Chapter 3

Doctors and nurses crowded around the bed, and monitors screeched out alarms.

"Doctor, what's wrong with my daughter?" I asked urgently.

The doctor glanced at me with his brows deeply furrowed.

"Her kidneys are in a very dangerous condition. We've administered medication, but the results aren't good. It's best if we switch to the imported medicine. Have you gotten the money together?"

Those 300 dollars felt like a mountain on my chest, suffocating me.

I dialed Linda's number again.

"What now? Didn't I tell you to get lost?" she snapped.

"Linda, Lily is dying! Please, please, just give me the money first! Just 300 dollars more! I'm begging you!" I said through sobs.

My dignity had long been shattered.

The other end remained silent for a moment.

Those few seconds of silence gave me a flicker of hope. Maybe Linda still had some motherly love for Lily.

Then, Linda's cold voice came through. "No. I told you it's not happening."

In the background of the call, James' delighted shout rang out.

"Lin, you're the best! You actually bid on that antique watch for me! That's 50 million dollars! You spoil me!"

The call was hung up after that.

I held the phone, feeling like all my strength had drained from my body. I slid down the wall and sat on the floor.

In the hospital room, Lily kept weakly calling out to me.

I couldn't hold back anymore, and tears poured down my face.

With trembling fingers, I unlocked my phone. I found the number I had sworn I would never call and dialed it.

"I'm willing to acknowledge my family. Please, give me 100 thousand dollars first."

On the other end, there was only heavy breathing and no answer. Every second of silence felt like torture to me.

"50 thousand! 50 thousand will do!" I anxiously changed my plea.

An old, quivering voice came through, full of excitement.

"Don't worry, Skylar. Give me your account number. As long as you're willing to come back… As long as you're willing…"

I gave him the number, and a moment later, a notification from the bank lit up my phone.

Two million dollars.

I stared at the number, checking it again and again.

I felt my nerves, so tense that they were about to snap, suddenly relax.

I had known for a long time that I was the Crest family's illegitimate child.

My mother—who had worked as a hostess—once kneeled with me as a child at the gates of the Crest residence, only to be humiliated and chased away.

My biological father looked at me like I was a filthy stray dog.

At that moment, I swore that I'd rather starve to death than ever acknowledge him.

Later, he and his wife died in a car accident together.

My grandfather, Hubert Crest, found me through the orphanage. He tearfully begged me to come back and take over the family business, but I had refused.

But for Lily, I gave in to the name I'd despised for half my life.

Life truly was ironic.

"Skylar, is the money enough? What else do you need? I'll give you anything," Grandfather said.

Having asked once, I felt less pressure the second time.

"Get me a kidney—the best and the one that can arrive the fastest."

On the other end, Grandfather sounded flattered, agreeing repeatedly. "Of course! I'll take care of it right away! Once I return from abroad in a few days, I'll come visit you and Lily!"

I hung up and rushed to the payment counter.

Just as I was waiting for the bill, Linda called. "Skylar, I'm going to give you one chance. Bring three boxes of condoms to the house within an hour. I'll give you 300 dollars."

In the background, I could hear James' muffled laughter, as well as the sounds of their bodies brushing against each other.

My stomach churned with disgust.

"Forget it, Linda. Let's get a divorce," I said coldly. "I'm taking my daughter."

Once the words left my mouth, I felt a weight lift from my shoulders.