As the long-lost daughter of a wealthy family, I returned to my biological parents, only to watch their company collapse.

Overwhelmed by massive debts, my dad jumped to his death.

My brother was left crippled by vengeful creditors.

My mother, unraveled, would one moment tear at my hair, cursing my existence, and the next, cling to me, sobbing and vowing to cherish me.

To save them, I shredded my college acceptance letter and took every job I could find.

When my brother's condition worsened, I auctioned off my virginity to fund his surgery. But when I arrived at the hospital with the money, I overheard their conversation.

"Kathy works day and night to earn money. I don't think she is after our fortune," said my mom. "She dropped out of college and ruined her future for us. Maybe we should stop this."

My brother, supposedly half-paralyzed, stood by the window in a crisp suit. He shrugged. "She chose to skip college and work like that. What's it got to do with us?"

My "dead" father broke his silence. "We need to be careful. People like her are like leeches. Once they latch on, you can't shake them off. Let's keep watching."

I listened quietly, tossing the pendant they had given me into the trash.

I had repaid the debt of my birth, and now, we were done.

My brother's condition worsened.

With no options left, I auctioned my virginity to raise money for his treatment.

But when I arrived at the hospital with cash, I heard his voice, strong and clear, from outside the ward.

"She grew up in an orphanage, where money means more than life," Andre Deleon scoffed. "If we don't test her thoroughly, how do we know she's not after our fortune?"

I listened, reeling from my brother's words.

He lounged on a sofa, radiant in a designer suit, no trace of the frail patient he'd played for months. A loan shark stood nearby, handing him the cash I'd bled for. "Here's the three million from her auction. Keep up the act?"

Andre set his wine glass down. "Keep going. This is just pocket change for a bottle of wine. It doesn't prove her loyalty. I just dropped 30 million on a sports car for Natalie. This will soften the blow."

The loan shark hesitated, realizing Andre meant to jack up the interest. "But she seems..."

Natalie Deleon, the fake daughter, clung to Andre's arm. "You heard him. This little money proves nothing. Selling her chastity? She's a leech. We can't trust her."

My chest tightened, a familiar ache clawing at my heart. I fumbled for my pills, swallowing them dry, and braced against the wall.

I'd abandoned my dreams, rejected an Ivy League school, and worked until my hands were cracked and bleeding. For what? A lie!

My phone buzzed. Andre's name flashed on the screen. "Kathy, the hospital's demanding payment again."

My voice came out hoarse, barely holding together. "I'm out of money."

His tone sharpened, edged with irritation. "No way! You work ten jobs. I saw you buy a pancake last week."

So, he knew how hard I had been working. That pancake was my lifeline after a blood sugar crash, a rare moment I hadn't starved myself to save every cent for him.

He paused, softening. "I know you see me as a burden. I'll get discharged now."

Fighting back my bitterness, I transferred him my last $1,200. "This is all I have left."

It was the final thread of our bond, severed.

I grabbed my bag and turned to leave, but laughter from the ward drilled into my ears.

"Is she kidding?" Natalie scoffed. "Unless she coughs up 50 grand for my new necklace, she is just playing us."

Andre called me again. "The doctor says Mom's condition could improve, but the medicine is costly."

I broke down, covering my face as I slid down the wall. Tears streamed through my fingers.

"I really don't have anything left," I croaked.

"What about that locket you have?" he pressed.

My heart stuttered. "That's from the orphanage director."

For this family, I'd given everything.

When creditors came, I shielded Evelyn Deleon and Andre, ending up with a broken arm, unable to play the piano ever again.

I thought it was fine as long as they loved me, but it was all a lie. And now they wanted my last keepsake.

Tears landed on my wounds, causing a dense, searing pain.

I steadied myself and said, "It's a cheap fake. It's worthless."

The locket was handcrafted by the orphanage director for my first birthday. It was my only tie to her. I'd never let them ruin it.

Andre's voice dropped, laced with barely restrained anger. "What, is Mom not as important as some junk locket? You know what happens if her condition worsens."

"I know." I cut him off, my voice cracking as I crouched on the floor. "No one knows better than me when she loses it."

My old scars burned as I recalled it.

Like a volatile child, she'd speak kindly one moment, and the next, brand me with a hot poker.

The smell of scorched flesh haunted my nightmares.

Andre fell silent, knowing how diligently I had cared for Evelyn, but a moment later, he hardened again. "I got it, you don't want her to get better."

