Love is Like Wildfire, It Never Stops1
3 million dollars – that’s the price Jim Marshall offered me to take the place of my sister, who passed away a long time ago, and stay by his side for a year.
“Evelyn, you killed Emma. You should spend your life drowning in guilt, never to be loved,” he said, tossing a thick stack of money at me. His cold eyes narrowed as he looked down on me, his expression filled with contempt.
In the bar, he used a wooden cane to lift my chin, disregarding the last shreds of my dignity, treating me like some pet he was buying at a market.
Everyone around watched with amusement, eager to see my reaction.
They were all former classmates from college. To them, I was always the girl who prided herself on being untouchable, refusing any charity, even when I was dirt poor.
3 million dollars – let’s be honest, that’s more than I’m worth.
So, what would I choose?
Without much hesitation, I grabbed the cane, forcing a smile onto my face.
“All right, Mr. Marshall,” I replied. “From now on, I’m in your care.”
Jim quickly shook off my hand in disgust, his eyes filled with loathing.
His abrupt rejection made me stumble and fall to the ground. My waist collided with the edge of the table, and pain shot through me, but I kept that forced smile on my face.
This was the last shred of dignity I could cling to.
I needed those 3 million dollars.
The crowd laughed louder, their voices dripping with mockery and admiration for Jim.
“Classic Jim! I remember Evelyn from college – she thought she was better than everyone else, too good to accept anyone’s help. Didn’t she always say something like, ‘Poverty doesn’t mean you lack ambition’? Ha! Guess we just didn’t offer enough money!”
“Right? Evelyn, I remember you used to act all high and mighty back then!”
“That’s why Jim is the best! Come on, let’s toast to him!”
My family, the Joneses, were once well-regarded. But after my mom passed, my father brought his longtime mistress and her daughter into the house.
From then on, I was an outsider in my own home.
My half-sister, Emma, became the cherished princess of the Jones family, while I was nothing but a shadow, an insect lurking in the corners.
Even creatures in the darkness dream of the light.
I studied hard and pushed myself to succeed.
My mom always taught me that even if you’re poor, you should still have ambition. I lived by her words, becoming independent and strong.