BEYOND THE CONTRACT.

mont

een tired for weeks," Sophia sa

ospital bed, weakly smiled. "I'm fin

u collapsed at home. That's not exhaustion,

nd she looked away. "I'll be

strong one, the one who took care of everyone else.

r's condition, Sophia couldn't help but think about her own life. She worked as a cleaner at a well known s

s, Sophia felt like her whole wor

tor with a kind face emerged from the doorway. "Sophia, r

p to greet the doctor. "Y

waiting room. "Please, have a seat. I want t

t down. She had a feeling tha

ests", Dr Thomas began. "It appears that she has a heart valve problem. Sp

hed in the gut. "What does that ev

he should be fine. But we need to act quickly. The l

ing to process the information

meantime , we'll need to run some other tests and also place her

wash over her. She would do whatever it took t

ll cost approximately $150,000, but the drugs to keep he

h price tag, but nothing could have prepared her for this. S

d that?" Sophia asked, tryi

that's a lot to take in. I know how kind your m

ral, doctor" Sophia said, feeling

we'll see how it goes fro

s. The bright sunlight outside the hospital was a stark contrast to the dimly lit

ng. She had so many questions, so many worries. But s

g a sense of determination wash over her. She

trip club, and how she was going to find a way to make more money to pay for her mother's s

tions. She was scared, worried, and unsure of what the f

od up to get off. She walked the few blocks to her apart

space, with a comfortable couch and a small TV. But it was also a reminder of Sophia's limited means. She

nt, her eyes landed on a photo of her and her mother. They were smiling and happy. Hot tears r

boss at the strip club, and see if she could pick up more shifts. She would also

y for the surger

sense of purpose and determination, she k

was the doctor with some good news. But instead, it was her boss from t

as about to lose her job. But she took

ght," her boss said. "The other cleaner

about her mother and the surgery she neede

exhaustion. But she knew she had t

looking guy in his late 20s. As they sat on the couch, he took Sop

n. "I just don't know how I'm going to pay for the surgery Alex

"I know I don't have a lot of money, but I want to help. I can give you the $4000 to help pay for your mom's medication,

rprise. "Alex, I don't know

g my money Sophia, but my help. I want

She knew that he was struggling financially, just like her.

barely above a whisper. "Thank you so much

rd to the

d at the other end when she answer