Chapter 5

My brother Sebastian's condition suddenly deteriorated. He needed a bone marrow transplant immediately.

The surgery plus post-op anti-rejection treatment would cost at least eight hundred thousand dollars.

I went to every lending company. I even tried to sell our family's old house. But the money still wasn't enough.

The hospital notified me that if I couldn't pay within three days, the surgery would be postponed indefinitely.

I had no choice but to go to Nathan.

His phone went straight to voicemail every time I called. I had to call his assistant and learned that Nathan was hosting a dinner tonight at Nightfall, New York's most exclusive private club.

When I arrived at the private room, the lighting was dim and cigarette smoke hung in the air.

Nathan sat in the main seat. Lillian was leaning against him, holding a glass of juice.

Around them sat a circle of Nathan's business associates, laughing and talking.

The door to the private room opened. Every eye turned to me.

I wore a faded old jacket. My hair was messy. My face was pale as paper. I looked completely out of place in this decadent setting.

"Well, if it isn't Mrs. Blackwell. What are you doing here dressed like that?" One of the wealthy men who'd always looked down on me spoke mockingly.

"What are you talking about? Can't you see who Mr. Blackwell is holding? I have been saying all along, only someone like Lillian, a true socialite, is worthy of our Mr. Blackwell."

"What is Frost? A sales associate. Like she belongs in our circle."

Another person chimed in, drawing laughter.

"Mr. Blackwell, you should have listened to us long ago. Dump this sales girl already! She's an embarrassment to you!"

Nathan frowned, looking at me with clear displeasure. "What are you doing here? Who let you in?"

I ignored the mockery and walked straight up to Nathan. My voice was hoarse. "Nathan, Sebastian's condition got worse. He needs eight hundred thousand for surgery. Can you... lend it to me?"

Nathan laughed coldly. He pushed Lillian aside and leaned forward to look at me. "Lend? Frost, weren't you so proud a few days ago? Didn't you say you wouldn't spend a single cent of my money? What happened? Can't keep up the act anymore?"

I bit my lip hard. Humiliation gnawed at my heart like a venomous snake.

But for my brother's sake, I had to endure it.

"I'm begging you. I'll pay you back for sure."

"Pay me back? With what? By selling drinks at a bar?" Nathan's words stabbed at my pain like knives. The laughter around us grew louder.

Lillian tugged at Nathan's sleeve, looking understanding. "Nathan, Frost is desperate. It's someone's life. Just help her."

Nathan patted Lillian's hand. His gaze returned to me, carrying a hint of cruelty. "Fine. Since Lillian's pleading for you, I'll give you the money."

He poured a glass of red wine and pushed it to the edge of the table.

"That day at the mall, you frightened Lillian. Then at home, you kept giving me attitude and making Lillian uncomfortable."

"Today, in front of everyone here, kneel down and pour Lillian a drink. Consider it a formal apology. As long as you drink it, I'll have finance transfer eight hundred thousand to the hospital account immediately."

The room went silent. Everyone stared at me like I was part of a show.

My whole body went stiff. I looked at Nathan in disbelief.

He wanted me to kneel in front of all these people and pour a drink for his mistress?

He wanted to crush what little dignity I had left under his heel!

"What? You're not willing?" Nathan looked at me coldly. "If you're not willing, get out. Don't ruin everyone's fun."

Tears welled in my eyes, but I forced them back.

An image of my brother in the ICU, tubes running through his body, flashed through my mind.

What was dignity? Compared to life, it was worthless.

I took a deep breath. My legs bent. I dropped to my knees on the cold marble floor with a thud.

A few sharp intakes of breath sounded around me. Even the wealthy man looked away, unable to watch.

With trembling hands, I picked up the glass of red wine and held it up to Lillian. My voice was numb, devoid of any inflection. "Ms. Reed, I'm sorry."

Triumph flashed in Lillian's eyes. She reached out to take the glass.

Just as our hands were about to touch, Lillian suddenly cried out. Her wrist twisted.

The entire glass of red wine splashed across my face and body.

The red liquid ran down my hair, as glaring as blood.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, Frost. My hand slipped." Lillian covered her mouth, putting on a look of panic.

Nathan immediately grabbed Lillian's hand to check it anxiously. "She's definitely fine. Are you okay? You're pregnant. Be careful."

From start to finish, he never once glanced at me, kneeling on the floor, completely humiliated.

After confirming Lillian was fine, Nathan pulled a bank card from his wallet and tossed it at my face like he was dismissing a beggar.

The sharp edge of the card grazed my cheek, leaving a red mark, before falling to the floor.

"The password is Lillian's birthday. Take the money and get out. Stop embarrassing me." Nathan's voice was utterly ruthless.

I slowly lowered my head and picked up the wine-stained bank card.

I didn't wipe the wine from my face. I didn't look at Nathan again. Supporting myself on the table, I stood up and dragged my stiff legs one step at a time out of the room.

The moment the door closed, I heard Lillian's sweet voice inside. "Nathan, weren't you too hard on her?"

"It's the punishment she deserves." Nathan's voice held no warmth at all.

I leaned against the hallway wall, gasping for air. My heart felt like it was splitting apart.

Nathan, what you owe me, I don't want it anymore.

Consider this eight hundred thousand the price for my five years of youth.

From now on, we're even.