Humiliation

The moment Cynthia arrived at the hospital, she walked straight to the billing department and completed the payment for Leo's surgery. Her hands trembled slightly as she signed the final documents.

"It's confirmed?" she asked nervously.

The receptionist smiled.

"Yes, Miss Hart. The surgery has been scheduled for the day after tomorrow."

Cynthia closed her eyes. Thank God, she silently offered a prayer.

Please let it go well. Please let him be okay. That's all I ask.

After finishing the paperwork, she hurried upstairs to Leo's room. The moment he saw her, his face lit up.

“Cyn,”

She smiled.

“Hey, how are you doing?”

“Better than ever,” he smiled.

Cynthia laughed and sat beside him.

For a few moments, they talked about ordinary things. School, his friends, and the games he wanted to play after getting discharged.

Then Leo looked at her curiously.

“The surgery is happening, isn't it?”

Cynthia nodded.

“It is,”

His eyes widened.

“Really?”

“Yes,”

For a second, he looked happy. Then confusion replaced it.

“Cyn... how did you get the money?”

She had prepared an answer. A lie that might save her from embarrassment.

“I borrowed it,”

Leo frowned.

“From who?”

“A wealthy friend,”

“That rich friend you mentioned before?”

“Yes. I told her our situation, and she gave us the money,”

He stared at her suspiciously. The boy knew her too well.

“As a loan?”

“Yes,”

“A huge loan?”

“You don’t have to worry about it,”

Leo looked guilty immediately.

“Cyn...”

“No, don’t say anything,”

“But…”

“I already know what you're about to say,” she smiled. Leo lowered his gaze.

“I'll pay you back one day,”

Cynthia's heart squeezed painfully. He was only twelve. Yet he always worried about money. Always worried about being a burden.

Sometimes she hated how circumstances had forced him to become so guilty of his helplessness.

“You don't owe me anything. I’m your sister and I will do anything to protect you,” she said and hugged him.

“Your job is to get better,” she said.

Leo smiled. For a moment, everything felt peaceful.

Then he looked at the clock.

"Can you stay a little longer?"

The question instantly made her feel guilty. She wanted to, but she has work.

“I can't today, I have classes and then my part time job,” she said, “And assignments to submit,”

“But I will be here with you all day on your surgery,” she promised.

"You'll come tomorrow?"

"Of course, I will come everyday. And I’m sorry, for not being here,”

“I understand, and I will take care of myself,” he smiled.

“Thank you,” she smiled.

“You’re a strong kid,”

“I know,” Leo winked.

Before leaving, she kissed his forehead. Then walked out before he could see the tears gathering in her eyes.

…

The university campus felt normal.

Students rushed between buildings.

For most of them, life continued without any major change but her world has completely transformed overnight.

Cynthia attended her classes and submitted her assignments.

She tried to focus, tried to listen, tried to take notes. But her mind kept drifting.

Towards Leo, his surgery, and towards Damien.

The name alone made her nervous. A billionaire who wanted her to simply hold him while he slept. She g****e searched him and found out that he’s a billionaire, who owns hotels, shipping companies, and media houses.

There isn’t much information about him, and she doesn’t want to get curious about him. Her phone remained silent throughout the day. She noticed Mia wasn't in class.

After the lecture ended, Cynthia sent her a message.

Hey. Didn't see you today. Are you okay?

A moment later she added:

Can we meet tomorrow when you're free?

Then she slipped her phone back into her bag.

By the time she left the university, evening had arrived. The journey back to Blackwood Estate felt endless. A crowded bus, then another bus and then finally, a taxi.

By the time the taxi reached the enormous gates of the estate, the clock showed exactly seven o'clock.

Cynthia hurried from the main gate, and the cool evening air brushed against her face as she ran toward the mansion.

She pushed open the large doors and stepped inside. Then stopped. Damien was sitting in the living room with his laptop, talking to someone on Skype.

The enormous room looked neatly organized, he occupied the space effortlessly.

One arm rested on the sofa while he talked to someone. His attention immediately shifted toward her and he ended the call.

"You came back,” he said. A small smile appeared on her face.

Does she have any other choice? Did he think she wouldn’t return? How can she just run away, can I? Cynthia thought for a moment and cleared her head.

“Of course,” she said.

Damien studied her silently. Then he stood. Cynthia's breath caught. Last night she had only seen fragments of him. Tonight was different, she saw him clearly and she doesn’t want to think much about it.

He was wearing a perfectly tailored charcoal suit. The crisp white shirt beneath it contrasted sharply against his dark hair. Everything about him looked expensive.

He looked like the kind of man who belonged on magazine covers and corporate boardrooms.

The realization made her annoyingly aware of herself, her simple clothes and her ordinary appearance.

The fact that she was standing in his mansion was because he had purchased a year of her life.

His expression remained unreadable.

“Is your brother in the hospital?” He asks.

Cynthia is surprised, and she nods.

“Yes,”

“How is he?”

She hadn't expected him to ask.

“He'll have surgery the day after tomorrow.”

A brief silence, and then Damien nodded.

For the first time since meeting him, she realized that he’s not as cold as he projects himself.

Cynthia stepped out of the bathroom, rubbing a towel through her damp hair. The hot shower had washed away the exhaustion of the day.

She had spent the entire day running between the hospital, university, buses, and taxis. Every muscle in her body ached, and she stank. She’s so self-aware because they were going to be close.

She changed into the pajamas she had brought from home.

They were old. The sleeves had faded from countless washes. The fabric was soft with age. She felt so comfortable.

The bedroom door opened. Damien entered. For a moment, neither of them spoke.

His gaze settled on her. She shifted awkwardly. The silence stretched.

Trying to break the uncomfortable atmosphere, she offered a small smile.

“You have a nice house,”

Damien's expression didn't change; he just nodded.

Silence returned. She wondered whether he was going to ask her to take her pajamas off but she thought he wouldn’t ask her to do that.

Damien walked across the room and sat in the armchair near the window. Then his gaze turned to her side.

"Don't you have any shame?"

The question hit her like a slap. Cynthia blinked.

“What?”

Damien didn't look at her, “For doing this,”

The words settled heavily between them. Immediately, she understood. Her stomach dropped in humiliation.

That was what she saw in his eyes, disgust and judgment. He didn’t care earlier, he was mocking her.

As if he had already decided what kind of woman she was. For several seconds, she couldn't speak. Couldn't even breathe properly. Then she swallowed hard.

“I know how you see me. You think I wanted this?"

Her voice trembled despite her efforts.

Still no response. She knew people like him won't understand. The tears gathering in her eyes made her angrier. Not at him but at herself and at her situation.

“I'm here because my brother needs surgery,”

Her voice softened.

“He could die without it,”

Damien finally looked at her.

But she continued.

"I have lost everyone in my life but not him,"

The room fell silent again. Cynthia looked away as she refused to cry.

Not in front of a man who clearly thought the worst of her.

Without another word, she walked to the bed and climbed beneath the blankets.

The mattress dipped slightly beneath her weight.

For several moments, she stared at the ceiling, trying to push away the sting in her chest.

Finally, she looked toward him. Damien was still sitting by the window, watching the darkness outside.

"If you're so disgusted by me," she asked quietly, "why hire me?"

“Why should I answer you?” he replied, which further put her in place

Damien walked towards the bed. Then lie down beside her. All of a sudden, Damien reached for her hand and pulled her closer to him.

“Cuddle me,”

Cynthia stared.

“That's why I hired you,”

She slowly nodded and hugged him even though she hates this man.