Jenna Roland crossed her arms, fingertips tapping lightly against her sleeves.

"My brother has a weak heart," she murmured, her voice feather-light. "When the test results come out, I hope you're prepared to face the consequences."

The car fell into abrupt silence.

Zhou Xian'e and Xu Chan both stiffened in their seats.

Xu Chan dug her nails into her palms. "His medical condition has nothing to do with us!"

"Oh, but it does." Jenna lifted her gaze. "Your son's punch could have triggered a severe deterioration." She paused. "Medical bills, emotional damages, long-term treatment—surely you're not planning to skip out on paying?"

"You—!" Xu Chan's voice rose sharply. "My son is still hospitalized!"

Jenna nodded. "I'll cover every cent of his expenses." Her eyes flicked to the neon lights streaking past the window. "But my brother's bills? You'd better be ready to pay up too."

From the driver's seat, Liu Shen tightened his grip on the steering wheel. "How much for the surgery?"

"One point two million." The number left Jenna's lips just as the rearview mirror caught the redness rimming her eyes. "After our parents passed, it's just been the two of us."

Milo Roland suddenly broke into violent coughing from the passenger seat.

Liu Shen hesitated before offering tissues. He'd seen plenty of girls hustling drinks at clubs, but never one whose white blouse was worn thin from too many washes.

"Working at a place like that..." He couldn't help himself.

"Pays well." Jenna cut him off. "Once his surgery's done, I'm quitting."

A muffled sob came from the backseat. Milo buried his face in his school uniform sleeve, the fabric darkening with tears. He remembered the sound of his sister's footsteps returning at 3 AM, the scars on her hands from broken bottles.

Zhou Xian'e tugged at Xu Chan's sleeve. Both mothers stared at the girl's scuffed heels and said nothing more.

The wail of an ambulance grew closer. As Jenna pushed the car door open, Liu Shen murmured, "Let me see the medical records."

The night wind lifted her thin shirt, revealing the pain-relief patch on her waist.