Joey Has To Save Her Brother

Joey's POV

I stared at the mail, a smile crossing my lips as I walked in through the back. Winona introduced me to her boss, who was in charge of the tutoring firm.

With this new job, I can finally quit this one.

Besides, I had already saved up enough money for Cassian's tuition. That was more than enough.

“Hey, Natie!” One of the other girls called out to me.

“Hey, Golden Girl!”

I smiled and waved to them as I reached for my face, making sure that my mask was in place.

Thankfully, it was. The last thing I wanted was for someone in school to recognize me here.

I walked towards the Manager's office and knocked.

“Come in,” He called out from inside.

I took a deep breath before walking in.

When he saw me, he leaned forward, his smile spreading into a grin. “If it isn't Natasha, my Golden girl.”

He turned his chair and reached for my face. “You know, you don't have to wear this when it’s just us”

I took a step back, evading his touch.

“Come on, now, cupcake,” he said. “You don't have to be all feisty around me. Especially when I was this close-” He gestured with his thumb and index finger, placing them a bit apart. “-to being your stepfather.”

I ached my lips, though I knew he couldn't see it. “Well, I'm not my mother.”

He flashed a smug smirk, his eyes eating me up. “No, you're not.”

I felt dirty as memories of the past popped up.

“I'm here to tell you that I'm quitting.”

He frowned. “What do you mean by 'quitting'?”

I folded my hands in front of me. “It means I'm no more golden girl. That ended last night.”

His frown deepened. “But the contract--"

I pulled a paper from my bag and held it in front of me. “Was for a month, and that's over. So, I want my money.”

He stared at me, trying to contain his fury. “Is that how you treat someone who has been kind to you?”

I sighed, taking off my mask. “And I'm grateful. But I'm done. We made a deal; I kept my end, so you have to keep yours.”

He forced a smile and then grabbed his phone. In a minute, the alert came in.

I smiled. “Pleasure doing business with you.”

I turned, about to leave, when he called out to me. I halted, not turning to him.

“So you know, I always chose you over your mom. And I always will.”

I fought the urge to do something I’d regret. Instead, I fixed my mask and walked away.

***

Back at the house.

“Winona!” I called again. “Cassie! Are you two home? We're going out. Dinner's on me.”

No one answered. Where were they? Cassie always ran to me when he heard the door.

I headed for the kitchen to get water when the bedroom door slowly opened.

Winona stepped out.

“Hey, I got...” My words died on my lips, replaced with concern.

She looked pale.

“Winona?” I frowned. “What's wrong?”

She looked shaken, then swallowed hard before speaking. “It's... It's Cassie.”

My heart dropped. “What's wrong?” I asked.

She was silent, then muttered. “He... He.”

I didn't wait for another word as I stormed into the bedroom.

Cassian lay on the bed, completely still. His face was unusually pale, and his breathing shallow. My heart sank even lower.

“Cassie!”

I rushed to his side and gently cupped his face. His skin felt cold.

“What happened?” I asked, looking over my shoulder at Winona.

She shook her head, tears brimming.

“I don't know. When I picked him up from daycare, he was unusually quiet. I thought he was just tired, so I put him to bed.” Her voice cracked. “A few minutes ago, I came in to check on him and... and I found him like this.”

Fear tightened around my chest.

“Call an ambulance!”

“I already did.”

As if on cue, the sound of sirens echoed outside. Without wasting a second, I lifted Cassie into my arms. He somehow felt lighter than he should. All I could think was...

'Please don't leave me.'

What would Mom say? I couldn't live with that. I couldn't live without him. Not when he was the reason I had come this far.

I hurried outside to the ambulance. The paramedics rushed over with a stretcher.

“He's unconscious,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady. “Please help him.”

He was laid on the stretcher and then wheeled into the ambulance. I followed from behind and climbed in beside him without hesitation.

Winona followed a second later.

As the ambulance sped through the streets, I held Cassie's small hand.

“Please,” I whispered, my eyes burning with tears. “Please be okay.”

The hospital doors flew open the moment we arrived. Doctors and nurses rushed Cassie down the hallway.

“Emergency Room!” someone shouted. Within seconds, he disappeared behind the double doors.

I stood frozen outside. Winona came to stand beside me. Neither of us said a word.

The silence felt unbearable. Every minute, an hour passed.

Every time the emergency room doors opened, my heart leaped, only to sink again when it wasn't a doctor coming for us.

Finally, a middle-aged doctor walked toward us with a solemn expression.

I already knew. Something was wrong.

“Are you the little kids' guardian?” he asked.

I nodded. “I'm his sister.”

He took a slow breath. “We've run several tests.”

My hands began to shake.

“I'm sorry...” The next words shattered my world. “Your brother has leukemia.”

Winona gasped. “What? No...”

I was quiet. I couldn't say anything.

My body trembled violently, but I refused to cry. Not here. Not in front of everyone.

Without another word, I turned around and walked away.

I ignored Winona calling my name. I ignored the doctor.

I ignored everyone.

I pushed through the hospital doors until I was outside, the cool night air hitting my face.

For a few seconds, I just stood there.

Suddenly, everything I'd been holding back exploded. My scream echoed through the parking lot.

Tears streamed. I wasn't sure who was hearing, and I didn't care either.

“He does not deserve this. What did we do wrong?!”

I covered my face with my hands as sobs tore through my body.

After a long time, I forced myself to breathe. Crying wasn't going to save Cassie.

Money would.

My hands shook as I reached into my pocket and pulled out my phone. I scrolled and found the number I'd promised myself never to call again.

I stared at it for a few seconds before dialing. The call connected after the second ring.

“Hello, Cupcake?” He answered.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. “I want another contract.”

There was silence on the other end. Then a slow chuckle.

“I knew you'd be back.”

I lowered my head as I bit my lower lip, tears slipping silently down my cheeks.

“I'll do whatever it takes.”

Anything...

...to save my little brother.