Chapter 1 Similar but Not the Same

Selena walked outta the doc's office lookin' like a ghost.

Her hand clutchin' the medical report was shakin' so bad, she nearly crumpled the paper without even realizin' it.

She stumbled to a chair in the waitin' area and dropped into it, her breath comin' in short gasps.

"How the hell am I supposed to deal with this?" she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper.

Her head was a mess. The doc's words kept echoing in her brain like a broken record: "Stage three," "emergency surgery," "crazy expensive treatment."

"Chronic kidney care ain't cheap," she sighed, her voice bitter. "And I'm just a broke café waitress with, what, less than ten grand in savings?"

Tears welled up in her eyes, blurrin' her vision. Her mind drifted back to Cloe Miranda, her aunt-the only family she had left.

Cloe was the one who raised her after her parents died in that freak accident years ago.

Now Cloe was the one in need, and her life was hangin' on money Selena couldn't even dream of havin'.

"But I can't lose her," Selena thought, her grip on the report tightenin' like it was the only thing holdin' her together.

A soft voice broke her spiralin' thoughts.

"Selena?"

Her head snapped up. "Yeah?"

"This is the prescription for your aunt," the nurse said, handin' her a small slip of paper.

Selena took it, her hands still shakin'. Her eyes skimmed over the list of meds with names she couldn't even pronounce.

She knew this was just a bandaid fix. What Cloe really needed was way outta reach-a kidney transplant, somethin' that cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.

"You alright?" the nurse asked.

Selena forced a tiny nod, but inside, she felt like she was drowning. Alright? How could she ever be alright?

"Seven hundred grand," she mumbled to herself. "I couldn't make that kinda money even if I worked 24/7 for the rest of my life."

She leaned her head back against the cold, white wall, starin' at the hospital ceiling.

"I need a miracle," she whispered. "Hell, even the devil wouldn't cut me a deal."

Selena stepped into her aunt's hospital room, her heart heavy, but she forced a soft smile onto her face. Cloe Miranda, pale and weak, stirred as Selena walked in.

"Selena," Cloe whispered, reaching out shakily for her hand.

"Cloe, you feelin' any better?" Selena asked, squeezing her hand gently.

"Maybe... but I still don't know what's wrong with me. All I know is... I'm just a burden to you," Cloe said, her voice faint.

"Don't you dare say that," Selena shot back firmly. "You're not a burden. I'll pick up another job if I have to. You'll get better, and we'll go back to being happy like we used to."

Cloe shook her head weakly. "You don't need to do that. I'm old, Selena. You should save your money for your own future, not waste it on me."

"I don't care about that, Cloe. I just want you to get better. That's all that matters," Selena said, her voice trembling with determination.

Cloe didn't argue anymore, but Selena could feel the weight of guilt in her aunt's frail grip.

***

At the Café

Later that afternoon, Selena slipped into her uniform and started her shift at a fancy café in Manhattan, just a few blocks from Central Park.

The place was buzzing with rich folks chattin' away, ordering overpriced lattes and fancy pastries without a second thought.

Selena weaved through the tables, balancing trays of steaming coffee and decadent desserts like a pro, even though exhaustion tugged at her every step.

Up in the corner, a big flat-screen TV blared out entertainment news.

Selena's ears perked up as the anchor's voice echoed through the café, announcing the lavish wedding of Damian Jorch, the billionaire heir, and Elsie Sonata, the renowned socialite and supermodel.

The screen flickered, showing scenes of a bougie venue in The Hamptons, boasting sprawling green hills and a skyline that screamed wealth and extravagance.

The reporter couldn't hold back her excitement, raving about the couple's $2 million bash-crystal chandeliers dripping from the ceiling, lush floral arrangements cascading down every corner, and custom-made golden arches lining the aisle like something out of a fairy tale.

Selena froze mid-step, her tray wobbling slightly as her eyes locked onto Damian Jorch's face on the screen.

His sharp jawline, piercing blue eyes, and confident grin screamed wealth and privilege.

"He's like a real-life Prince Charming," Selena muttered under her breath, a mix of awe and disbelief in her voice.

But before she could dwell on it, her supervisor, Ms. Harper, came storming over, her face tight with annoyance. "Selena, less daydreamin', more workin'! Let's go!"

Selena quickly snapped out of it and rushed to deliver the next round of orders.

***

Break Time

During a rare break, Selena slumped into a chair in the staff room. Her best friend and coworker, Maya, plopped down beside her.

"You catch that wild news today?" Maya asked, sipping her iced coffee.

Selena blinked, confused. "What news?"

"Damian Jorch's wedding announcement? Billionaire heir and all that?"

"Oh, that," Selena replied with a shrug. "They look perfect together, don't they?"

But Maya's eyes narrowed, studying her friend's face. "You don't see it?"

"See what?" Selena asked, feeling awkward under Maya's gaze.

"You kinda look like her-Elsie, the bride," Maya said matter-of-factly.

Selena rolled her eyes. "Barely. And c'mon, Maya, their world and mine? Night and day. They're up in the clouds, livin' the dream, and I'm down here, burnin' up in the core of the earth with all my problems."

Maya laughed but then tilted her head. "You don't seem like yourself today. What's up?"

Selena let out a heavy sigh, her walls crumbling as tears welled up.

"Hey, hey," Maya said softly, pulling her into a hug. "Spill it. Don't leave me guessin'."

Selena sniffled and wiped her face. "It's Cloe... my aunt. You know she's been complainin' about her back pain?"

Maya's smile faded. "Yeah. Is it bad?"

"It's stage 3. The doc's talkin' kidney surgery," Selena said, her voice cracking.

"Holy... that's gotta cost a fortune," Maya whispered, her face full of worry.

"Seven hundred grand," Selena said, her frustration bubbling over. "I've already burned through my savings just gettin' her checked out. If even a tiny bit of that billionaire wedding money went to her, she'd probably already be recoverin' by now."

Maya frowned but then reached into her bag. "Look, I've got a little savings. You need it more than me."

Selena's eyes widened, her chest tightening with emotion. "Maya, I... I can't take that."

"Don't argue with me," Maya said, her tone firm but kind. "We'll figure this out. Together."