After a quick wash, I did not go to sleep right away.
Instead, I checked one of my other bank accounts. It had 50,000. This was the money I had secretly saved over the years, just in case something happened.
However, it was still not enough to cover my treatment costs.
If I wanted to get the rest in two weeks, I had to take a risk.
On the table was a design I had worked on for six months. If I entered it in a contest and won, the prize money would cover my medical costs.
Also, if I entered it under my name, I would not have to share it with the company.
The next day, I opened the registration portal and submitted my design.
Unfortunately, before the day ended, I received a call from the organizers. They said the design had already been entered under my company’s name and asked me not to resubmit it.
Under the company’s name?
I felt a rush of anger. My chair dragged across the floor loudly as I got up, and I walked straight to my boss’s office.
My boss looked happy to see me. He pulled me in and poured me some tea. “Jenna, I didn’t think you’d be willing to enter your design under the company’s name. Starting next month, we’re giving you a 10% raise.
“Your mom told me to submit the design for you this morning, so I sent it right before the deadline. Don’t worry. If you win, you’ll get 70% of the prize. You’re doing the company proud.”
My mom?
After a bit of small talk, I stepped out and called her from the break room.
I did not hide my frustration. “Mom, did you give my design to my boss? I told you I was entering on my own. That way I’d get to keep the full prize if I win.”
“You’re so heartless and selfish. Your boss is nice to you, and he even said you’d get a raise.”
According to her, I did not understand how things worked in real life.
“It’s payday. Remember to pay Joan’s medical bills. The doctor asked me about it this morning.”
She was always like that. She decided on everything concerning me without asking, as though the design was not mine. It was like I was just a tool she used to deal with my boss.
I only mentioned the contest once, but she took it seriously and made decisions without telling me.
I wanted to enter the contest under my own name so that I could save more money for Joan’s medical bills.
Two weeks later, I won first prize and could get 150,000.
I quickly found my mom and showed her my early-stage brain cancer report. I told her that I needed treatment.
She did not even look at it. She turned away and made hot water for Joan instead. “You’ve probably just been playing on your phone too much. People always get worried over small headaches or fevers. You had a fever all night when you were a kid, but you were fine the next day.”
I stood in the hallway holding my wrinkled report and felt lost. “It’s real. I’m not lying.”
“I’m going to wipe Joan’s face now. Remember to pay her medical bills.”
With that, she walked down the hall.
The morning sun was bright. It shone on her and made her look like a caring mother, but only to Joan, not to me.
The next day, the doctor called. He told me to undergo an examination and begin treatment soon.
I told the doctor that I did not have money, and my family was against it.
Hearing this, the doctor spoke louder. “Your mom came to see me yesterday. I told her how much your cancer has spread. She said she’ll try to convince you to get treatment. Please make an appointment soon, or else, it will be too late.”
Right then, I felt a little happy. At least, she cared.
After I spoke to the doctor, my mom called me. My voice sounded happier when I answered, but my heart sank in the next moment.
“I’ve talked to the doctor. Your cancer isn’t serious. Just rest, and you’ll be fine. Don’t waste money on checkups or hospital stays. We can barely afford Joan’s treatment as is. Quit your weekend job and rest.”
At that, my heart clenched again.
