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This year was my poorest, most difficult year.
I worked desperately to earn money, wanting to buy the best medicine for that child, to
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This
year was my poorest, most difficult year.
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I worked desperately to earn money, wanting to buy the best medicine for that child, to make him less painful when he was sick.
For money, I could shamelessly go to class reunions to borrow from people, and I could work as a hostess in nightclubs, drinking until my stomach bled.
I thought this would probably be the last time I’d see Ryan in this lifetime.
Until a few days later, when that girl called Emma found me.
Emma had probably heard from others that she looked a lot like me and wanted to meet
-me.
She came to the nightclub with some friends, asking for me by name.
One girl asked me: “Are you Lily? The one who was Ryan’s first love?”
Her
dirty.
S
eyes were full of contempt as she looked at my heavy makeup, as if saying I was
I clenched my fists, holding back my temper to avoid trouble, and only asked if they wanted to drink.
If they didn’t want to drink, they shouldn’t waste my time earning money.
That girl probably felt I wasn’t giving her face and yelled at me: “What kind of attitude is this? I’m talking to you, can’t you hear? You’re so ungrateful.”
–
She pointed at a bottle of hard liquor and said to me: “Alright, Lily, you like money, right? Drink this whole bottle in one go, and I’ll give you $30,000.”
Drinking that whole bottle would probably land me in the hospital.
Emma pretended to be a bit anxious and tried to persuade the girl: “Didn’t we agree we
were just coming to tal
Sat, Feb 13
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one point at a Dullie van a safe. Anyi, Lily, you like money, mym: Drink this whole bottle in one go, and I’ll give you $30,000!”
Drinking that whole bottle would probably land me in the hospital.
Emma pretended to be a bit anxious and tried to persuade the girl: “Didn’t we agree we were just coming to take a look, not to give Lily a hard time?”
“Although people say she’s good at seducing men and told me to be careful of her, even Ryan said I’m too naive and worried she might bully me.”
“But I’m fine.”
I listened quietly to Emma’s words and understood that she was telling me how much Ryan liked her and how much he disliked me.
Ismiled without saying anything, only asking her friend: “So, you said if I drink this whole bottle, you’ll give me $30,000, right?”
Then I grabbed the bottle from the table and started chugging it.
Everyone was stunned, not expecting that I would risk my life for money.
Emma grabbed my hand, gently trying to persuade me: “Lily, how can you abuse yourself like this for money?”
“As women, we should know what shame is. I didn’t want to say this, afraid you’d be upset, but do you know that Ryan hates women like you the most…”
I finished the bottle, fighting the intense pain in my stomach, and interrupted her, asking: “Where’s the money?”
“What Ryan likes or hates has nothing to do with me. I just want the $30,000 you promised me.”
Emma frowned, looking at me with disappointment, and said in a soft voice: “Lily, to be honest, that $30,000 is just pocket change for me. I could give it to anyone, but I just can’t give it to you.”
“You can blame me, but I’m doing this for your own good. I can’t watch you continue to
11:30 Sat, Feb 15
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give it to you.”
“You can blame me, but I’m doing this for your own good. I can’t watch you continue to degrade yourself…”
Her friend pushed me and laughed: “I was just messing with you earlier. I’m not giving you any money. What can you do about it?”
I coldly laughed along with her, then raised my hand and smashed the empty bottle hard. The shattered glass splashed onto Emma’s leg, cutting a wound that started to bleed.
Emma’s tears instantly fell, and the women who had been noisy just moments ago all fell
silent.
The next second, the door of the private room opened, and Ryan stood in the doorway, looking at me coldly.
I froze on the spot, not daring to look into his eyes.
My heavy makeup, entertaining men for money, drinking with them to make them happy Ryan had seen it all.
Actually, I didn’t care if others looked down on me. I just didn’t want Ryan to know how miserable my life had become.
But in the end, even this small wish couldn’t be fulfilled.
I could only use all my strength to pretend not to care, forcing myself to look up watch Ryan wrap his arms around Emma, gently wiping away her tears.
Then he asked me word by word: “Lily, who are you bullying in front of me?”
“You want money? Fine, apologize first.”
and
I watched Ryan protect Emma, remembering how he used to protect me like this long
ago.
knew Ryan wanted me to make Emma happy.
11:30 Sat, Feb 15 O
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I knew Ryan wanted me to make Emma happy.
It’s okay. For money, I could do anything.
Emma hid in Ryan’s arms, secretly smiling at me.
I looked at the wound on her leg, picked up a piece of broken glass, and viciously cut myself.
Then I stretched out my bloody hand and calmly said to Ryan: “Give it to me, the $30,000.”
Ryan looked at me, his eyes suddenly turning red.
Seeing Ryan’s expression, the smile on Emma’s face froze for a moment. She took out a bank card and put it in my hand, saying softly: “Lily, I’m giving you money today not because I owe you, but because I don’t want to be like you, making such a scene for a little money!”
I couldn’t be bothered to watch her act noble anymore. I took the money and was about to leave when Ryan grabbed me.
He called my name, gritting his teeth as he cursed at me: “Lily, doesn’t it fucking hurt? Will you die without money?”
The way he frowned tightly, it seemed like he cared.
I forcefully shook off his hand, turned back, and said with a cold smile: “I’ve always been a woman who loves money, Ryan. Don’t you know that?”
“Mind your own business, and take care of your woman. Don’t come bothering me again.”
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