Bought for and Paid for

bled as she begged

t you.' Tears streamed down her face as she clutched Elizabe

was filled with her mother's love and dedication. But Elizabeth

bathroom shook Lilith's world. Twenty agonizing m

the toilet!' Lilith pounded o

len

erribly wrong. The locked door seemed impassable, and he

d 911, her words tumblin

o a halt outside. Paramedics burst into t

ealing Elizabeth's body surrounded by

she watched her mother bei

?' Lilith pleaded, her e

a fragile lifeline. 'Don't worry, she

orld was alrea

hought of becoming an orphan at 19 was unbearable. Life without a father had been challengi

. They had arrived at the hospital. Paramedics rus

ting news about her mother's condition. The doctor's calm

ith S

ng. 'Is my mother okay? What happene

However, she has pancreatic cancer, stage 2. Surgery is crucial

, I don't understand. Can I see my mother firs

. 'Yes, of course. But prepare yourself, L

form and pale complexion filled her with dread. The beep

hispered, clutchin

e and labored breathin

e you,' Lilith promised, tea

ow this is overwhelming, but you must be strong for your mother. Surge

who can help with the

mbled. 'No one. My

ion softened. 'The su

'That's impossible! How

he doctor explained. 'Your mother had been paying

thoughts swirled. Why had her m

oice called out, 'L

mother's side, wiping aw

idn't tell you. I didn't want to burden you. I wanted t

'll do anything to make sure

he needed a job to save for the surgery. 'But where

. A sign outside read, 'Waitress needed.' Lilit

rtled her. She pushed aside her reservations; s

th asked, 'Excuse me, whe

you're here to be a waitress? That's cut

pered to her friends, 'Does she reall

t waver. She would do whateve

ited her in. As she entered, Alex's piercing gaze swept o

is voice dripping with amusement. "Please,

firm. "I'm Lilith, but

rners. "Lilly, then. You know t

ded, her he

Alex asked, his tone

ated, then li

"You look younger. I thou

palms gr

ch. "You're not waitress material. You're... stunning. Perfect dancer's

horror. "What are you talk

. "Oh, I think you can. You

he stood, her voice trembl

o leave, Alex's

back, Lilly. I

ank, but she refu

same girls who had mocked her earlier s

cut," one of them said, their laug

disappointment. She vanished into the darkness,

The weight of her mother's illness, the rejection at the club, and

oice broke

today. Everything okay?" Mr. Peter, their

e him. "Yeah, she's okay. She's at the ho

he's feeling better soon. Take care, okay?" He con

space offering a fleeting sense of comfort. She headed straight to the k

The aroma of simmering soup and sizzling vegetables transported her back to a time when life was simp

embled. "But Mom's counting on me. I promised her I'd

e, her heart heavy with the weight of her decision. As she passed

ispered to herself. "Friends, money, a

and strode toward Alex's office. The same girls who had mocked

got what it takes." Their whispers trailed off as Lilith kn

lex's deep vo

y as she turned the handle, ste

aid, a hint of triumph in his v

etermination. "Cut the small

fidence. "You're back with a fire in your belly. I like it.

kage tightened. "It's for

e concern etched on his face. "I'm

neath. "That's personal. Just tell me when I can start.

d onto hers. "I understand.

I don't want to be touched without my cons

e your confidence, Lilly. You've got my word. Nothin

l start tomorrow. I've got the perfect ou

axed slightly, a glimme

of quiet strength. With a subtle smile, she

aid, her voice dripping with con

d glances, their whispers sw

is thi

he's got

hink she had

er walk – l

her head held high, as she disappeared into t

led with love and concern. She approached her mo

hought, settling into a nearby cha

Lilith felt a gentle touch on her hand. She removed

. "I've been waiting for you. I brought your favorite food!"

widened in surpris

s sugar-salt mishap. "Of course, Mom! A

ut playful. "I was wondering if you

r eyes. "Mom, you promised

h emotion. "Lilly, I'm so sorry... for everything. I know it

p with tears as she hug

er's weak ones. "Mom, I need to tell you somethi

nken from illness, sp

is it,

to suffocate her. "I got a job... at a fancy restaurant. They're

over Elizabeth's face. "Oh, Lilith,

dn't bear to reveal the truth – that she'd be dancing in a strip club, not servin

voice cracking. "I want everything to go back to how it used to be

voice weak but full of convict

ack streamed down her face, mingling with the sorrow and de

whispered, her voice choked with emotion. "I trust you, and I

mile, her heart aching with guilt. "For you, Mom. I'll

yes shining with love. "Do what makes you happ

oughts of tomorrow night. She felt a pang of guilt f

, Lilith helped her settle back

ers, filled with gratitude. "Th

g to hide her own dou

tie," Elizabeth whispe

e felt a sense of determination washed over her. S