Chapter 13 I’ll Quit
Then help me see what’s wrong. Shana requested.
Jocelyn nodded gently, placing her fingers delicately on Shana’s wrist as she focused, trying to feel her pulse
Finished
Shana’s health was poor–her energy and blood were both lacking, made worse by malnutrition and a persistent cough that just wouldn’t go away.
After a moment of silence, Jocelyn slowly withdrew her hand. “Mom, have you ever donated blood before?”
Shana paused for a moment, unsure, but then nodded.
Richard, who had been listening nearby, scoffed. “What do you mean, donate blood? She sold it! With her health, what hospital would let her donate blood?”
Blood donations require a health screening, and someone in poor condition like Shana would never be approved.
“Why did she sell her blood?” Jocelyn asked.
Richard sighed, then explained, “It’s because Ruby wanted an expensive phone.”
Ruby had been eyeing a high–end smartphone, something far too pricey for an average person.
A year ago, Ruby had gone to extreme lengths to get it, even threatening to starve herself unless Shana bought her the phone.
Being a loving mother, Shana couldn’t hear to see Ruby suffer, so she went to a questionable clinic and sold her blood to get the money for the phone.
That decision only worsened Shana’s already fragile health,
Shana had always been a caring mother.
Unfortunately, Ruby hadn’t beer the daughter she deserved.
Beyond selling blood, Ruby had been selfish in many ways.
Not long ago, Ruby had even suggested Shana sell one of her kidneys to buy a house.
If it hadn’t been for the Moores showing up unexpectedly, Shana might have actually gone through with it….
But it didn’t stop there.
Ruby spread rumors, calling Shana a third wheel, and accused her of all sorts of things, disregarding all the love and care Shana had given her.
Richard had never understood how Shana, sach a kind–hearted person, could have such a selfish daughter. It wasn’t until the Moores appeared that he realized the truth..
Ruby wasn’t even Shana’s biological daughter.
The discovery hit Shana hard–after all those years of raising Ruby as her own, to find out she wasn’t even her real child was a
shock.
Now, the child Shana had raised had turned against her, while her biological daughter didn’t care at all. She wouldn’t even acknowledge Shana.
Shana felt like all her sacrifices had been meaningless. There were times she thought about giving up completely. Thankfully. Jocelyn had come back just in time.
Jocelyn quickly wrote out a prescription, her voice gentle. “Mom, after this, I’m going with you to quit the job at the barbecue
Chapter 13 1 Quit
The pay from the barbecue shop wasn’t much, but it helped cover the household bills.
If she quit, how would they survive?
Finished
Jocelyn finished writing the prescription and set down her pen “Mom, your health can’t handle it anymore. If you keep pushing yourself, it could get much worse, even life–threatening
Richard, looking concerned, added, “Shana, you have to listen to Jocelyn. Nothing is more important than your health.
Jocelyn’s immediate diagnosis of Shana’s past blood–selling incident had earned Richard’s full trust in her medical knowledge.
“You two are overreacting.” Shana said, waving them off. I’ve been like this for years. What could possibly go wrong!
Jocelyn didn’t let up. “Mom, if you’re worried about money, don’t. Yesterday, I borrowed 10,000 from a friend to invest in some stocks and financial products.”
The truth was. Jocelyn had actually earned the money through gambling, but she didn’t want Shana to know that. Shana would disapprove of gambling.
Richard, eager to help, pulled out his wallet and handed her the cash. “Shana, this is my salary and bonus from yesterday. From now on, I’ll give you my paycheck to manage
I can’t take your money,” Shana said, refusing.
Richard insisted, “Shana, we’re family. There’s no need to be shy about it. I just want you to get better.”
Shana smiled weakly. I’m really fine.”
As a mother and sister, Shana couldn’t just sit back and let others take care of her. She wasn’t the type to live passively.
Jocelyn fixed her with a determined gaze. “Mom, we’ve just reunited. I don’t want to lose you over something like money. It’s better to make a tough choice now than regret it later. If you insist on working, I’ll leave. It’ll be as if I never had a mother. I’d rather suffer that than the heartbreak later.”
Without waiting for a response, Jocelyn turned and began walking away, not looking back..
“Jocelyn!” Don’t go! Richard quickly grabbed Jocelyn’s arm and turned to Shana. “Shana, you have to make a decision!”
Shana hesitated, feeling torn. Finally, she spoke. Jocelyn, I promise… I’ll quit
Good. Jocelyn’s expression softened into a small smile as she took Shana’s hand. Let’s go then, Mom.
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