Chapter 2

After signing that agreement, my life turned into a pay-per-view nightmare.

Every day after work, if I wanted a hot meal, I had to send a $200 Venmo transfer first.

If I wanted my laundry done, $50 per load.

Even if I wanted Chloe to visit my mother with me over the weekend, she charged me by the hour.

A month later, my annual bonus came through—$150,000.

Before the funds even cleared, Brenda showed up at our apartment.

"Logan, Tyler met a wonderful girl, but her family insists he needs to own a luxury car before they can get engaged. As his brother-in-law, don’t you think you should step up?"

I sat on the sofa, massaging my temples.

"Brenda, I just paid off Tyler's $20,000 credit card bill last month. A car is a major purchase. I don't have that kind of liquid cash right now."

"Don't lie to me. Chloe told me you just got your bonus."

Brenda’s eyes glittered like a hawk locking onto prey.

"A hundred and fifty thousand. That's more than enough for a hefty down payment. Tyler can pay off the rest slowly."

"That money is for my mother's surgery!"

I shot to my feet.

My mother had severe heart disease. Her cardiologist warned that she needed a bypass surgery as soon as possible. That bonus was her lifeline—money I had worked countless sleepless nights to save.

"Your mother's condition isn't an emergency right this second!" Tyler chimed in from the doorway.

"This is my future on the line! If I don't get that car, Ashley is going to dump me! Logan, do you really want to see me die alone?"

"That is your problem!" I snarled, clenching my fists. "I am not touching that money."

Seeing my refusal, Brenda shot Chloe a sharp look.

Chloe immediately came over, sat beside me, and took my hand. Tears rolled down her cheeks right on cue.

"Logan, please just help Tyler. He's my only brother. Think about it—when I jumped into that freezing water to save you, I developed chronic reproductive complications from the severe hypothermia. Getting pregnant is going to be so hard for me. Tyler continuing the family line is helping our family too."

She pulled back her sleeve, exposing that jagged scar, waving it right in front of my face.

"Look at this scar. Every time it rains, it aches. Logan, my life was nearly cut short for you. Can't you do this just to pay me back?"

Looking at that scar, the defenses in my chest cracked once again.

"Chloe, my mom's heart surgery..."

"We can save up for the surgery again!" Chloe pressed. "With your salary, you'll make it back in a few months. Besides, your mom's meds are keeping her stable. Pushing it back two months won't kill her."

Brenda chimed in:

"Exactly. Your mother is tough as nails. But if Tyler’s engagement falls through, it will ruin his entire life. Logan, don't be so selfish."

I shut my eyes in defeat.

"Fine."

"Consider this a loan. Tyler signs a promissory note."

"We're family, why do we need notes?" Tyler grabbed my phone off the table. "Your passcode is your birthday, right? Thanks, Logan!"

His fingers flew across the screen. In less than ten seconds, the entire $150,000 was gone.

Tyler sprinted out the door, ecstatic.

Chloe leaned into my shoulder, whispering sweetly:

"Logan, I knew you loved me most. Tell you what—no overnight fee tonight. That’s your reward."

A bitter taste filled my mouth.

As long as they were satisfied, as long as my debt of gratitude was cleared... I would endure it.

I had no idea that my endless endurance wouldn't buy their empathy. It would only feed their bottomless greed—and cost me everything.

A month later, my company sent me out of town to close a multi-million-dollar acquisition.

Before boarding the flight, I pleaded with Chloe repeatedly:

"My mom's chest pains have been getting worse lately. Please check on her. If she feels sick, take her straight to the ER. I’ll reimburse every penny when I get back."

Chloe waved a careless hand. "Yeah, yeah, stop nagging. How much are you paying for caretaking?"

"$150 an hour."

"Now we're talking. Go on, don't worry. I've got it covered."

With a knot in my stomach, I boarded the plane.

The negotiations were brutal. We were locked inside a secure conference room for two straight days with our phones turned off.

When the contract was finally signed and I powered my phone back on, dozens of missed calls flooded the screen.

Every single one was from my mother's neighbor, Mrs. Gable.

My heart plummeted into an icy abyss.

Before I could dial back, her call flashed on the screen again.

The moment I picked up, her panicked, tearful voice screamed through the receiver:

"Logan! Thank God you picked up! Your mother was in an accident! She's in the ER at City General!"

*Boom—*

My mind went completely blank. The phone almost slipped from my fingers.

"What happened? Didn't Chloe look after her?"

"Chloe? What Chloe?!" Mrs. Gable wept. "Your mother had severe chest pains two days ago and begged Chloe to drive her to the clinic. Chloe demanded upfront cash and refused to come when your mom didn't have it! Your mother tried to take the public bus to save money, collapsed at the bus stop, and was struck by a scooter! There’s blood everywhere!"

A bone-chilling cold spread through my veins. My teeth chattered uncontrollably.

"I'm on my way! Mrs. Gable, please, stay with her!"

I hung up and frantically dialed Chloe.

First call: Declined.

Second call: Declined.

Third call: She finally picked up.

In the background, loud chatter and the clinking of poker chips echoed through the line.

"What do you want, Logan? I'm on a winning streak here, don't jinx me!" Chloe sounded euphoric.

"Chloe!" I roared into the phone. "My mom was hit by a vehicle! She's dying in City General right now! Take the money and get there immediately! Right now!"

The line went quiet for a beat. Then Chloe sighed, thoroughly annoyed:

"An accident? Is it even that serious? Look, I can't leave right now, this round isn't finished."

"A life is on the line! Who gives a damn about your card game?!"

"Where is the $150,000 Tyler took? Bring it to the hospital for the emergency deposit!"

"Tyler already spent that on his car, there’s nothing left!" Chloe snapped. "Besides, City General is on the other side of town. It's pouring rain outside, and I just got my hair done..."

I could not believe what I was hearing.

"That is my mother! I am begging you, go to the hospital! I'll transfer whatever you want!"

Hearing the word *transfer*, Chloe’s tone softened slightly.

"Fine, fine. You really owe me for this. But we need to settle the rate first."

"It's night time, and it's raining heavily—that classifies as extreme weather hazard pay. Plus, pulling me away from a winning table means lost wages. Add in the emotional distress..."

I could hear her tapping on a phone calculator on the other end.

"Flat rate: $50,000 for the errand. Money first, then I move."