Chapter 3

When Ella was informed of what had happened, she was mad.

"That bastard! How dare he do this to you? I always knew that boy was good for nothing," she fumed.

Lena had to try her best to calm her friend down. She could see that Ella was genuinely worried about her, and that made her happy.

"You shouldn't worry too much, Ella. I think I will get over it very soon," she assured her friend.

Knock knock!

A loud knock came from the door.

"Are you expecting anybody?" Ella asked.

"No, I'm not." Lena was also confused.

"Okay, I'll get the door for you then," Ella volunteered. Lena nodded, grateful.

Soon, she heard Ella's loud voice.

"You? What are you doing here? How dare you show your face after what you did?"

Lena immediately sat up from the bed. She could hear Richard's voice too.

"What's your business with how I handle my relationship and how I treat my girl? It's none of your business, so get out of my face!" he said angrily and was ready to push his way through when Lena came out of her room into the living room.

"What are you doing here, Richard?"

Richard's eyes lit up, and he knelt immediately.

"Please, Lena, I can explain. Just give me a chance, please..."

Bam!

Lena shut the door in his face.

"And this is how you get rid of unwanted people—you don't waste time arguing with them."

Ella was shocked. She was looking at Lena in a new light...

****

The next day, Lena received an emergency call from her little sister. Their mother was terribly sick and had been rushed to the hospital.

She was shocked when she heard the news and hurriedly took a cab to the train station.

After some hours, she arrived at the hospital where her mother had been admitted.

"You are finally here, Lena," the middle-aged doctor called out happily when he saw her. It wasn't the first time they had met—he had treated her mother a few times before, and he was also her late father's friend.

"Mr. Winston, how are you today? How is my mom? I hope it's not too bad," she asked nervously.

Winston's face darkened, causing Lena's stomach to tighten in fear that the worst had happened.

"Lena, I'll tell you the truth. This time around, your mother must undergo surgery. This is the only option now. She has reached a stage where ordinary treatment won't work anymore. If she doesn't undergo the surgery, I'm afraid she won't have much time left."

Her face darkened when she heard the doctor. This was very bad, no doubt. It wasn't that she didn't want her mother to undergo surgery, but rather that she couldn't afford it.

It was no small amount—seven hundred thousand dollars. That was the full cost of the surgery, and she needed to pay a deposit of four hundred thousand dollars for it to commence.

She managed to force a weak smile. "I understand, Doctor. We'll see what I can do about it," she said. "I'll go and see her now."

The doctor nodded approvingly.

Inside the ward, a black-haired girl, around eighteen, was hugging a middle-aged woman lying on the hospital bed. The girl was sleeping lightly.

Lena sighed when she saw them. A small smile appeared on her face as she stood there, watching them while trying to hold back the tears threatening to spill from her eyes. The woman seemed to sense her presence as her eyelids fluttered open.

"Lena," she called in a week, tired voice.

Lena hurriedly wiped her tears and moved to the other side of the bed, hugging her mother.

"Mom." The two women embraced.

The young girl woke up and looked a little lost for a moment. Then her eyes lit up.

"Lena! Thank goodness you're back. What did the doctor say? Will she be alright?"

Lena smiled and ruffled her head. "Of course, she will be alright, although the doctor said it will take time." She didn't mention the surgery. She would figure out on her own how to come up with the huge sum.

I think I should meet Uncle Williams and see if he's willing to help, she decided.

She planned to visit one of her late dad's wealthy friends. Uncle Williams was a very rich and capable man. If he was willing, he could easily pay for the surgery. However, she didn't have much hope. She just wished he would help with part of the payment while she figured out the rest.

Even if she had to sell her body, she was ready to do anything to save her mom, who had been taking care of her and her little sister ever since their father's death.

After talking with her mother, she gave some random excuse before heading to Uncle Williams' house.

Williams welcomed her happily. He was a middle-aged man, roughly around fifty-five years old, but it didn't show in his appearance. He actually looked ten years younger and still appeared strong.

The way he welcomed Lena made her feel flattered, and she thought she might be successful today—perhaps.

He invited her into his spacious study. Looking around, Lena thought this wasn't just a study—it was so heavily decorated that most of the expensive items in the room seemed unnecessary. Maybe Uncle Williams was the kind of person who loved showing off his wealth.

"Welcome, my dear. What can I get for you?" Williams asked, all smiles.

"I don't need anything, Uncle Williams. No need to bother yourself," she said politely before getting to the point. "Actually, Uncle, I have something important I need to talk to you about."

"Come on, Lena. Enough with that 'Uncle' thing. I don't like it. Can you just call me Williams?" he requested.

Lena nodded meekly. "Okay."

Then she told him about her mom and the impossible hospital bill.

Williams' eyes shone brightly. He looked at her intensely.

For some reason, Lena found his gaze kind of creepy.

"My dear, you have grown up, and without a doubt, you've become a woman as beautiful as your mother. Indeed, your family's genes are superb. I will help you, but I have one condition. If you agree, I will pay all the hospital bills and even make your life better."

For some unknown reason, she started feeling nervous.

"What is the condition, Uncle?"

Williams winced. He didn't like that title at all.

"Sleep with me and be my mistress, Lena."

"What?!”