The hospital lights blinked again and again above her. The buzzing sound would not stop. It felt like the noise went straight into Liora's head, making it hard for her to think. She held a warm cup of coffee, hoping it would help calm her but it made even worse because it was flat and bitter. The drink did nothing. It only reminded her how bitter and hard her life felt at that moment. She walked to the front desk and tried to smile. But deep down she knew it was all an act.
The woman at the counter was strict. Her hair was in a tight bun. Her uniform was neat. She pushed a paper toward Liora. "$500,000," she said, flat. There was no sympathy at all.
Liora's mouth opened in shock. The fake smile instantly vanished. She wanted to shake the woman, make her understand but Instead, she lifted her hand and pointed at the huge number. Her finger was shaking. She felt the Devil had a hand in this.
"This… this has to be wrong. There are charges here for things that never happened. Tests we never asked for. My mother never even got half of these treatments you need to look over them again."
The woman did not react. Her face stayed blank. "You have to talk to the billing department. You can file a complaint, but it takes time. We cannot continue treatment until the full amount is paid or a payment plan is made miss."
"But… but my mom," Liora said, her voice breaking. "She needs help now. I have ten thousand dollars. Can't you do something with that? Just start something?"
The woman was like a wall. "I understand, Miss Hayes. But these are the rules. No payment, no treatment. There is nothing I can do miss."
Half a million dollars. Ten thousand was her entire life savings, just great. Liora pushed away the hopeless feeling. She tried to think about her mother… her soft smile, her warm hands. She closed her eyes for a few seconds.
She found a bench in a quiet hallway. It was the only calm place she could find. The words "half a million dollars" repeated in her mind and brought her back to reality. She took out her phone and started calling anyone she could. Family. Friends even old co-workers. Every call ended the same way. People spoke kindly, but their words were all filled with empty promises. They sounded like they cared, but no one could really help her.
"I'm so sad to hear about your mom, Liora. I wish I could help, but…" That "but" was at each call.
She shut her eyes tight and bit her lip until she tasted blood. "I can't lose her. She's everything. The only one I have left after dad died. The one person who believed in her, even when she did not believe in herself."
The darkness in her mind tried to her. She breathed deeply and steadied herself. She would fight. For her mother. She would not give up.
The automatic doors opened and cold evening air hit her face. The city was loud and bright. Cars moved quickly, their red and white lights flashing like lines in the almost dark day. Everything around her felt wild and messy, like her thoughts. Her legs felt heavy. Her eyes needed sleep. She needed to get far away from the hospital as possible.
Half a million dollars. She could only get that amount in one night if she made a deal with the devil… she chuckled.
Her chest felt tight and again and she began to walk faster, trying to calm herself. She walked down one street, then another, not thinking where she was going. After a while, she realized she had entered a richer part of the city. The air felt cleaner and the buildings were taller.
A black car slowed beside her. It looked shiny and expensive. The tinted window rolled down. She saw him. Darian Volkov?! She remembered him from a bar some days ago. His face looked like cold ice…. Observing her while his gaze was sharp, she knew he meant trouble.
Beside him sat Xavier. His face was calm but his stare made her feel cold inside. Obviously he wasn't the kind of guy to be messed with… something about him was unsettling.
Xavier spoke first, his voice smooth and dangerous. "Miss… You look like you're having some trouble." He paused, studying her. "We might be able to help you."
Darian stayed silent. His presence filled the car. His eyes never left her face. She felt exposed.
Xavier held out a dark card. It felt serious, important. The letters read: "Luminaire Enterprises." There was a phone number at the back.
"You need cash," Xavier said quietly. "We help people with problems most cannot even dream of." He paused. His eyes were bright. "Call us when you are at the end of your options."
Darian watched her. She looked at the card. She stepped back but held it tightly.
"No!" she said, shaking her head. "I'm not interested. I don't need your help."
Xavier smiled. He knew how desperate she was.
The window rolled up again, shutting them inside. The black car sped away into the night. Liora stood alone on the sidewalk. She pinched herself to check if she was dreaming.
When she reached her apartment hallway, her landlord, a big man, waited outside. He looked tired and angry.
"Miss Hayes, your rent is late again!" he snapped. "Three months. Pay up, or get out."
Liora's eyes widened. The walls felt like they were closing in. "Please," she begged, tears in her eyes. "Just one more day please. I'll have the cash soon. I promise."
He sighed. "I have heard it all before, Miss Hayes. You need to leave when sunrise comes." He walked away, leaving the threat ringing in her ears.
The lock made a loud noise as she opened the door. Her safe place did not feel safe anymore.
Liora stood there, holding the Black card. It reminded her of what she was thinking. She might have to make a hard choice.
Inside her apartment, she felt like she could not breathe. She sank onto the old sofa and thought about her situation.
The card in her pocket felt heavy. Heavy like her mother's sickness. She knew she needed a solution… fast even if it came from dealing with one of the most dangerous men in the county.
For the first time that day, she asked herself if she really had a choice other than making a deal with Devil. She looked at a photo of her and her mom, smiling together. "I can't do this," Liora thought.
Her phone rang. She answered. It was the hospital.
"Miss Hayes?" a cold, serious voice said. "Your mother's situation is worsening at fast rates, We need to begin…"
Liora hung up quickly. She already knew what she had to do.
She stared at the card for a long moment…. Luminaire Enterprises. The name itself was frightening.
She took a deep breath and closed her eyes.