I didn't sleep.
Not even for a second.
The number was still burned into my mind.
It didn't feel real.
It couldn't be real.
I sat on the edge of my bed, staring at the card in my hand like it might disappear if I blinked.
But it didn't.
It stayed there.
Heavy.
Silent.
Waiting.
"One night."
His voice echoed again.
Calm. Certain.
Dangerous.
I pressed my fingers against my temples.
This was insane.
This was wrong.
This was—
Necessary.
I stood up abruptly, pacing the small apartment like I was trying to outrun my own thoughts.
"No," I whispered. "No, I'm not doing this."
But even as the words left my mouth…
My eyes drifted back to the card.
Because no matter how much I tried to deny it…
I had already started calculating.
How many bills it would cover.
How much time it would buy.
How much pain it could stop.
My chest tightened.
I grabbed my bag and left before I could think anymore.
The hospital smelled the same.
Sterile.
Cold.
Unforgiving.
I hated that smell.
Because it meant reality.
"Miss Carter."
I turned.
Dr. Reynolds stood near the hallway, holding a tablet, his expression already telling me everything I didn't want to hear.
"Is she awake?" I asked quickly.
"For now."
For now.
Those two words shattered something inside me.
I walked past him without waiting, my steps faster than my thoughts.
Room 312.
I knew it by heart.
When I pushed the door open, I forced a smile.
"Hey…"
My mother looked smaller.
Too small.
Too fragile for someone who had once been everything strong in my world.
"There you are," she said softly.
Her voice was weaker than yesterday.
And that terrified me more than anything.
I sat beside her, taking her hand carefully.
"I brought your favorite tea," I lied.
I brought nothing.
I barely remembered how I got there.
She smiled anyway.
Because she always did.
Even when everything hurt.
"You didn't have to come so early," she whispered.
"I wanted to."
Another lie.
I needed to.
Her fingers tightened around mine.
"You look tired."
I swallowed.
"I'm fine."
She studied me.
Too closely.
Like she could still read everything I was trying to hide.
"You've always been a terrible liar," she murmured.
I forced a laugh.
"Guess I never improved."
Silence settled between us.
Soft.
Heavy.
Then she said it.
"You shouldn't be here all the time."
My heart dropped.
"What?"
"You have a life," she continued gently. "You shouldn't put everything on hold because of me."
My chest tightened painfully.
"You're not 'everything'," I said quickly. "You're my mother."
She smiled again.
Sad this time.
"That's exactly why," she whispered.
I looked away.
Because if I didn't…
I was going to break.
"You deserve more," she added.
"A future. A chance."
My throat burned.
Because she had no idea…
What kind of chance I was being offered.
Or what it would cost.
"I'm not going anywhere," I said firmly.
But even as I said it…
My fingers tightened around the card hidden in my pocket.
"Miss Carter."
Dr. Reynolds again.
Outside.
Waiting.
I stepped into the hallway, closing the door behind me carefully.
"We need to talk," he said.
I nodded.
I already knew.
"The treatment needs to continue immediately," he explained. "If we delay…"
He didn't finish.
He didn't have to.
"How much?" I asked.
He hesitated.
That hesitation…
Was worse than any number.
"Approximately…" he began.
And then he said it.
My world went silent.
Because the number he gave me…
Matched the one on the card.
Exactly.
I stared at him.
Unable to breathe.
Unable to think.
"That's not including additional complications," he added carefully.
I nodded slowly.
Mechanically.
Like my body was moving without me.
"Thank you," I said.
Even though I meant nothing by it.
I walked away.
Step by step.
Until I reached the exit.
And then—
I stopped.
My hand trembled as I pulled the card out again.
Same number.
Same offer.
Same man.
"One night."
The words no longer sounded insane.
They sounded…
Possible.
I closed my eyes.
Tight.
Trying to find something.
A reason.
A way out.
But there wasn't one.
Not anymore.
My phone vibrated.
I opened my eyes.
Looked down.
Unknown number.
My heart skipped.
I answered.
Slowly.
Carefully.
"Hello?"
Silence.
For a second.
Then—
"Have you decided?"
His voice.
Calm.
Controlled.
Exactly the same.
I swallowed.
Hard.
"I—"
The words got stuck.
Because once I said it…
There would be no going back.
I looked up.
At the hospital.
At the windows.
At the life hanging by a thread inside.
Then back at the card.
And finally…
I spoke.
"Yes."
A pause.
Short.
Almost satisfied.
"Good," Alexander said.
My chest tightened.
"I'll send you the address," he continued.
"Tonight."
Tonight.
Everything inside me twisted.
"This doesn't change anything," I said quickly. "It's just—"
"A transaction," he finished.
Silence.
"Yes," I whispered.
Another pause.
Then—
"We'll see."
The line went dead.
And just like that…
My life was no longer mine.
I lowered the phone slowly.
The air felt different.
Heavier.
Darker.
Because now it wasn't a question anymore.
It was real.
And tonight…
I would find out…
Exactly what I had just sold.