Total pages in book: 173
Estimated words: 163802 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 819(@200wpm)___ 655(@250wpm)___ 546(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 163802 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 819(@200wpm)___ 655(@250wpm)___ 546(@300wpm)
“Because the last doctor I went to would’ve been better off selling snake oil behind a donkey’s ass.”
He barked a startled laugh.
“He was completely disorganized, unreliable, and not good about updating patient files,” I said, flapping my hand at the papers. “That’s why I spent money I don’t have for this consultation with you. You’re the best fertility doctor in three counties. There must be something you can do for me.”
He smiled softly. “You flatter me, Ms. Kim, and believe me when I say that I want to help you, but it appears that IVF is simply something that you cannot afford at this time. When your financial situation changes, please return. When you do, I swear to you that no matter how busy my schedule is, I will make time for you.
“I’ll help you make this dream come true.”
“But—”
“I’m afraid that’s all we have time for today.” He rose out of his seat. “Allow me to escort you to the door.”
Abrupt. Direct. Not unkind, but firm. No doubt the tone and dismissal he used on many a person or couple that came in here hoping that a sob story would persuade him not to force them to mortgage their home for their future.
Swallowing my protests, I turned off my recorder, stood, and let him walk me out the door.
My wedges hit the sidewalk by the time my phone went off. I declined the call without even looking at it, trudging to my car. The 1987 Dodge Charger was a sleek, black beauty back in its day.
But now it was a dented, rusted-over piece of crap that groaned every time I turned the key. Loud and clear it demanded to know why I wouldn’t let it fall apart in peace, but it wasn’t allowed to take the easy way out.
That car was the only thing I was allowed to take when Omma threw me out. She barely let me have the clothes on my back, and even those weren’t left unscathed. I rubbed my throat, slowing down as I was thrown back to the night Omma ripped my shirt tearing Halmeoni’s necklace from my neck.
She had no right to it. My grandmother left me that necklace in her will, but when I unwisely made that argument, my mother slapped me so hard across the face, my head nearly popped off.
I wasn’t worthy of Halmeoni’s necklace. I wasn’t worthy to walk the halls where she once lived. And I wasn’t worthy to stand before her then, crying about what I was entitled to after shaming myself and my family in the most hideous way.
All of that my mother screamed at me... as my sister watched from the shadows—laughing.
I ripped out of the memory when my phone went off again. Checking the screen, I bit off a curse and accepted the call—hitting record before I said a word.
“What.”
His oily, skin-crawling laugh oozed through the phone. “Now, now, Sarah. Is that any way to answer your boss? I would’ve thought I’m so sorry, Dan, please tell me what I can do to make it up to you would’ve been much more appropriate considering you’re three hours late for your shift.”
I continued to my car, riffling around in my bag for my keys. “So fire me.”
“I’m not doing that. And you wouldn’t want me to do that.”
I tensed. “What wouldn’t I want you to do, Dan? Release sex tapes we made when we were dating and I thought we were in love—”
“We’re still dating and we’re still in love.”
“No, we’re not! We haven’t been since I walked in on you screwing the line cook!”
“I apologized for that a dozen times.”
“No, you didn’t,” I hissed. “You said I’m sorry you had to see that and I’m sorry you were hurt.”
“Exactly.”
“No, not exactly, dumbass. We’ve been through that a dozen times, and I’ve got the recordings to prove it, so cut it out with your gaslighting garbage. Fake-ass apologies like that put all the responsibility on me for what happened, instead of on you.”
“Fine, then I take all the responsibility. I’m sorry. End of sentence,” he said. “We good?”
If I could’ve reached through the phone and punched him, the dickhead would be missing five teeth. “Okay, yes, fine,” I gritted. “We’re good. Apology accepted. Now we can break up and move on from each other with no hard feelings.”
“If that happens, then I’ve got no reason to keep these little home videos we made to myself.”
I tossed my head. “It amazes me how you have no shame over blackmailing me, even when you know I’m recording every word you say. Danny boy, if you release those videos, I’ll sue you for everything you have. The judge won’t be too sympathetic when she listens to my home records.”
“True,” he breezed, “but how is the two hundred and twelve dollars I’ve got in my bank account going to lift your spirits when the whole world is watching your flat ass bounce on my lap? The future Little Kim is going to have quite a hard time at school when all the bullies are flashing your tits in their face—”