Chapter 1

Louisa's point of view

I hated the smell of hospitals. The chlorine and whatever else they used to clean the walls and floors made me feel like I would soon be rushed to the intensive care unit myself.

I didn't smell it today at all, or maybe I was too deep in my despair to notice.

My sister, Michelle, was saying something about houses beside me. I couldn't make out what she was saying, my mind too focused on the frail woman in front of me.

Mother was once a very chubby woman, easily a size 18 before my dad left us, sorry, abandoned us. We stayed afloat, not as lavishly as when I was growing up, but we still had three square meals a day. Mom made sure of that.

But after her diagnosis, she really lost weight, edging to a size 0 in just three months. And as her body fat went, so did our finances.

Most of Mother's savings went toward the hospital bills. So did my earnings. And my good-for-noth— my sister had no job whatsoever and needed me to support her.

As always.

"Miss." The voice I had come to recognize and hate called out before tapping my shoulder. My mom's doctor, who used to be our private doctor, but oh well.

"Can I speak to you outside?" He had that look on his face that made me sure it was just more bad news — his brows pinching, then jumping, before he'd rub his hands together, running one over his face.

I followed him outside, mentally calculating how much I had left in my account. Three hundred and twenty-four dollars. Just enough to pay this month's rent and cover Michelle's feeding for a couple of days. I'd find something to scrounge at the office cafeteria.

"Louisa, you know I've tried everything I possibly can in my position." He started, his eyes grasing my body in the same lewd manner he used to when I was a kid and he was at home check us.

And when he was telling me my mother needed surgery and it'll cost us two millons dollars.

Or when—

Snap out of it.

"Yes, yes," I nodded frantically, "and I am very grateful to you for all you have done for my family. Believe me, I and the universe would find a way to repay you for everything." I'd love to put a knife through his neck.

"Relax, Miss Louisa," he rubbed my arms, his fingers grazing the side of my breasts. "I wish I could continue helping you, truly." He sighed, squeezing lightly on the skin of my waist before taking his hands back.

"I've done all I could for you and your family, but you haven't paid anything in the past two months. This is a hospital, not a charity home. There's only so much we can overlook."

I forced a smile, blinking slowly, trying to look as seductive as I could muster. Strutting slowly towards him, begging my knees not to give in.

“But, doctor.” I said, the fake high pitched sound of my voice irritating me but that's what he liked. Me sounding like a child.

Fucking pedophile.

I itched closer towards him, my breasts resting carelessly on him while I circled his belt buckle.

Maybe I should report him, go to the news press or something. It'll ruin his career and I'll probably get compensated.

Probably not definitely.

We were in the hallway and anyone could walk in at any moment. It excited him.

“You're so powerful,” I whispered, sounding breathless, holding back my gag.

I reached into his pants, stroking his already hard cock while he held my ass like a fucking salvage. Pinching my breasts too hard it felt as though it'll fall off but I let out a moan, looking him dead in the eyes.

It was just sex, I have given it to other men for free, what's with using it to pay my bills?

He came soon after, grunting in my ears. “I know you can do something.” I pushed the collar of my shirt, revealing more of my breasts skin.

He shoved me off!

His push was so sudden and forceful, I almost landed on my butt. His eyes, I'd seen that look before.

That's how they all looked at me after they've used me. After I'd lost everything. After I'd fulfilled their stupid fantasies

“I can't help you anymore Louisa. Don't ever try what you just did ever again. It reeks sourly of despiration and makes you look like a slut and a freak. Coming at me like that! It's not cute.” He said, buckling his balt, looking around ti check if no one saw. “So reckless and desperate! You could have cost me my job.” He eyes me.

“But Ray… I” This man is a fucking motherfucker!

“But nothing, Louisa!” He whisper-yelled, “you didn't think this little trick or yours would work forever did you?” My mind was blank, what would I do?

“You have a week to sort the bills else we'll stop her medications and I'll advice you get the money for the surgery soon, even with the aid we are giving her, she'll be dead in about two months if she doesn't have the surgery. I'm really fond of your mother, kklyhate to see her go.”

He zipped up his fly, sparing me a quick disgusted look before walking off.

My eyes burned, but I wasn't going to waste my tears on him. He didn't deserve it, and it wasn't going to change anything.

I needed to find something to do, ASAP. I couldn't disappoint Mom after everything she'd done for us.

"You fucking bitch!" My sister yelled, gluing herself to my side the moment I walked in.

"Michelle, I am not in the mood for your tantrums right now, okay?!" I flopped onto the stool beside the hospital bed, rubbing my temples.

"Why? Used up your last bit of energy sucking the damn doctor!" She eyed me with the same look Ray had given me while he was leaving.

Who was she to judge me.

It's ironic, really. She hadn't contributed shit and had the audacity to judge me.

"You're laughing? You're fucking laughing?" She yelled right in my ear. "I hope you find it funny when we're homeless!" She threw the notice in my face, arms crossed.

I picked up the folded piece of paper, looked at it for a second, and threw it back at her.

"Since you're the one who stays home all day doing nothing, why don't you pay the fucking rent! You wouldn't want a cheap, mooching slut living in the house you live in, would you?"

She stumbled backward, shaking her head at me. "You've always been one to shrink from responsibility."

That was it.

My arm worked faster than my brain, and before I knew it, my fingers had connected with her face. "I've given everything to this family!"

I stormed out of the room without looking back at her or the damage I'd caused.

I wasn't a violent person. Even though the stinging in my palm suggested otherwise.

On the way to my car, I saw a poster — "$5 million" the main thing that caught my eye.

"What is that?" I asked no one in particular.