“What’s the problem, Adam? What happened?” I pressed.

“It’s mum. She, uh…” he trailed off. “She suddenly collapsed. The doctor said she may need another transplant.” He sighed. “Well, this time, instead of joining a wait list, there are people with strong matching organs who are willing to donate as long as they are well paid.”

The news hit me hard. My mum was in her sixties. I knew she was still strong and would have chances of survival if the operation was done, but I doubted George or Maria would be willing to pay the bill.

But well, they better be, because this was part of the marriage deal....