Chapter 2

I woke the next morning ravenous.

I reached for the call button, then remembered my family had stopped paying my bills.

Without money, I couldn't order a hospital meal.

As if she had suddenly remembered I existed, Mom walked in carrying a container of food.

Hope flared in me, only to die when the first words out of her mouth were praise for Camilla.

"Camilla said you haven't been feeling well and haven't eaten in days.

"She's such a kind girl. She told me to bring you what was left of her breakfast."

With that, Mom opened the container.

Inside were a half-eaten portion of cheesy scrambled eggs, a scrap of bread, and half a sausage.

"Your sister already ate from it, but don't be ungrateful. She said you don't eat much, so this should be enough."

I stared at the leftovers. I couldn't even bring myself to laugh.

During my early years in the hospital, Mom used to prepare my favorite foods differently every day.

Whenever I lost my appetite, she would sit beside me, hold my hand, and cry.

She used to beg me to take just a few more bites. But now...

Mom pushed the container toward me and sat on the edge of my bed.

"Camilla said you argued with her again yesterday. She said everyone online is attacking you."

My hand trembled as I picked up the scraps and forced them into my mouth.

At least they filled my stomach.

"Camilla didn't come to see me yesterday. How could I have argued with her?"

Mom gave me an exasperated look, then took my phone from the drawer.

"Your sister was right. You've changed for the worse! You lie and then deny it! Livia, I taught you better than this."

I managed a wan smile. "If you're going to believe her instead of me, then I won't say anything from now on."

Was she afraid I would post my side of the story online? I had already signed the consent form.

Yet none of them had thought to announce it online and put a stop to the abuse directed at me.

A nurse came in soon afterward. "Ms. Hale, where is your family?"

I lowered my head. "They're taking care of Camilla."

Camilla knew how to wheedle, cry, and compete for attention.

They treated every pang she suffered like a tragedy. Years of illness had taught me to suffer in silence.

So they decided I had always been strong...

The nurse's expression softened. After a moment, she said, "Ms. Hale, your family hasn't paid your bills for several days, including the charge for this private room. We're short on beds, and we can't reach any of them."

I looked up. "Do I need to leave the hospital?"

She said she would ask and hurried away.

A little later, the head nurse came in looking uncomfortable.

"Ms. Hale, we spoke with your family. Your father wants you moved to a shared room.

"He also said most of the family's money needs to go toward your sister's treatment, so they have to cut costs here.

"Your mother asked me to tell you that she knows this isn't fair and that they'll make it up to you later."

I didn't argue. "I'll go along with whatever they've arranged."

At least the hospital wouldn't throw me out.

But my family didn't know I had another phone.