3

KRYSTAL'S POINT OF VIEW

@HOSPITAL

"Mom!" I exclaimed when I saw my mother; she has this smile that always makes me feel relieved despite the problems I'm dealing with.

"What are you doing here, Krystal? You're supposed to be a part of that company, "She expressed her concern.

"Mom, I've already been there. Your husband called and said you needed emergency surgery," While looking at my mother, I'm trying hard not to cry. She is the only treasure I have.

"Victor? I instructed him not to call you" she exclaimed.

"So why not? Fortunately, the interviewer did not keep me waiting for too long, so I was able to answer his call. Please don't tell me he's lying again." I responded.

Mom grabbed my hand and squeezed it "Don't be concerned about me, Krystal. You're old enough to find the right man for yourself, and taking care of me is no longer your responsibility."

Victor wasn't lying from that moment on. My mother's voice tells me she has a problem, but she doesn't want me to get involved.

"So, he's not lying about you getting an immediate operation?" I swallowed, trying to hold back my tears.

"Who says I need surgery, darling? I'm perfectly fine. I just collapsed from exhaustion, but I'm fine otherwise. So, get out of here and concentrate on your dream..." She responded.

"No, mom. I'm not going to leave you until you tell me the truth, which is that you're in danger!"

She's trying to hide the sadness in her eyes, which is already telling me the answers I need because I'm going to scold her for doing the chores. My mother is stubborn, which I inherited, but she is unable to do so. Particularly she has a tumor.

The main reason I continue to work while pursuing my dreams, but destiny has other plans for me... That is, meeting the CEO of the modeling agency I wanted to work for.

"Mom! Please don't tell me lies..."

Her tears begin to fall "I don't want to add to your problems, so I save every penny you give me to buy for my medicines. I saw your hard work, and I also saw how stressed you were about our bills..."

"That's why I'm here to help you, Mom! I sacrificed everything for you, but you're too obstinate. We went to this length just to get you to stay with me and promise not to leave... You're exacerbating our predicament!" I yelled, and thankfully, no one was on this floor at the time.

I wipe away the tear that has fallen from my eyes "You even gave that gambler our life savings. Why? Did he make you do it? He deceive you with his lies? He's not who you think he is, Mom! That man remained with us because he knew he could make money from you."

"Krystal, don't talk like that to your father. Because of him, we are able to live in a better house and have hope for the future!" She responded.

"What happens next? He still spends our money? Mom, get up! He no longer loves you because I know where that man went whenever you gave him money! For God's sake, he's cheating on you!"

"Put a stop to it! That is not something your father can do!"

"He's not my biological father!" I respond right away.

"Look into my eyes, mom," I said, taking both of my mother's hands in mine.

She forced her gaze into mine.

"I saw him kiss a woman, and they have two children; he's using you—our money—to support his family... Victor loves you because he can get whatever he wants, not because he truly loves you..." I murmured.

Mom averted her gaze and removed her hands, wiping her tears away and saying, "I know he has a family, Krystal..."

I was taken aback "What...? When did you find out?"

"I made you lunch because you didn't eat breakfast and decided to bring it to you... And then I saw him walking down the street with a woman, a five-year-old boy in his left hand, and a baby in a stroller... He ignored me because Victor didn't notice me "She stated.

She's trembling, and I can feel the pain my mother has been trying to conceal for too long.

"How come you didn't tell me?" I inquired.

Mom looked at me and said, "Because I don't want to live by myself. I know you'll marry a man who will help you get out of poverty and forget about me..."

"What? No..." I take a long, deep breath "I'm not going anywhere, Mom. Aren't we best friends? We're supposed to look out for each other, and leaving my best friend behind is unacceptable..."

"Krystal, I took the same route you did. I fell in love with someone who couldn't keep his word, and I had to carry you on my own."

"Look, Mom. Sometimes in life, we make bad decisions and have no plan to fix them, but those bad decisions are our way to learn. Maybe you tripped right now, but tomorrow we'll both get up and face the new version of ourselves..."

Marcus comes into my mind. The sentences he released to persuade me, and they truly apply to me. I'm not sure how it became useful, but he'll be my husband from now on, and I don't want my mother to know that I sold myself to a wealthy man just to save her.

"What have I done to deserve such a wonderful gift as you?" she asked, touching my cheek.

"Of course you are the best mom in the world!" I replied, smiling back.

"I'm so lucky to have you as a daughter, Krys..."

I immediately responded to her hug. She's the best mother in the world because I've never been criticized by her and she's my best friend. My mother was always there for me, to support me, to defend me, to console me...

I am the luckiest daughter on the planet!

That is why I am willing to go to any length to cure her, to give her another chance at life, and to give her hope.