Scars Written by Love

"You don't care about your mother?" the leader sneered, roughly patting my face. "What a shameless, money-grubbing loser! If you don't have money, pay with your body. One round, ten grand. Let's see how many you can handle."

I thrashed, trying to escape, but they held me down, tearing my clothes to rags.

I reached for Evelyn. "Mom, make them stop!"

She looked conflicted. "I want to help, but I'm powerless."

I didn't know how long the assault lasted, only that dawn was breaking when it ended.

The last man zipped up his pants and noticed my locket peeking out. He ripped it off. "Boss, she's got a locket."

"Give it back!" I crawled toward him despite my aching body.

"Like I want your junk," the leader snorted, smashing the locket on the floor.

I clutched the fragments, rage and despair choking me. I couldn't understand why I had to endure this.

I lunged at Evelyn, blood trailing behind me. "This was the director's keepsake. Why wouldn't you let me go? What do you want from me?"

She looked away, guilt flickering.

Suddenly, I was thrown to the ground. Natalie appeared, clinging to Evelyn. "Kathy Deleon, how can you be so selfish? Mom is not well. You know it and still upset her? What are you plotting?"

Evelyn's guilt vanished, giving way to disappointment. "When will you be as sensible as Natalie? She sold her kidney to help us, and you won't even give a finger."

Stunned, I looked up to see Natalie's smug, challenging stare. I was the one who sold a kidney, and she claimed the credit.

I lunged to hit her, but before I could, she collapsed dramatically, clutching her stomach. "My wound!"

Evelyn scooped her up, distraught. "Natalie!"

Then she slapped me across the face. "I don't have a heartless daughter like you! We're done!"

I crumpled to the floor, clutching the locket's shards and laughing like a madwoman. I couldn't keep going anymore. They didn't love me, only seeing Natalie as family.

"What are you waiting for? Do it!" Evelyn snapped at the loan sharks. "Make her pay for Natalie's suffering!"

My abdomen was sliced open, the agony of them rummaging through my body overwhelming. The pain deprived me of my voice, and cold sweat poured down.

The leader looked up, puzzled. "She's only got one kidney left."