In the dim light of dawn, Sarah awoke to the sound of her own ragged breath. The exhaustion clung to her like a heavy blanket, suffocating her relentless. She had toiled through the night, juggling odd jobs; cleaning, waiting tables, babysitting, yet the meager earnings never seemed to suffice.
She had to prepare for her main job for the day, the one that barely kept the lights on and food on the table. But the thoughts of her little brother, lying in a hospital bed, gnawed at her resolve.
As she trudged through her morning routine, the weight of despair settled heavily on her shoulders. She wished for a miracle, for a glimmer of hope that could ease their suffering.
She finished the day's job and headed straight to the hospital.
The hospital loomed ahead, a stark reminder of their plight. With each step, her heart raced, a mix of dread and determination.
Upon entering the sterile room, she found Bryan, a fragile figure lost in a sea of white sheets. His eyes, once bright with mischief, now stared blankly at the ceiling, trapped in a world of pain. Sarah stood at a distance, her heart aching as she watched him. She longed to reach out, to comfort him, but the sight of his frailty paralyzed her.
Memories of her parents flooded her mind, their laughter echoing in the corners of her heart. She wished they were there with her, that they could help shoulder her burden. The thought of their aunt, who had turned her back on them, stung like a bitter wind.
She wiped away her tears, the salty remnants of her sorrow disappearing into the fabric of her sleeve. She had to be strong for Bryan. With a deep breath, she plastered on a bright smile and approached him.
"Hey champ!" she chirped, her voice a forced melody against the backdrop of despair.
"Hey mommy," he replied coldly, his eyes devoid of warmth.
"How is my strong man doing today?" Sarah chortled, ruffling his hair, a gesture that once brought laughter but now felt like a futile attempt to reach him.
"I'll lose all my hair soon, so you can ruffle it all you want now," Bryan said, his voice flat, the words slicing through her heart like a knife.
The truth hung in the air, a specter of the illness that had invaded their lives. Sarah felt pained at his words, unsure of how to pacify him, how to mend the cracks in his spirit.
"You don't have to be sad about my condition, sis. After all, you aren't in my shoes," he blurted, his frustration spilling over like a broken dam.
"Hey, Hey, you don't have to say that to me," Sarah exclaimed, her voice a mix of concern and determination.
Bryan scoffed, his eyes narrowing as he shot back, "Oh yes, I don't have to because you are obviously the healthy one and it's me who is in the hospital bed." His tone was laced with sarcasm, a defense mechanism against the vulnerability he felt.
Sarah took a deep breath, her heart aching for him. "Bryan!" she called out his name, pausing for a moment to gather her thoughts. "Look, I'm not sure what to say. I can't possibly know how you feel because obviously, I'm not in your shoes. But I want you to know that I care, and I'm always here to support you."
"Support me? How? You don't even have a good paying job." Bryan's voice rose, filled with bitterness. "I'm stuck here in this hospital bed, and I can't even work to pay off my bills. How do you even intend to cover the bills? Our only aunt has forsaken us; we literally have no one to go to, and you dare talk to me about support!"
His words hung in the air like a heavy fog, and Sarah felt her heart race with anger and sadness. She knew he was lashing out, that the weight of hopelessness was suffocating him. But she also felt the sting of his words, the truth in them.
"Bryan, I know it feels like everything is falling apart, but you are not in this alone," she said, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her.
Bryan turned his head away, staring at the ceiling, his jaw clenched. Sarah could see the tears pooling in his eyes, and it broke her heart.
"I know it's hard to believe right now, but we can figure this out together," she whispered, her voice softening.
The scent of antiseptic clung to Sarah's clothes like a second skin as her eyes was fixed on the slow rise and fall of Bryan's chest. Machines beeped steadily, reminding her with every sound that his life came at a cost she could barely afford.
Nurses passed her in the corridor, speaking in hushed tones. She had heard it too many times, "if payment isn't made by the end of the week…"
It didn't matter that she was only twenty-two. It didn't matter that she worked two to three different jobs and barely slept. Life didn't wait for sympathy.
She stepped outside the ward and leaned against the wall, rubbing her temples. She was running out of time and options then her phone rang.
A number she didn't recognize. She hesitated, then she answered.
"Miss Sarah?" a smooth refined voice asked. "This is Mrs. Mara Smith. We've never met, but I believe I can help you."
Sarah's breath caught. Everyone knew the Smiths, one of the wealthiest families in the city. "But why would a woman like her call someone like me?" she wondered in her head.
"I understand your brother is unwell, I can help with the bills," Mrs. Mara continued, "but I need something in return."
Sarah's grip tightened. "What do you want from me?"
The woman chuckled lightly. "Nothing scandalous. Just a favor. My stepson, Victor, is emotionally unstable. I need someone, steady, warm. Someone like you. Pretend to be his girlfriend. Just for a while. Calm him down. Make him, manageable."
Sarah swallowed hard. The idea was absurd, humiliating, but the desperation in her heart screamed louder than her pride.
"I'll pay the hospital an advance payment," Mrs. Mara added, sweetening the deal. "And give you a monthly allowance."
"I, I don't think ---" Sarah stammered as she struggled to find the right words.
"2pm tomorrow, meet me at the Kale&Quinoa Vegan Cafe," Mrs. Mara concluded.
Sarah didn't say yes, she didn't say no. she just stood there torn between her dignity and her brother's survival.
And deep down, something twisted and sharp whispered, "You already know you'll say yes."