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."