Selfish Woman Spent Money on Posh Dress Instead of Mother's Treatment, Regretted It Immediately — Story of the Day

Lily always put herself first, even choosing a new dress over her mother's treatment. But when a doctor tells her that her mother might die without help, Lily is forced to make a life-changing decision. Will she finally put someone else before herself?

Lily joyfully exited the store, her heart racing with excitement. She had just bought the dress she had long dreamed of, using money that had miraculously appeared in her purse.

The dress was beautiful, and she couldn't wait to wear it. As she stepped onto the sidewalk, she bumped into an attractive man. He smiled warmly at her.

"Hi, I'm Walter," he said, extending his hand.

"I'm Lily," she replied, shaking his hand.

Walter's clothes and demeanor indicated that he was very wealthy. Lily's mind started racing. Could this be my chance to catch a rich man and not worry about anything? she thought.

Walter looked at Lily, intrigued. "How did you afford such a dress?" he asked, his eyes scanning her from head to toe.

Lily smirked, feeling confident. "Why? Are you afraid of competition?" she replied, her tone teasing.

Walter chuckled. "No, just curious. So, what do you do for a living?"

Lily stepped closer to him, her eyes sparkling with interest. "Why don't you invite me to dinner so we can talk about it?" she suggested. "Or even after dinner? What do you say?"

Walter raised an eyebrow, considering her offer. "That sounds tempting. But I don't think you could go to dinner with me," he said, a mysterious smile playing on his lips.

Lily frowned, puzzled. "Why not?"

Walter's expression turned serious. "Because you need to hurry to the hospital to see your mother."

Lily's eyes widened in shock. "How do you know about my mom?"

Walter's gaze was piercing. "I know more than that. I know about the five grand in your purse."

Confusion washed over Lily. "I don't understand," she said, taking a step back.

Walter's voice grew louder, more accusatory. "I also know you traded your mother's life for that dress."

Lily's face hardened, and she turned to leave. "Oh, shut up. I deserve this dress. I am the most beautiful girl in the world, and I deserve the best."

Walter shook his head, his expression disapproving. "Decent people are not defined by their possessions but by their actions. Don't you know that?"

"Get lost," Lily snapped, trying to walk away.

Walter sighed. "Alright, alright. I'm sorry. I reacted too harshly. You deserve that dress. But the problem is, you don't deserve anything more. You don't love anyone but yourself. I'm sorry…but you deserve this."

With a snap of his fingers, Lily felt a strange sensation. She instantly turned into a mannequin in the store where she had bought the dress. Her eyes, now glassy and lifeless, stared out at the world.

Another girl walked into the store and admired the dress on Lily. The manager approached the girl, shaking his head.

"You can't afford such a dress," he said, echoing his words to Lily not long ago. Walter stood by the counter with a sly smile as he watched the scene unfold.

Lily woke up in a cold sweat, sitting in the hospital room next to her mother's bed. Her heart was pounding, and her mind raced. "What a dream," she thought, trying to shake off the eerie feeling. She glanced over at her mother, who looked so fragile and pale.

Earlier that day, she had bought the dress she had always wanted. It felt like a miracle when she found the money in her purse. She had met Walter, the handsome and wealthy man, who admitted he had put the money in her purse.

At first, she was thrilled. But when Walter saw how rudely she treated the store clerks, he regretted giving her the money and left without another word.

Lily had then come to the hospital to see her mother. But now, after that strange dream, she felt a heavy weight of guilt pressing down on her. She had spent the money on a dress while her mother was lying here, needing treatment.

The door creaked open, and the doctor walked in. "Lily, can we talk outside?" he asked softly.

She nodded and followed him into the corridor. The doctor looked at her with concern. "If your mother's treatment doesn't continue, I don't know how long she will live," he said gently.

Lily's eyes filled with tears. "We don't have the money for the treatment," she whispered, her voice shaking.

The doctor sighed. “Then I’m afraid there’s nothing much I can do. Hospital policy,” he replied.

Lily felt her heart shatter. She returned to her mother's room and broke down in tears. She looked at her mother's weak, frail body and felt a wave of self-hatred. "How could I have been so selfish?" she berated herself, thinking about the stupid dress.

Determined to make things right, Lily decided to return the dress. She knew it wouldn't be easy, but she had to try. She left the hospital and headed back to the store, her mind set on getting the money back for her mother's treatment.

Lily arrived at the store, her heart pounding with anxiety. She scanned the area and spotted the manager, who was busy with a customer. Taking a deep breath, she approached him.

"Hello, miss. Would you like to purchase something else?" the manager asked with a polite smile.

Lily shook her head. "No, I want to return this dress," she said, holding up the garment.

The manager chuckled, shaking his head. "Sorry, but we don't do returns," he replied.

Lily felt a surge of desperation. "You don't understand. I need the money," she pleaded, her voice trembling.

The manager's expression turned dismissive. "Then take it from where you got it for the dress."

"I can't! Please," Lily begged, tears welling up in her eyes.

The manager sighed, clearly annoyed. "I don't want to waste any more time on you. I'd rather talk to customers who can afford to buy something here," he said and turned away, walking off.

Feeling crushed, Lily stumbled outside and burst into tears. She felt lost and didn't know what to do next. She sank to the ground, covering her face with her hands.

A familiar voice broke through her sobs. "You're here again," the voice said.

Lily looked up, startled. Walter stood before her, his expression curious. "Get away from me. I already feel terrible," she snapped.

Walter ignored her harsh tone. "What happened?" he asked calmly.

Lily's tears flowed harder. "My mom is in the hospital. She had a heart attack and needs money for treatment. I spent the money on this stupid dress, and now I can't return it," she cried.

