Hospital. I'm afraid your mother's condition has worsened. We need to perform surgery as soon as possible."

The room spun. I clutched the edge of the sink to steady myself. "I... I don't have the payment yet," I said.

"We need the payment upfront so we can perform the surgery, Ms. Evans."

 I thanked him, hung up, and slid down against the wall, my mind racing. The amount is just impossible to earn in an instant from my job. I am just earning minimum wage. I can't even buy something for myself. 

I rushed to take a bath and prepared myself to head to the hospital.

----

I entered the hospital and quickly strode down the hallway until I reached the ward where my mother was confined. I saw her lying on the hospital bed weakly. I saw her sweet smile as I entered the room.

"Oh, Mom."

I sat beside her bed and gently held her hand. She looked pitiful, her face reflecting her lack of strength. She had also lost a significant amount of weight. It pained me to see her in this condition.

"Don't worry, dear. I'll be fine," she reassured me.

"Doctor, please do something. I promise I'll pay for the bills. I just need some time to gather the money. Please don't let her suffer. Please perform the surgery as soon as possible," I pleaded.

Dr. Murphy's face showed sympathy for our situation. My mom had been in the hospital for a long time with no signs of improvement. The hospital bills were piling up.

"I think you need to ask for help from your father, my dear," he advised.

I swallowed hard and glanced at my mother who smiled at me. The Evans family was well-known, and they knew I was an illegitimate child. I had never asked my father for anything because of what people might think of me.

"I... I will find another way," I said to Dr. Murphy. He simply sighed and patted my shoulder.

"Your pride won't save your mother's life," were his last words before he left the ward.

A lump formed in my throat. It would be humiliating to return to the Evans Mansion and ask for help after leaving and claiming I didn't need them.

But this seemed to be the only way to save my mother's life.

Next thing I knew, I was standing in front of the Evans Mansion. I walked straight through the gate, and the guards let me in as they recognized me. Taking a deep breath, I pressed the doorbell upon reaching the front door.

The door opened, and Victoria's face greeted me with a mixture of surprise and amusement.

"Paige," she said, her surprise evident. "To what do I owe this visit?"

"Where's dad?" I asked.

"Why? Are you out of money and realized you need us?" she said, grinning.

I ignored her remark and walked inside. I found Camilla in the living room, busy getting her nails done.

"Oh, what are you doing here? Last time I recall, you left as if you could manage everything without us," Camilla taunted.

I'm so tired of these people thinking I can't survive without them. I can! But my mother might not. I'm doing this for her, not for myself.

I would rather be a beggar than live with them, but I would rather endure humiliation than lose my mother.

"I need some help," I admitted, swallowing my pride.

Victoria raised an eyebrow, a cruel smile on her lips. "Oh? And why should I help you? After all, you rejected my proposal just yesterday."

"I don't want to get married, Victoria. Where's Dad? I need him!" I replied firmly, ignoring Camilla's chuckle. I glanced at her quickly and rolled my eyes. I needed to stay calm.

"Well, if it's that urgent, your father isn't here. He went on a business trip. What do you need?" Victoria said, sounding impatient.

I looked at her, determination burning within me. "It's just... My mother needs surgery, and I need money. I need to ask Dad for help."

"Pft... Sounds like a 'you' problem," Camilla interjected, but I didn't pay her any mind.

"Oh, come on, Paige. Your father isn't here. Get lost!" Victoria snapped, seeming irritated by my presence.

Suddenly, the marriage proposal came to mind. I hesitated. It seemed like the only option left.

"If my father can't help me, maybe you could," I said. Both Victoria and Camilla looked bewildered by my statement.

"You're crazy. Who are you to ask us for help?" Camilla said, shaking her head.

"Is your proposal still on the table?" I looked at Victoria. She was surprised by my question but slowly started to smile.

"Oh yes, darling. What did you think? Are we still going to marry Camilla to Nathaniel Montague? Oh no, we're not. She's pregnant. And the father is Dominic, in case you forgot. I already spoke to the Montagues about the changes. I know you'll agree," she said. Every word she uttered brought back the pain I felt from what had happened. I despised this family so much.

"Oh, Victoria. I won't agree without something in return," I said. She was somewhat taken aback by my statement, but she managed to maintain her composure.

Victoria's mocking laughter filled the air, echoing through the grand hallway. "How noble of you, Paige. I always knew you'd come crawling back to us."

I clenched my fists, refusing to let her words break me. "If you agree to pay for my mother's surgery, I will marry Nathaniel. If not, oh, I promise you, I won't show up at the wedding. I'll make sure you humiliate yourself in front of the Montagues. But mark my words, Victoria, this is the last time I will ever ask for your help."