Lilia sat in the backseat of the sleek black car, a symbol of luxury that only deepened the ache in her chest. Her hands were clasped tightly in her lap, her knuckles white from the effort. The city blurred past the tinted windows, the outside world reduced to a hazy smear. Each passing moment felt like a step closer to something she couldn't escape.
Beside her, her mother sat silent and unreadable—a fortress of ice, her expression as impenetrable as stone. Lilia didn't dare look at her. The air inside the car was stifling, thick with unspoken accusations and the haunting echo of Sabrina's cruel parting words: What if Lilia isn't a virgin?
Her chest tightened, the humiliation burning her like a brand. Yet beneath the shame, a flicker of defiance stirred. Why do they get to decide what I'm worth? The question looped in her mind, unanswered and relentless, fueling the storm that raged within her.
Her mother's sharp voice shattered the tense silence. "When we arrive, you will not embarrass me. You better pray that the results show you are clean. Otherwise, you may as well stay at the hospital—or look for a house to rent nearby."
Lilia stiffened, swallowing the retort that clawed at her throat. She kept her gaze fixed on her hands, her nails digging into her palms in a desperate attempt to keep her emotions in check. A blush of anger and humiliation crept up her neck, her mother's cutting words echoing like a taunt in her ears.
Why does she think so little of me? The thought churned in her mind, bitter and unyielding. Was this test simply because her mother had caught her outside last night? Did they truly believe she'd been sneaking off to meet someone? The baseless accusations coiled in her stomach, forming a knot that refused to loosen.
The car slowed, then came to a halt, pulling Lilia from her spiraling thoughts. The hospital loomed ahead, its cold, steely facade reflecting the emotional war raging within her. The building seemed to mock her, its impersonal exterior as unfeeling as the ordeal she was about to endure.
Her mother opened the door with a practiced grace, stepping out without so much as a glance back. Her heels clicked sharply against the pavement, each step echoing with purpose. Lilia hesitated, her heart sinking. Then, with reluctant steps, she followed.
Inside the hospital, the sterile air struck her like a slap. The faint scent of antiseptic lingered in the air, and the harsh fluorescent lights buzzed overhead, casting everything in an unflattering glare. The hallway stretched before them, long and uninviting, its stark whiteness making her feel exposed. Her mother led the way, her heels striking the floor with a precision that seemed almost calculated.
A composed young woman greeted them near the entrance. Her professional demeanor only added to the tension in the air. "Good to see you again, Mrs. Winslow and Miss Lilia. Please, this way." Her tone was polite, detached, as if this were just another routine appointment.
Lilia didn't respond, her feet moving automatically as she followed. Each step seemed to echo louder, her dread amplifying the sound. The closer they got to the testing room, the tighter the walls seemed to close in, the fluorescent lights above feeling harsher with every passing second.
They stopped in front of an elevator, and silence wrapped around them like a shroud as the doors slid open. Lilia stepped inside with her mother, the tension between them almost suffocating. Her mother's disapproval pressed down on her like a physical weight, and she fought the urge to shrink under it.
"The virginity test will take place in three minutes. All the arrangements have been made," the woman said, breaking the silence.
Lilia's stomach churned, the words slicing through her composure. The test. The very idea felt like a violation, as though her body were an object to be examined, judged, and deemed worthy—or not. Her hands balled into fists at her sides, the urge to scream bubbling in her throat. But she stayed silent, her gaze fixed on the floor.
Her mother's icy glance landed on her again, a silent warning that spoke louder than words. Lilia felt her skin prickle under the weight of it, the tension seeping into her very bones.
The elevator doors pinged softly, sliding open with a mechanical hum. The young woman stepped out first, her heels clicking softly against the tiled floor. She turned to Mrs. Winslow with a practiced smile. "Ma'am, if it's okay with you, we'll need you to remain here while we conduct the test."
Mrs. Winslow nodded, her tight smile betraying no emotion. "Of course," she said, her tone cold but cordial. Without hesitation, she strode toward the waiting area, her movements purposeful, her heels clicking a finality that made Lilia's stomach knot.
That smile masked the storm brewing inside her. Mrs. Winslow's expression hardened as her thoughts churned. This child… If she fails this test, it's over. Everything we've worked for—ruined. Her husband's stern words echoed in her mind, a chilling reminder of the stakes. He will not forgive me—or her—if the results don't meet his expectations.
Lilia's heart thudded painfully in her chest as she was led further into the sterile halls. The air felt thicker here, the walls closing in around her. Her thoughts were a chaotic storm of fear and anger, each emotion fighting for dominance. She felt like a pawn in her mother's game, her worth reduced to something as dehumanizing as this test.
"Miss Lilia, this way, please," the woman said, her tone devoid of emotion yet professional.
Lilia hesitated, her feet rooted to the spot for a fraction of a second. Then, with her heart pounding in her chest, she stepped forward.
As they entered the private room, the door closed behind them, leaving Lilia alone with the woman in the crisp white coat. The silence that followed was thick and oppressive, pressing down on her like a physical weight. Lilia's thoughts raced, spiraling into a chaotic blur. Her mother's cold, unyielding gaze, Sabrina's cruel words, and the unbearable weight of her family's expectations all collided in her mind.
After what felt like an eternity, the door opened, and a middle-aged woman in a white coat stepped out. Her glasses perched precariously on the bridge of her nose as she adjusted them with a practiced motion. She offered a polite smile, her professional demeanor unwavering. "Mrs. Winslow," she said, her voice calm and measured. "Regarding your daughter, the results will arrive shortly. Could you please wait a moment?"
Mrs. Winslow gave a curt nod, her expression betraying no emotion as she gestured for Lilia to sit beside her on the plush sofa. The soft fabric beneath her felt like a cruel irony—its comfort a stark contrast to the turmoil inside her. The VIP lounge was spacious and immaculate, its quiet sterility amplifying the tension that hung in the air.
As soon as the doctor stepped out, Mrs. Winslow turned sharply toward Lilia. Her voice was cold, her words laced with disapproval. "Why is your face like that? Fix it."
Lilia flinched at the icy command, her heart pounding in her chest. She quickly lowered her head, her trembling hands clasped tightly in her lap. Forcing her expression into neutrality, she swallowed the emotions threatening to overwhelm her. Inside, anger and humiliation churned, but she dared not voice them. Years of enduring her mother's harsh treatment had taught her to suppress her feelings, to bury the pain deep within and present a facade of compliance.
The door opened again, breaking the tense silence. The doctor returned, holding a slim file in her hands. Her expression was neutral, unreadable, as she spoke. "The results are in," she said, pausing briefly. "They show that your daughter, Lilia, is still a virgin."
Mrs. Winslow's transformation was instantaneous. The rigid lines of tension melted away, replaced by a radiant smile that seemed to illuminate the entire room. Relief washed over her features, her triumph palpable. "Thank you, doctor," she said, her tone warm and effusive. "You will be rewarded abundantly."
The doctor inclined her head politely, though a flicker of confusion passed over her face. Rewarded? It wasn't the reaction she usually received in these circumstances. Still, professionalism dictated her response, and she brushed off the strange remark without comment.
Unbeknownst to her, Mrs. Winslow's joy had little to do with Lilia. It wasn't concern for her daughter's reputation or well-being that sparked the smile on her face. Instead, it was the knowledge that this test result preserved their family's chances of climbing further up the social ladder. For Mrs.Winslow, Lilia's virginity wasn't a matter of morality or pride—it was currency, a tool to secure their future wealth and status.