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In the holding cell at the police station, Shannon sat against the wall, eyes red from a sleepless night. 

“Shannon!” a voice called out. 

Hearing her name, Shannon suddenly looked up and saw her mother, Donna, standing ther 

The guard opened the iron door a crack. “You’ve got ten minutes, he said, then stepped back to 

“Thanks,” 

“Donna said, nodding to the guard as she pushed the door open and stepped inside, 

Shannon pushed herself up from the floor, her moveme 

unsteady, as she moved toward Donna 

them some privacy. 

Donna’s face was pale, her eyes sunken, her cheeks gaunt, and she trembled in her oversized hospital gown–a mix of regret and sorrow Billing Shannon’s eyes. 

“Mom, I’m so sorry. I’ve been such a disappointment, causing you so much pain and shame,” Shannon sobbed, her voice breaking 

Tears welled up in Donna’s eyes, 

“How are you feeling? You look really bad Shannon asked, her voice laced with worry as 

ry as she to 

took in Ironna’s frail appear 

appearance. 

Donna wiped her eyes, her face etched with panic. “Last night, they diagnosed me with kidney cancer, and I had surgery to remove it right away.” Donna’s voice faltered as she clutched her waist in pain and eased down onto the nearby wooden bench 

“Somebody from the hospital brought me here. They didn’t come in, just waiting outside, Donna explained, her voice weak.. 

Shannon’s jaw dropped, and she hurriedly squatted down to help her. “But I thought it was your liver that was the problem? How did it turn out to be kidney cancer!” Shannon’s confusion was evident. 

Donna had struggled with alcohol for as long as Shannon could remember. Three years ago, in Shannon’s freshman year of high school, Donna had collapsed due to liver cirrhosis and was treated at Fraley Hospital. Despite recovering, Donna had fallen back into her drinking habits, and her health continued to deteriorate. 

Donna had been a frequent patient at Fraley Hospital over the years. Just a week ago, Shannon had visited her, and the doctors were optimistic about her recovery, saying she would be discharged soon. ‘Now, a sudden surgery for kidney removal? Shannon mused. 

Donna saad with deep regret and pain. “Slunnon, I’ve brought this all on myself. I’m so sorry for everything” 

Shannon bit her lip hard, trying to suppress the desp 

despair and pain welling up nude her. 

“What do we do now? Will your health be okay?” Shannon asked, her voice thick with 

worry Material © of NôvelDrama.Org.

“You know my condition. With only one kidney left, I can’t hold on“ Dorina said, her voice filled with fear. “But the doctors have found a suitable donor. I can have a transplant and hopefully recover” 

She paused, then suddenly grabbed Shannon’s hands Lightly. “Shannon, you need to confess! Turn yourself in and say you pushed Lily downstairs.” 

Shannon felt as if she’d been struck by lightning, and she sank to her knees. “Mom, did you come here just to make me confess?” she asked, her voice filled with disbelief 

Shannon had grown up in a single–parent family. Donna, burdened by alcohol addiction, often neglected her. Sometimes, Donna would disappear for months, leaving Shannon in the care of kind neighbors. 

Despite these challenges, Shannon was resilient. As a child, she managed on her own, and by the time she was in middle school, she was taking care of Donna. She excelled in school, earning a full scholarship to Vaporleon High School, and even managed to secure treatment for Donna during her serious illness. But now, Donna was here, demanding a confession. 

“Mom, do you know what will happen if I confess!” Shannon said desperately. 

Donna’s expression grew cold. “The Berry family promised you won’t get the death penalty” 

Shannon collapsed to the ground, overwhelmed by despair and disappointment. In her heart, Donna had never truly been a nurturing mother, and over the years, Shannon’s resentment had grown. Now, it was mixed with deep despair and disillusionment. 

“Not the death penalty?” Shannon scoffed bitterly, her face twisting with anger and pain. “That’s still a life sentence in prison!” 

“I’ll be branded a murderer, doomed to spend the rest of my life in a cell, hated and despised by everyone, living in darkness, wishing for death.” Shannon cried out in despair. 

Donna, suddenly furious, rriorted. “What’s wrong with your 

yout I raised you, and you can’t even make this sacrifice to save me? In Donna’s eyes, there 

5:10 PM 

was no maternal bond, only self–preservation 

“You call that raising me?” s Shannon shot back, her voice trembling with years of pent–up hurt. 

She looked at Donna with a sarcastic smile, her tears drying up, feeling a deep, aching void inside. “Mom, do you even remember my fifth birthday! You left me alone at the train station and just disappeared. In the dead of winter, during a snowstorm, I waited at that station for three days and nights, hungry and freezing” 

“You disappeared for ten months. If you hadn’t come back, I would have been fin 

been fine on my own, Shannon declared desperately 

“Do you even know why you could stay at Fraley Hospital? Do you know where the money for your medical bills came from?” Shannon’s turned red with anger, “I borrowed it from Helen!”“” 

She then s 

ispat out the words. “I borrowed money for your treatments, and in return, I had to be her puppet. For the last three years. I’ve done everything she asked. Bullied my classmates, tormented Lea, and committed all those desparable acts.” 

Shannon pointed to her chest, her voice shaking with self–loathing. Thate myself for it. I’ve become the very person I despise. I could’ve lived my life openly, the way I wanted. You’re getting better, ready to leave the hospital, and I’m getting ready for the SAT. I thought I just had to endure it until now, but it’s all fallen apart 

With her grades, Shannon knew she could am for top universities, not just settle for Conrad University. She could take control of her life, choose her path, and have a bright future. 

“But now, you want me to confess?” she b 

burst out, her frustration boiling over. “You’ve ruined everything! You’ve ruined my life!” 

“Shut up!” Donna snapped harshly. “I’m your mother! Without me, you wouldn’t even be here to see this world” 

Shannon fell silent instantly, Is my life merely a pawn that Donna could just manipulate and sacrifice just because she is my mother?” she thought bitterly. 

Donna noticed Shannon’s reaction and suddenly softened her approach. “Shannon, stop overthinking it. Is Lea even worth all this fuss?” 

She clasped Shannon’s hand again, her voice desperate. “Shannon, we’re talking about my life here! I’m only thirty–eight; I’ve got a lot of life left Are you really going to let me die?” 

As Shannon assessed Donna, each of Donna’s arguments seemed to increase her agitation, and blood began seeping through her hospital gown at her surgical wound reopened 

e terrified of dying,” she explained, her knees buckling as 

Donna winced from the pain, bending over and sweating profusely. “The pain n makes me she fell to the ground and clutched Shannon’s arm. “Please, Shannon, save my life.” 

Tears rolled down Donna’s cheeks, her plea filled with a raw, desperate sincerity. “You’re not even eighteen yet. If you confess, the worst they could do is sentence you to life. Just keep your head down, and you might have a chance later. The Berry family can hire the best lawyers money can buy. With Christian’s influence, all the top officials in Vaporleon City owe him favors. Once things calm down, they’ll work to get your sentence reduced 

She then added. “Imagine, you might be out in twenty years, ten, or maybe even five. You’d still be so young, with your whole life ahead of you” 

“Morn, you’re being way too naive!” Shannon retorted, the supposed reassurance only heightening her anxiety, 

“I’m not,” Donna snapped back defiantly, her eyes intense with a twisted spark of resolve. “You don’t understand how the world of the rich and powerful works. Anything is possible. Even life and death, sickness, you can manipulate everything” 

SUND GIFT