Chapter 1

"I know that you're doing your job, but please, I need more time, please, I'll come up with the money, please."

Sophia pleaded with the doctors who had just told her that if she didn't provide the money for her mother's treatment, they would unplug her from life support. They stood in front of Sophia, dressed in their scrubs, looked very serious, and handed her the bill before leaving.

"This is your last warning. If you can't clear your debt by next week, we'll have to disconnect her."

Immediately they entered they left. Sophia Carter stood in front of her mother, holding her hand and looking at her unconscious body that was perfectly tucked into her bed. She whispered her mother's name.   

“Emil”

 Her mother looked more like she was dead than alive, with the pain of what her dad had done, she was heartbroken. Looking at her beautiful mother in this state made her hate her father even more. Sophia was about to lose the only thing that mattered to her, all because of her father. Just then, her phone rang when she checked it was her ex-boyfriend Damien. She was surprised but not too surprised since the news of her father getting arrested had come out. A lot of people from her past life had come out, lurking from nowhere, but they only came to mock her, and she was sure that Damien was no different.

 "Hello"

She finally picks, knowing fully well that Damien had nothing good to offer her.

 "How are you doing, my princess?"

Sophia felt an inkling of irritation as he called her his princess.

  "I'm not your princess and I'm fine, thank you."

She shut him out 

  "Don't be like that, I heard about what happened to your mother."

  Sophia felt so angry. How dare he throw his fake sympathy at her? 

  "Oh, that. Don't worry, I have it under control, it's no biggie."

  "Stop being modest. I know you need help. Please let me help you out."

  Sophia wanted help; she knew she needed it, but not from Damien. He was simply going to use this opportunity to exploit her like he did in the past. Using her love for him to cheat and have his way with other women. When Sophia caught him, it was too late; he had slept with almost all her friends. This broke Sophia's heart; she hated him so much. So she could not accept his help because he would use this opportunity to try and win back Sophia and make him feel entitled to her. 

 "Listen, Damien, I'm working on it. I don't need your money or anything from you. Your sympathy means nothing to me, especially after everything you've done; the least I want from you is your help. I've got this. Bye"

 She ends the call and breaks down in tears. She cries as she sits down on a table beside her mother's bed. She sobs heavily. Just then, she feels a pat on her shoulders, and someone embraces her from the back. She turns and sees that it's her best friend Olivia.

 "It's okay, honey, you can cry it out. I'm here for you."

Olivia tells her as she hugs. Sophia needed the hug.

 "I feel all alone."

Sophia tells her as she sobs, with more tears coming out of her eyes

 "You're not, I'm here for you."

Olivia reassures as she breaks the embrace and looks at Olivia, and tells her.

  "It's going to be okay. Okay?"

Sophia hugs her again and questions her.

  "How, when? Where am I going to get the money to pay them back before the end of next week?"

  "Hey, don't worry, we're gonna do this. I was able to talk to some people who need a florist for some deco stuff at an event, and the pay is quite good."

 "Is it good enough to save my shop?

 "Well, no. But we can start there. Who knows, maybe you'll meet a wealthy prince charming who will take all your troubles away."

 Sophia giggled

 "Please be serious, this is not a fairytale."

  "It's worth the shot."

They both laugh, and Olivia holds Sophia's hand.

  "Listen Soph, yeah life sucks. Your Dad just got arrested, and it just keeps getting worse, especially with your mum in this situation, but please don't lose hope, who knows, you could just meet your knight in shining armour at this event. 

 "Olivia, please don't start."

They both laugh as they split up. Sophia goes home to discover that her landlord is packing her stuff out.

 "Sir, what are you going on?"

He stands by the door with a strain on his face. 

 "Well, as you can see, I'm kicking you out since you can't afford the rent."

 Sophia gets so upset and desperate and begins to plead with him.

“I cannot keep the child of a criminal in my house, especially when she can't pay the rent.”

The landlord said arrogantly, but Sophia kept on pleading. 

“Please, just a little more time. I have nowhere to go.”

Sophia had found this apartment for them to stay, but they couldn't even afford it right now. It was because of her father. She thought about him. She thought about going to see him, but she also remembered that she hated him and he was the reason they were in this situation.

Sophia remembered that night how her father had kicked her mother and pushed her down the stairs just as she was coming back from work. She remembered the look he had on his face as she screamed. 

“Muuumm”

 But the more she pleaded, the further her father went. She lay there on the floor of a house she could not afford. Just then, her phone rings. She looks at the number, which looks unfamiliar, but she picks it up and answers.

"Please, am I speaking to Sophia Carter?"

 A feminine voice asked her on the phone.

 "Umm, yes, this is Sophia Carter, please, who am I speaking to?"

She asked as she wiped the tears from her face. 

 "I got your number from Olivia. She says you're a florist. Will you be available for a deco tonight?"

 Sophia is confused, but she agrees

  "Yes, I am. What time is it?"

Sophia leaves her apartment immediately. Hopefully, this could open.