Chapter 40

"Mom, just give me a little more time. I'll get the money ready," I pleaded, desperately trying to pull Mom out of the office. But she saw right through me, jerking her arm away forcefully. "Don't lie to me! Do you think I don't know exactly how much money you have? All these years, what have you earned? You bought me a house, covered some expenses, and the rest? You've spent it all on Sophie. "Now they're suddenly demanding over 200 hundred dollars. Where on earth are you going to find that kind of money?" Mom glared at me and continued, "I'm your mother. You wouldn't stand by and watch them force me to death, would you?" "I won't, Mom. I'll figure something out." I said all that, but I had no idea where I could borrow that much money. The day I sold my car, I'd already considered selling my shares in the company—the only valuable thing I had left. But the company's prospects had dimmed, and the stock value had plunged. Selling my shares now wouldn't bring in much, and I didn'