lyn

M, and I drag myself out of the thin mattress I share with Sal

shoes that I've glued back together twice. I rebraid my hair into

assava flakes that will serve as breakfa

to work early

hospital first. Check

n said he will s

hot water over the garri, stirring until it forms a th

My stubborn girl. You

twelve(malaria that we couldn't afford to treat pr

nsists, pushing a bowl

day ahead. Hospital. Work. Market shift in the evenin

ressed against other early-morning workers. We're all exhausted

find Dr. Okoro at the nurses' sta

mediately. "Your mother's results

do the

that smells like coffee and stress). He

ews. However..." He pauses, and that pause makes my stomach drop.

s slightly. "

r check-ups, a strict diet, and these medications." He hands m

will all t

be about twenty-five thousand monthly. The check-

thousand na

terling Towers. Another fifteen fr

h doesn

cheaper alternatives?"

"Miss Adesua, I know this is difficult. But your mother's health can't be compr

ailure. The words

have? To figure

he medication this we

the prescription, thank h

indifferent to my crisis. I sit on a bench outside the h

e thousan

here? I'm already working six days

ld as

usand. I can't keep going to him

ld as

n know who

e buzze

ults. We need to talk. Can you co

en them already? The hospi

n't pay for ki

What

ble. I'll have secu

en AM. My shift doesn

there in th

d numb. The morning traffic is already b

ing light. Glass and steel reflecting the sunrise

e elevator to the executive floor feels surreal(I

amed Bimpe who usually ignores

terling is expectin

to his office a

stands when I enter. He's in another

He gestures to the chairs f

bag. The prescript

akes the chair beside mine, angling it so we'

our mother's res

Dr. Okoro

eds ongoing treatment

t trustin

elbows on his knees

ave helped. Mo

ablish a medical account for your mother. Enough to cover her

"That's... that's o

." He says it like it's nothing. Like that'

ould you do this? You don't know me. You

t have to

you want?" I'm standing now, agitation driving me to my

too close, the air between us charg

t there's something burning underneath. "I want to see you not d

ruptly, jaw

ress. "You

ays ago, and something in me... shifted. Then your mother collapsed and I saw you terrified, and I knew I couldn't just walk away. And no

ff again, t

uietly. "I have resources. You need

licated and confusing and I don't understand w

the look in his eye

o. So let me help. No strings. No e

ide demands it. Inde

the balance, and pride is

r. "Every kobo. It might take

ve

ept your help, but it's a lo

eyes. "Fine. It's a loan. Interest-free

later,

extends his

strong, offering me salv

ake

warm. He doesn't l

you," I

e my accountant set up the medical account today. You'l

r. Ste

eo

l feeling strange on my tongue.

moment, studying me wi

people," he finally says. "And I'd li

ng he's said, and it cra

s office phone buzzes. H

" He looks almost... reluctant? "But I

Thank you

but his voice sto

ve

ok b

iling windows, looking every inch the billionaire CEO

tonight," he says. "Thi

act same thing Ric

men telling me

isn't lo

omise, and sli

against the wall, try

eight mill

Ma

an I bar

t me like I

n number, but I recognize

ust checking if you ma

ge, then at Leo's of

f protection. Two set

at I'm supposed

start my shift, Mama's prescription

like a

of something I don