Walter studied her for a moment. "It seems I can help you," he said. "I need a girl at the reception. Someone to type documents, bring drinks, and greet clients."

Lily's frustration flared. "I'm not made for work. I've never worked a day in my life," she retorted.

Walter shrugged and began to walk away. "As you wish," he said.

Panic set in as Lily realized this might be her only chance. "Wait!" she shouted, running after him. "I agree. But I need the money now," she said urgently.

Walter turned to face her. "I'm willing to give you an advance, but first, I need to see you work," he said firmly.

Lily nodded. "Alright," she said, her voice steady.

Walter continued, "And you'll still have to work it off afterward. If you run away, I'll make sure you owe me much more money through the court."

"Fine, I agree," Lily replied, determination setting in.

Walter nodded and gestured toward his car. "Let's go then," he said. Lily followed him, feeling a mix of fear and hope.

Walter led Lily to his luxurious car, a sleek black vehicle that gleamed under the streetlights. She slid into the plush leather seat, feeling a mix of awe and nervousness.

The ride to his company's office was quiet, with Lily lost in her thoughts about her mother and the task ahead.

When they arrived at the office, Walter gave Lily a brief tour. The office was modern and bustling, with employees moving briskly and phones ringing constantly.

Walter explained her job duties, showing her the reception desk, the break room, and the filing cabinets. "You'll even have to clean up after everyone in the evening," he said.

Lily frowned, feeling a surge of annoyance. "I have to clean, too?"

Walter looked at her calmly. "Yes, or you can leave," he said simply.

Realizing it wasn't the time to show her temper, Lily nodded. "I'll do it," she agreed, though reluctantly.

Lily started her workday with determination. At first, everything seemed to go wrong. She struggled to print documents, accidentally jamming the printer. She tried to make coffee but ended up breaking the coffee machine.

Later, she spilled coffee on one of the clients, turning bright red with embarrassment. Walter sent her to find some important documents, and she got lost in the maze of corridors.

However, something unexpected happened. The other employees noticed her struggles and began to help her. They showed her how to print documents correctly, use the coffee machine, and navigate the office.

Their kindness surprised Lily, who wasn't used to such support from strangers. She felt a warm sense of gratitude.

In the evening, Lily stayed to clean the office after everyone had left. She wiped down desks, emptied trash bins, and vacuumed the floors. It was tiring work, but she didn't complain. She knew she had to earn the money for her mother's treatment.

As she finished cleaning, Walter approached her. He handed her an envelope filled with money. "Here's your advance," he said.

Lily took the envelope, her eyes brimming with tears. "Thank you," she said softly.

Walter nodded. "I expect you to come to work tomorrow," he said. Then he turned and left, leaving Lily alone in the quiet office. She clutched the envelope tightly, feeling a glimmer of hope.

After finishing cleaning the office, Lily rushed to the hospital. Her heart pounded as she made her way to her mother's doctor's office. She burst in, breathless. "I found the money," she said urgently. "I can pay for the treatment."

The doctor sighed sadly, shaking his head. "I'm sorry, Lily. It's too late. Your mother's condition has worsened. She needs a heart transplant now."

Lily felt her world crumble. "A heart transplant?" she echoed, tears filling her eyes.

The doctor nodded. "Yes. We don't know how long it will take to find a donor or if your mother will survive until then."

Lily's tears spilled over, and she began to sob. "It's my fault," she cried. "If we had started the treatment earlier, this wouldn't have happened. My mom did everything for me all her life, and I was never grateful."

The doctor watched her with compassion as she cried. Then, suddenly, Lily stopped and looked up at him with determination. "Can I be the donor?" she asked.

The doctor looked surprised. "Theoretically, yes. But do you understand what that means?" he asked gently.

Lily nodded, her eyes filled with resolve. "I understand. I've already decided," she said firmly.

After talking with the doctor, Lily entered her mother's room and sat beside her. She took a deep breath, trying to steady her emotions.

"Hey," Lily said softly, her voice trembling.

Her mother opened her eyes and smiled weakly. "Oh, Lily. You're here," she said, her voice faint.

Lily sat on the bed next to her mother and held her hand. "I came to tell you that I just talked to the doctor, and he said they found a donor for you," she said.

Her mother's eyes brightened a little. "Oh, how wonderful," she whispered.

"Yes," Lily said, but tears began to flow down her cheeks. "Mom, forgive me. For being such a bad daughter."

Her mother squeezed her hand gently. "No, Lily, you were not a bad daughter," she said with a weak smile.

Lily shook her head. "Yes, I was. I never cared about anyone but myself. But now I want to make things right. I will make things right, you hear me, Mom?"

Her mother hugged her as best as she could, and Lily started crying even more. "And thank you for everything you did for me. I can never truly repay you," Lily said through her tears.

They hugged for a long time, sharing a silent moment of understanding and love. Eventually, the doctor came in and called Lily to prepare her for the operation. Before approving Lily for the donation, the doctors conducted numerous tests to ensure she was a suitable match.

Lily asked him not to tell her mother until the operation was over. Instead, she wrote a heartfelt letter, saying how much she loved her. She placed the letter on the bedside table and kissed her mother's forehead.

Lily was prepared for surgery and taken to the operating room, where her mother was already under anesthesia. Just before falling asleep, she whispered, "I love you, Mom."

When Lily's mother woke up after the successful operation, she felt a mixture of relief and confusion. The doctor approached her bedside with a gentle smile. "The operation was successful," he said. "I need to tell you something important."

He handed her a letter from Lily. As she read it, tears filled her eyes. The doctor explained, "Lily was the donor. She loved you so much that she gave her own life to save yours."

The doctor added, "All the treatment costs have been covered by someone named Walter."

Her mother clutched the letter to her chest, overwhelmed by Lily's sacrifice and love.

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