When she saw I wasn't budging, my mother dropped to her knees.
"I'm not forcing you. You're the one forcing your sister to die, forcing your father and me to die! If you won't agree, then I'll kowtow to you. I'll keep going until you say yes."
Thud. Her forehead hit the floor with a dull, sickening sound, and it might as well have been a hammer striking my chest.
I slumped forward and grabbed her arms. My mind was screaming, clawing at the walls, but all I felt was a crushing helplessness.
In that moment, I wished I'd been born from a crack in the earth rather than from the flesh and blood of these two people.
Finally, I let out a long breath and made my decision.
"This is the last time. But you have to leave me two million. I need to go abroad for treatment."
I'd also made up my mind to accept the company's overseas assignment. Once the treatment was done, I wouldn't come back for a while.
After all these years of being bled dry, plus this eight million, it would be more than enough to repay the debt of being raised.
But the second Ethel heard my terms, she exploded. "Like hell! Every last cent of that ten million is mine. You don't get a single dollar!"
"She's right," my father chimed in. "You're only helping your sister pay off a fraction. How is that any different from not helping at all? Besides, you're already wrecked. That kind of damage doesn't heal. No point throwing money away on a lost cause."
"Help your sister now," my mother added, "and her children will take care of you when you're old. Wipe your chin, change your bedpan, the whole deal. All you're doing is spending a little money for a lifetime of returns. Isn't that a good trade?"
I watched their mouths open and close, every word dressed up like concern, every word a blade twisting between my ribs.
A bone-deep chill washed over me. I knew there was no reasoning with them. I went straight to my room, locked the door, and called the police.
The dispatcher said they'd be there within fifteen minutes. I hung up and barely had time to exhale before the door was kicked open.
My parents' faces were a twisted mess of panic and fury. They lunged at me, clawing and shoving. "You actually called the cops? You ungrateful wretch, are you trying to get Ethel killed?!"
Ethel herself planted a kick square in my stomach, sending me crashing to the floor. But there was no fear on her face. She was grinning, wild and triumphant.
"Relax, Mom, Dad. Even if the police show up, even if God himself walks through that door, Abigail's never getting that money back."
My parents hesitated. "But it's her settlement. When the police get here, they really won't do anything?"
"Of course not." Ethel's face was smug, her voice dripping with certainty. "Because that money was given on my account in the first place."
"Getting hurt on a construction site? A hundred thousand in compensation, tops. The only reason Stephens Group shelled out that kind of cash is because Logan Stephens has a thing for me. He was trying to get on my family's good side!"
"Logan Stephens?" My father's eyes went wide. "You mean the CEO of Stephens Group? The one who's better looking than a movie star?"
"Stephens Group has operations all over the world. They must be worth billions. And he... has a thing for you?"
My parents stared, stunned speechless for a moment, then broke into beaming smiles, falling over themselves to praise Ethel for being so impressive.
I could only marvel at the absurdity. "Ethel and Mr. Stephens don't have the slightest connection. She has the nerve to say it, and you two actually believe it?"
My mother jumped to Ethel's defense immediately. "Why wouldn't we believe it? She's my own precious daughter. I know her better than anyone. Every time Ethel owed gambling debts, she told me right away. Every cent, accounted for. That proves our Ethel is honest and pure-hearted. She never lies!"
My father nodded with absolute conviction. "Your settlement was suspiciously generous. I'd been wondering about that. Now it all makes sense!"
I nearly laughed from sheer disbelief. I couldn't help but think back to the day of my accident, when Logan Stephens, a man known for being untouchable and remote, had eyes so red they looked like a rabbit's. He'd held me in a grip that nothing could pry loose, swearing he'd take responsibility for me for the rest of his life.
In the sunlight, the tips of his ears had turned the color of ripe tomatoes.
I couldn't stop myself from pointing out the obvious. "Has it occurred to either of you that the settlement was so large because of me? I'm the one who's worked at Stephens Group for years. I'm the one who's been by Mr. Stephens' side all this time."
