Cost of a Lie

The young woman agreed at once. Then, she carefully asked for my permission and posted my story online.

On the screen, my face was sallow and gaunt, and my clothes were in rags. For a second, I almost did not recognize myself. I used to care so much about looking pretty.

Then, a thought came to me. I wanted to look beautiful when I died.

I counted the money in my hand. I was still tens of dollars short of buying some proper clothes for when I died. I could make that much by collecting bottles, however. Still, my muscles had almost completely wasted away. I really could not walk anymore.

I could only make my way to the mall entrance and ask someone to help me write a few large words on a piece of cardboard: [Can you give me your empty plastic bottles? Thank you!]

However, there were still plenty of kind people. By the end of the day, the bag in front of me was full, and I sold the bottles for more than ten dollars.

But I had not expected the young woman's video to go viral, drawing sympathy and attention from countless strangers.

The next day, my bag was full as soon as I reached the mall. Just as I struggled to pick it up, James kicked it away. "Alicia! Why did you put that video online? Were you trying to make people pity you so they would attack Tina and torment her emotionally instead? Delete it right now and tell everyone the truth!"

I let out a mocking laugh. "The truth? Isn't that... The truth?"

Even speaking was getting hard for me, and I could no longer control my facial expression.

James rubbed his brow in disgust, as if he had just heard the most ridiculous joke in the world. Then, he sneered, "What's the point of doing all this? You made such a huge scene because you wanted me to bring you home early, didn't you? Fine. You can't even wait for another two weeks, and you insist on going against me? Let's see how far you get."

He nodded as if he had seen through everything, his eyes dark and emotions unreadable.

After James left, I tried not to think about it. I kept collecting bottles and selling them for money. I calculated that after a few more bags, I would have enough for the clothes.

But that afternoon, the blogger called me. She was sobbing, her voice full of guilt. "I'm so sorry. I probably can't help you make your wish come true anymore. My account was shut down, and my home was smashed. My grandma got so upset that she ended up in the ICU. I even have to borrow money for her treatment."

The young woman sounded like she was emotionally falling apart. "I'm sorry. I'm really sorry. I don't know why everything was clearly getting better, but in just one hour, it all changed..."

My head buzzed.

I had never thought… I truly never thought that James would go this far for Tina. It was one thing to hurt me, but why did he have to hurt another innocent person?

I called a cab and had the driver take me to the Jennings villa.

I grabbed a bottle and threw it at James. "What right do you have to treat that young woman like that?!"

James turned around and looked at me sternly. "Do you know how much trouble you two caused this time? Tina saw the comments attacking her, and that triggered her depression! She almost killed herself! I'll explain everything to Mom and Dad in two more weeks! I'll use everything I have to make it up to you, and everything will end then. Your partner in crime will naturally improve, too."

I suddenly laughed until my vision blurred.

When everything ended, I would already be dead. What use was compensation that came too late?

Just then, the door opened. "Tina, we're back. Look what we brought you..."