Chapter 3

"Stay away from him."

My fingers, curled around the blanket, went stiff. So that was it.

"Okay."

Mom sneered and crossed her arms over her chest. "Who are you putting on that act for? Do you think this will make me pity you and acknowledge you as my daughter?"

I watched the IV fluid drip down the tube, my voice raspy. "I never expected that from you. The moment I pushed you away 18 years ago, I never intended to see you again."

Mom's expression darkened as disgust appeared on her face. "Don't even mention those horrible days to me! If it weren't for that scumbag father of yours, I wouldn't have suffered for so many years. You have his blood running through your veins. Just looking at you disgusts me."

I fell silent, and even my breath slowed down.

She had every right to hate me. If Dad hadn't kept her there, she would have lived a carefree, happy life.

I was the only reminder of her humiliating past.

I lowered my voice. "If you don't want to see me, I…"

"Amy!" Mom was somehow angered by my attitude, and her chest heaved. "Don't put on that holier-than-thou act in front of me! You're obviously here to get money from me. Name your price and get out of here! I don't want to see you around."

I stared blankly at the ceiling.

Even though she was harsh with me, I knew she was trying to give me some money in her own way so I could afford my treatment.

"I don't want your money. I'll leave after a few days."

Mom gave me a long look before storming out and slamming the door shut behind her.

I closed my eyes. A dull ache had started in my stomach again.

That afternoon, a nurse sent me to the treatment room at the end of the hallway to receive my medication.

I slowly made my way back, carrying a plastic bag.

A young woman came toward me. She was dressed in a designer coat and was carrying a limited-edition handbag. She stopped in front of me and gave me a once-over, her eyes filled with undisguised contempt.

"Are you Amy Fraser?"

I halted in my tracks and looked at her. "Who are you?"

She sneered and lifted her chin proudly. "I'm Lori's daughter, Rhea Parker. I'm warning you. Don't even dream of joining our family. Mom will never accept you. She has finally moved on from what happened back then. I won't let you hurt her again!"

Rhea protected Mom like a mother bear protecting a cub, and it stirred a strange ache in my heart. But more than anything, I was relieved.

It was a good thing. Mom now had a daughter who loved her with all her heart. She didn't need a bastard like me anymore.

"Okay," I replied softly and stepped around Rhea, trying to get back to my room.

Rhea thought I was brushing her off and angrily caught up with me, deliberately slamming into me.

The impact sent me crashing to the ground. The plastic bag fell from my grasp, and I cut my hand in the fall.

Rhea looked at my bleeding hand and smiled smugly. "This is what you get for refusing to take a hint. Amy, you need to know your place."

Then she crouched down and leaned in. "Don't try to use your illness to manipulate Mom."

"Rhea, why are you making such a scene?" Mom hurried over, her gaze shifting between us as her brows furrowed.

Rhea was quick to play the victim. She stepped forward, linking her arm through Mom's.

"Mom, I saw her hanging around outside your room. I was worried she was up to no good. I only wanted to ask what she was doing. She lost her balance and fell, but now she's trying to make it look like I pushed her."

Mom didn't respond. She looked down at the back of my bleeding hand, her frown deepening.

I braced myself against the wall and slowly stood up, keeping my head down without saying a word.

I didn't want to put her in a bind.

My silence seemed to embolden Rhea, and she tightened her grip on Mom's arm.

Mom's gaze shifted to the security camera above my head. She immediately shook Rhea's hand off her arm.

"What do you think you're doing, causing a scene like this here? How old are you? Why are you still pulling these childish tricks? Apologize to her."

Rhea's eyes widened. "Mom, I'm your daughter! Why are you defending her?"

Mom's voice hardened, her gaze fixed on my bleeding hand. "I only go by the facts. Tell her you're sorry."