Chapter 1

Chapter one

Bianca

The fluorescent lights in the hospital buzzed like angry wasps, and I wanted to smash every one of them. I sat on the hard plastic chair outside the ICU, Emma’s medical file clutched in my trembling hands. The numbers on the estimate sheet blurred together, but I had them memorized anyway.

$10,000 for the deposit. Surgery is scheduled in three days. No deposit, no surgery.

“Miss?” The nurse’s voice was gentle, “The doctor wanted me to remind you that without the deposit by Wednesday, we’ll have to postpone Emma’s procedure.”

“I know,” I said without looking up

The nurse hesitated, her eyes softening with pity that made my skin crawl. I didn’t need pity, I needed money, I needed my parents to not be dead so they could help me figure out how to save their youngest daughter.