The call ended, the dial tone a hollow echo. I knew he was waiting for my apology.

They just wouldn't stop until they'd drained me dry. But I was done with their game.

I got home and opened the door, only to be met with a blow to the head.

Evelyn screamed, swinging a stick at me. "Get out, you filthy tramp! We don't need you!"

Blood trickled from my forehead into my eyes, stinging like acid.

I raised my arm to block her. "Enough!"

She stumbled, the stick clattering to the floor. Then, like a switch flipped, she collapsed into sobs, wrapping me in a suffocating hug. "I'm so sorry, sweetheart. I'm sick. I didn't mean it."

I closed my eyes, bitter pooling in my chest. "I understand. Can I wash my face first?"

"Go ahead." She let go, fidgeting like a guilty child.

In the bathroom, I let the faucet drown out the world. Then I heard her voice outside. "She hides her emotions well. I hit her with a stick, and she didn't flinch. Isn't calling the loan sharks too much?"

Alarmed, I grabbed my phone and bolted for the door.

It flew open, and a gang of men in black stormed in, wielding baseball bats.

Evelyn shrieked, yanking me behind her in a mockery of protection.

The leader of the gang sprawled on the couch, blowing a plume of cigarette smoke. "When's my money coming?"

My voice trembled despite my resolve. "You can't change the deal."

He flicked ash onto my hand, the burn sharp. "I've been patient, but interest piles up. I'm generous enough to ask for one million instead of two."

"I don't have it," I said.

He shot up, grinding his cigarette into my palm. "No money? Then pay with your life!"

He grabbed Evelyn while his goons tossed a knife at my feet.

"One finger for ten grand. One kidney for a million," he declared. "Keep stalling, and I won't be so nice to your mom."

The situation was dire. Even if I didn't know their scheme, I had nothing left to give.

"One kidney for her life. Fair deal. Choose carefully," he added.

"I only have one kidney left," I muttered.

The cramped apartment felt like a trap, its walls closing in.

Under Evelyn's expectant gaze, I picked up the knife but hurled it out the window.

I was sick of their twisted game. They could see me as a gold digger, as they liked. I no longer cared.

I didn't need to prove myself or sacrifice everything for them anymore.

Evelyn gasped, then winked at the leader. He released her and waved a hand before his goons charged at me and pinned me to the floor.

"What do you want?" I yelled, glaring at him.

"You don't care about your mother?" the leader sneered, roughly patting my face. "What a shameless, money-grubbing loser! If you don't have money, pay with your body. One round, ten grand. Let's see how many you can handle."

I thrashed, trying to escape, but they held me down, tearing my clothes to rags.

I reached for Evelyn. "Mom, make them stop!"

She looked conflicted. "I want to help, but I'm powerless."

I didn't know how long the assault lasted, only that dawn was breaking when it ended.

The last man zipped up his pants and noticed my locket peeking out. He ripped it off. "Boss, she's got a locket."

"Give it back!" I crawled toward him despite my aching body.

"Like I want your junk," the leader snorted, smashing the locket on the floor.

I clutched the fragments, rage and despair choking me. I couldn't understand why I had to endure this.

I lunged at Evelyn, blood trailing behind me. "This was the director's keepsake. Why wouldn't you let me go? What do you want from me?"

She looked away, guilt flickering.

Suddenly, I was thrown to the ground. Natalie appeared, clinging to Evelyn. "Kathy Deleon, how can you be so selfish? Mom is not well. You know it and still upset her? What are you plotting?"

Evelyn's guilt vanished, giving way to disappointment. "When will you be as sensible as Natalie? She sold her kidney to help us, and you won't even give a finger."

Stunned, I looked up to see Natalie's smug, challenging stare. I was the one who sold a kidney, and she claimed the credit.

I lunged to hit her, but before I could, she collapsed dramatically, clutching her stomach. "My wound!"

Evelyn scooped her up, distraught. "Natalie!"

Then she slapped me across the face. "I don't have a heartless daughter like you! We're done!"

I crumpled to the floor, clutching the locket's shards and laughing like a madwoman. I couldn't keep going anymore. They didn't love me, only seeing Natalie as family.

"What are you waiting for? Do it!" Evelyn snapped at the loan sharks. "Make her pay for Natalie's suffering!"

My abdomen was sliced open, the agony of them rummaging through my body overwhelming. The pain deprived me of my voice, and cold sweat poured down.

The leader looked up, puzzled. "She's only got one kidney left."