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Taking the chance that Mom was distracted by pain,she hit the call button hard until nurses restrained Mom.
"James,I'm divorcing you!I'll sue your whole family for fraud!"Sarah screamed,her hair loose and messy,her lips bleeding.
I wasn't surprised.She knew it was a trap but married in anyway.
In my fifth year into working,Mom called,saying James was getting married and the bride demanded a $100,000 dowry.
She expected me,the big sister,to pay.
I was furious,my stomach twisting."You took away one of my kidneys—wasn't that enough?I'm a wreck,no company wants me. $100,000?Should I rob a bank?"
Her mean voice crackled through the phone."I don't care if you rob or sell yourself—just get me $100,000 by the end of the month,or you're dead."
I hung up,trembling with rage.I ignored her.
But then they showed up at my workplace,demanding money.
If I refused,they threatened to expose the fact that I had only one kidney.
I had to fake my medical exam to get this job—if I lost it,I'd never survive in the city.
So I gave them everything I had.
Mom's eyes narrowed,sneering."I raised you—I know you've got more.Give the rest by next week."
Mom,you know me so well.
But you won't leave me a shred of mercy.
My heart grew colder,and I made a demand."Fine,but I’ll change my last name. This will be the last thing I do for you"
She exploded."Think you can escape me by changing your name?Never!"
"No rush,"I said."But I heard the bride's pregnant.Without that$100,000,she'll abort your grandson.Can you bear that?"
A sharp slap landed on my face.
"You wretch,how dare you threaten me!"
She raised her hand again,but I caught it in the air.
"You taught me this,Mom.I'll wait for your answer."
Watching her storm off,I already started regreting meddling .
For Sarah’s sake,I had warned her about James's condition.
But for money, instead she my family where I was.
What I didn't expect was Mom selling our old house,striking a deal with Sarah to keep me in the family rather than demand more money.
Mom,if you had shown me half the care you gave James—even you do that only for my money—would it have mattered?
But you wouldn't even pretend to care.
Kicked out of the room,James groveled at Sarah's door,apologizing.
Mom comforted him."Don't worry,there’s a child to tie her down now—she can't run."
"Really,Mom?"James looked heartbroken,making Mom hate Sarah more.
"The priority now is getting Claire to donate her kidney to Tommy.Once he's fine,everything will be fine for our family again."
