Caught In-between 

 BELLE 

"Tell me you're quitting," Kara demanded as soon as I stepped into my apartment. She wouldn't even allow me to take off my shoes before she exploded.

She paced around my living room, raging with fury. "I won't have you go anywhere near that bitchy stepsister of yours. and who did you say your boss is? THAT MAN?!" 

I sank onto the couch, already too exhausted to argue. "Kara, the pay is good. I can't keep letting Faye control my life."

"You think this is just about that bitch?" Kara spun around to face me. "He's already throwing sexual advances at you. You said he looked down on you!"

I hesitated before speaking. "It's...complicated."

"Not really. You've got two kids to think about, Belle. What happens if he finds out about Jamie and Jordan?"

A lump formed in my thraot. For the first time in my life, I regretted telling her everything. 

"He won't. My kids are never going near him," I said quickly. "And keep your voice down. They're asleep."

Kara sighed and dropped to the armrest beside me. 

"I get it," my voice came out barely as a whisper. "But I'm tired of scraping by. Working hard everyday for pennies, barely surviving. I need this job, Kara. I need a way out." 

"And you think Faye would allow that? She live to humiliates you. Have you forgotten what she did? You can't be so naive, Belle."

"I haven't." I said, holding her gaze. "But I'm not naive. I'm putting myself first. I couldn't afford to celebrate my kids birthday last year. You think I was proud of that? I need a good job! He has one. Fuck everything else."

She looked at me, her eyes softening with understanding. "Fine. But promise me you won't let Faye mess with you, and don't let that man walk all over you."

"I promise," I said firmly. "I won't let Faye win again."

"And you'll call me if anything happens?"

"Always," I whispered, pulling her into a hug. She leaned into me with a sigh.

"You've suffered way too much because of those people. I can't watch you get hurt once again," she whispered.

"I know. And I love you so much!"

"Shut up," She muttered, but her voice has lost its edge.

"I've got work tomorrow," I yawned."I should get some sleep."

"Yeah, yeah. Night."

******

"Mommy..." a soft voice tugged me from my sleep. I blinked, and found Jordan standing beside the bed, his eyes laced with worry.

"Sweetheart, what is wrong?" I glanced at the click. 5 a.m

 He sniffed, tears spilling down his cheeks.  

I moved closer to him, checking his temperature and he seem just fine. "Talk to me sweetheart, where is your sister?"

"Jamie... she won't stop crying."

"What? Is she hurt?" I shot up.

 I ran into their room, my heart racing as different thoughts invaded my mind. Jamie curled in bed, clutching her stomach. I checked her temperature, and her tiny body burned hot against my palm.

"Baby mommy's here," I whispered, scooping her into my arms. "It's okay."

I turned back to Jordan who was still crying behind me. "Stay here, alright? Auntie Kara is coming over. Mommy is taking Jamie to the hospital."

I rushed out with Jamie, texting Kara quickly as we drove.

Hey, sorry to bother you. Can you stay with Jordan? I'm at the hospital with Jamie. Jordan is alone at home. 

Xoxo, Belle.

"Mommy, it hurts," Jamie cried in the back seat.

"I know, baby, we are almost there."

A nurse took Jamie from my arm as soon as we arrived at the hospital and hurried her to a nearby room. I paced outside, hoping it wouldn't be anything serious.

"Mrs. Anderson?" The doctor called.

I nearly ran to. "She was fine last night. Why is she suddenly burning up? What is wrong with her?"

"Please, calm down," he said gently. "She's stable now. I wanted to speak to you about her condition."

"Condition? What condition?"

"Jamie has Familial Mediterranean Fever FMF. it's hereditary... likely passed from your side or her father's."

My heart dropped.

Her father.

I took a step back, unsure of how to process the news. "W-will she be okay?" I inhaled a shaky breath.

"Yes. The symptoms are stomach pain and fever which she had just experienced," he explained.

"She will need medication and a few lifestyle adjustments. It's manageable," he assured me with a small smile. "It sounds scary, but it's not a rare condition."

I nodded numbly as my heart pounded against my rib.

Zalden.

Could it have really come from him?

"The treatment is not too expensive, is it?" I asked breathlessly.

I can't barely afford their school fees. Adding something else felt impossible.

"You can ask the front desk about the bill," he said with a polite smile.

I walked up to the front desk, anxiety crawling up my spine.

"Your bill is $25,000, ma'am. Would you like to pay now?" The receptionist asked with a smile.

"$25,000," I repeated, laughing bitterly. "Can I get the medication later? Will she be okay till then?"

"You'll have to ask the doctor that, but I don't think she can wait long before starting treatment."

Tears pricked my eyes as I returned to Jamie's ward.  

"Mommy..." Jamie called softly.

I wiped my tears before she could see them, and sat next to her, brushing her damped hair from her face. 

"It's okay, baby, mommy is here."

Her breathing had slowed down, but I can't stop thinking of how to go about all of this.

where would I get that kind of money from?

I pulled out my phone, ready to call Kara when I saw 10 missed calls. 7 from Andrew, 3 from Zalden.

Shit.

It was 9:48 AM.

Panic clawed my throat. I was late. Really late.

"Jamie, mommy has to go now, but auntie Kara would be here," I kissed her forehead before rushing out of the hospital to the company.

My hair was a mess and I wasn't dressed for work, but I'm afraid I don't have time to go home to change.

"Miss Anderson?" The receptionist wrinkled her nose as soon as she saw me. "Mr. Marlowe demand for your presence." 

My heart sank.

Fuck!