My Mom's "Cancer" Scam

"Swallow this for the viewers," Mom would whisper, handing me sugar pills.

She built an empire on my fake illness, funded by my pain.

But when a wealthy fan offered a fortune to administer his own "cure," she sold me without a second thought.

He thinks he's a savior. I know I'm the sacrifice.

1.

Mom ended the live stream, wiped away her crocodile tears, and her eyes lit up as she counted the day's earnings.

Meanwhile, I was dizzy, seeing stars, a cold sweat breaking out all over my body from the pain. She didn't even glance my way.