“Sylvia is trying to be kind by helping you,” Kelvin said impatiently. “You can get the medicine just by kneeling. I really don’t understand why you’re being so stubborn.”
Unhappy with my attitude, Kelvin grabbed a stack of cash and threw it into the air.
“Aren’t you obsessed with money?” he sneered. “Here, this is for you! Now kneel down, crawl on the floor and pick it all up. Whatever you collect is yours.”
Thinking of my mother lying in the emergency room, I knelt down with red, swollen eyes and began picking up the money, one bill at a time.
Suddenly, Sylvia’s spoiled younger brother stepped on my hand and ground his foot into it again and again.
Staring at my reddened palm, Kelvin seemed disgusted. Probably he thought that I looked so shameful. He then shoved me away roughly.
“You’ll throw away all your dignity just for a little money!” he roared angrily.
The twins also looked at me with open disgust.
“Get lost!”
I swallowed my humiliation, lifted my skirt and was about to leave when Sylvia softly called out. “Hold on! Aren’t you wearing my clothes?”
I turned around in shock and looked at Kelvin.
The dress I wore had been laid on the bed in the bedroom. I thought it was a gift Kelvin had prepared for our wedding anniversary tomorrow. Turned out this was a part of Sylvia’s schemes.
The entire lobby fell silent. Everyone stared at me like they were watching a show. I could feel their eyes seeming to pierce through my clothes.
Suddenly, Al and El charged at me like cannonballs. They clawed at my clothes wildly.
“Who told you to wear Mom’s clothes, you dirty woman!” said Albert.
The younger twins followed, “That’s right! Take them off and give them back to Mom!”
Angry and out of control, Al even raised his small fist and punched me hard.
Clutching my stomach, I struggled toward the second-floor changing room, but my father’s call stopped me.
“Tia, have you gathered the money for the surgery?” he asked urgently. “Your mother can’t hold on much longer.”
“I have, dad,” I replied. “I’m coming to the hospital now.”
Humiliated, I returned to Sylvia once more. Meeting her mocking gaze, I hesitated before speaking. “Can you pay me this month’s wages early?”
“Are you blind with greed?” she sneered. “All you ever talk about is money.”
“My mother really needs this money,” I said desperately. “I’m begging you.”
I was about to kneel when Sylvia lifted my chin with the tip of her shoe.
“Drink all the wine on that table,” she said lightly, “and I’ll pay you your full salary.”
I desperately poured the wine into my mouth, ignoring the laughter around me. Tears slid down my face no matter how hard I tried to stop them.
Forcing myself to stand steady, I took the pitifully small amount of money Sylvia handed me.
Before I could ask anything, my phone vibrated again. My father had been calling nonstop.
“Tia, are you already on your way?” he sobbed. “Your mother… she’s not going to make it. Hurry!”
I ran toward the exit like I’d lost my mind, but Kelvin grabbed my arm. “You haven’t taken off Sylvia’s clothes yet.”
I turned back, eyes red with hatred and desperation. My expression seemed to shock him. At that, Kelvin froze, then slowly loosened his grip.
“Vin, but that was the first dress you ever gave me,” Sylvia said softly from behind.
Kelvin tightened his grip on my clothes again.
“My mother is dying in the hospital,” I begged, looking at him with tear-filled eyes.
“You’re lying again,” he said coldly. “Unless you take off the clothes today, you’re not leaving.”
When my family went bankrupt, my mother was afraid I would suffer with them. She lied to Kelvin, saying she was dying and pushed us to get married. That lie became a thorn Kelvin never forgot.
Looking at the phone ringing again, I made up my mind. Standing at the door, I began to take off my clothes.
