Chapter 2

When the test results came back, the doctor called me into his office alone.

"Your daughter's blood isn't clotting properly, and her platelet count is abnormal. She needs to be admitted for further testing. You'll need to put down a $200,000 deposit for her treatment, and if she needs surgery, the costs will go up."

I gripped the report, struggling to find my voice. When I finally managed to speak, all I could ask was, "How long do I have to pay?"

"Three days."

I handed over everything I had saved and applied for financial assistance. During the day, I worked in the cafeteria. At night, I took shifts caring for patients, getting by on just three hours of sleep.

In the early hours of the following morning, I was helping an elderly patient in the next bed turn over when I noticed Caleb standing at the end of the hallway, watching me.

He frowned, then marched over and dragged me outside.

"Who are you putting on this act for?"

"Let go. I'm working."

"Zoe, you know perfectly well I'm not going to let my own daughter die. You're refusing to ask me for help because you want me to offer you more money, aren't you?"

He pulled out an agreement.

"I'll cover her medical expenses, but none of the money will go through you. Nina will review every expense. The Hawthorne family will pay for any tests deemed necessary, but you'll have to cover nonessential medications yourself. You and Nellie will have a combined food allowance of no more than a hundred dollars a day, and you won't be allowed to withdraw any leftover funds."

I flipped to the last page.

Financial supervisor: Nina Sullivan.

I handed the agreement back.

"Nina doesn't even have a medical license. What gives her the right to decide which medications my daughter needs?"

Caleb sounded irritated. "She's only helping you keep your spending under control. If a doctor says something is necessary, she'll approve it."

Just then, Nina stepped out of the elevator in a designer couture gown, casting me a smug glance.

"Mr. Hawthorne, the jewelry for tonight's gala has arrived. My dress and jewelry came to $1.26 million."

Caleb barely glanced at her. "If you like it, buy it. You don't need to ask me."

At some point, Nellie had woken up. She was standing barefoot in the doorway of her hospital room, looking from Nina's dress to the agreement in my hand.

"Mommy, why doesn't Aunt Nina need permission to buy a dress, but I need her permission to get medicine?"

Caleb's expression stiffened.

I crouched beside my daughter and gently explained, "Sweetheart, we mustn't act entitled to other people's money."

Caleb's face darkened completely.

"Is that what you're teaching our daughter?"

Nina came over. "Miss Shaw, please stop making a scene. You're only making things worse for yourself and your child. Just sign the agreement."

"I'm not signing anything."

I reached for Nellie, intending to take her back to her room, but before I could turn around, Nina suddenly staggered backward.

"Mr. Hawthorne!"

Caleb instinctively reached out to steady her, shoving me hard in the shoulder with his other hand.

I stumbled into the glass door behind me.

There was a loud crash as the glass shattered, slicing open my palm. Blood streamed down my fingers.

Nellie went deathly pale. She rushed forward and planted herself between Caleb and me.

"You're a bad man! Don't you dare hurt my mommy!"