Chapter 3

As soon as I answered, my father's hoarse, tearful voice came through:

"Aurora, something happened at the factory... That most important order was canceled. We have to pay a penalty... I'm so sorry, I might not be able to afford your college tuition anymore..."

What does it feel like when your world collapses? I didn't know before, but now I did.

That crucial order for my father's factory was with a company under Liam's family. They unilaterally canceled the contract, citing "substandard quality," and demanded a massive penalty.

Our family's economic pillar instantly crumbled. My mother, overwhelmed by stress, suffered a sudden cerebral hemorrhage that night and was rushed to the hospital.

The machines in the ICU beeped, "drip-drip," burning through money every second.

I frantically ran around like a madwoman, humbly knocking on every relative's door.

"Aurora, it's not that I won't lend you money, but your dad's hole is too big, we can't fill it."

"Did your family offend some bigshot? We can't get involved."

I was met with cold shoulders and couldn't borrow a single dollar. College tuition and my mother's medical bills weighed on me like two crushing mountains.

Just when I was at my wit's end, Chloe contacted me.

In a coffee shop across from the city hospital, Chloe, in an elegant dress, pushed a thick envelope toward me.

"Aurora, I heard your mom's in the hospital? Take this money for emergencies."

"I know you like Liam."

I stared at the envelope, not moving.

Chloe sighed, leaning closer, her eyes holding a hint of condescending disdain and malice.

"Oh, by the way, you probably don't know why everyone in class suddenly turned against you that day at the dinner party, do you?"

She lowered her voice and chuckled.

"Before the SATs, I secretly looked at Liam's phone. I picked a few segments of your chats where you actively sought him out and took screenshots. Now, everyone thinks you're a persistent, clingy tramp willing to be a mistress."

My blood instantly rushed backward, and I glared at her.

No wonder! No wonder the whole class was laughing at me!

"Don't be stubborn. You know Liam has a soft spot."

Chloe sat up straight. "This money... consider it peace of mind for you. Don't bother him and his mother anymore, and don't try to use your dad's bankruptcy to gain sympathy, okay?"

I abruptly stood up and splashed a glass of ice water directly onto her face.

"Take your money and get out."

Chloe shrieked, drawing stares from everyone in the coffee shop.

Shortly after returning to the hospital, Liam's call came in.

As soon as I answered, his furious voice exploded:

"Aurora, are you crazy? Why are you taking it out on Chloe! Was that sweet, obedient girl act all fake?"

I leaned tiredly against the wall: "She went to you to complain?"

"She kindly brought you money, and not only are you ungrateful, you splashed water on her?" Liam's voice was full of impatience.

"Let me tell you. My family doesn't owe you anything. Your dad's factory issue is a business problem; he didn't do his quality control properly. Don't blame my family. Chloe isn't well, don't keep bothering her!"

"Business problem?" I laughed, tears streaming down my hand. "Liam, do you dare swear your mom didn't pull strings behind the scenes?"

"Aurora, you're absolutely unreasonable." He coldly threw out one last sentence, "If you keep acting like this, no one can save you."

The call ended.

At eleven PM, the nurse station called: "Family of Room 3, if you don't pay the fees tomorrow, we'll have to stop the medication."

I crouched in the cold hospital hallway, looking at the mere ten-odd dollars remaining on my bank card. Despair washed over me like a tide.

Trembling, I dialed Liam's number.

This was my last time bowing to him.