Chapter 3 Bottomless Pit
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"Neil, how could you even say that? That's my dad! He's the only family I have left in this world!"
Neil knew he'd said the wrong thing, but the frustration was eating at him. He hated that he didn't have enough money to help her.
Over the past few years, he'd watched her dodge death countless times in the ring. Broken bones were practically routine. And now, it had reached the point where she was selling herself just to survive…
No matter how hard she fought, her father's massive gambling debt was like a bottomless pit.
Neil looked away, his expression heavy with guilt. "Don't go. It's not just a million anymore."
Lucy looked utterly spent. She asked with a shaky voice, "What do you mean?"
"He added another five hundred thousand. It's one point five million now. The casino sent someone—gave you three days to come up with the full amount."
Her arms dropped to her sides, completely drained of strength.
1.5 million... that meant she was still short a hundred thousand.
But right now, she didn't even have a single dime left.
Sell her body again?
Alexander's cruel words still echoed in her mind.
No way. Never again.
Biting her lip, she forced herself to straighten up. "It's fine. I'll bring my dad back in two days. I swear."
"Is it really worth it?" Neil couldn't help asking.
Worth it? Lucy had asked herself that same question so many times over the last five years.
But every time, her mind would replay that day—when she got home from school early and saw her dad lying in a pool of blood, his wrists cut open, no blood left to bleed.
Back when they weren't broke, her dad treated her like a princess. Gave her the best of everything for over twenty years. Even ignored her mom's protests and hired a boxing coach, took her to matches, just because it made her happy.
Now, she was only doing what any daughter should.
"As long as I don't have to watch him die... it's worth it. No matter what I have to do."
Her voice was gentle but firm. There was a flicker of innocence in her eyes, mixed with the kind of desperation that burned all the bridges.
"I've gotta go."
As she walked away, looking like she'd lost her soul, Neil's heart ached.
What did this girl do to deserve this kind of life? Why did fate have to be so cruel to her?
After leaving, Lucy wandered alone along the streets.
She racked her brain, but no solution popped up. No idea how to pull together another hundred grand.
At this point, she had only one option left—beg that woman who married rich.
It was late, the air damp with night dew. Dressed all in black, Lucy stood in front of the Carter family's villa.
A fancy car coasted to a stop. A woman in a sleek, high-end gown stepped out gracefully. Despite being in her forties, she was exceptionally well-kept.
From the other side, a stylish young woman with big curls hopped down, all radiance and charm.
Lucy stepped out from the shadows, her stomach turning. Still, she forced herself to speak.
"Mom."
Irene Clark startled, clearly stunned for a few seconds before realizing who it was. The look in her eyes turned cold and annoyed.
"Don't call me Mom. I don't have a daughter who rolls around with men and fights in illegal matches."
Lucy took a deep breath, choosing not to argue. Nothing she said would change anything at this point.
She swallowed the bitterness rising in her throat and got straight to the point.
"I need to borrow a hundred thousand. I can earn it back really fast. I'll pay you within a week."
Irene sneered, eyes filled with contempt and disbelief. "You got some nerve! A hundred grand? Why not go rob a bank while you're at it?"
She didn't get it—what on earth was going through this girl's head? She couldn't help but lash out.
"Useless girl! Your dad and I have been divorced for years. I'd rather feed that money to a dog than give a cent to you two!"
Lucy's lips curled slightly into a bitter smile.
So in her own mother's eyes, she ranked lower than a pet dog.
- Writer
