Chapter 2

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

"Aria's coagulation function is very poor, and her platelet count is abnormal. She needs to be hospitalized for further tests. You'll need to put down a 20-thousand-dollar deposit first. If surgery is required later, the cost will go up."

I squeezed the report in my hand and paused before asking, "When's the deadline?"

"You have three days."

I handed over all my savings to the hospital, then applied for financial assistance.

I worked in the cafeteria by day and took shifts as a patient caregiver by night, getting three hours of sleep at most.

In the early morning of the second day, after turning over the elderly patient in the next bed, I straightened my aching back, only to spot Leyla standing at the end of the hallway.

She had changed into a black pantsuit, her long wavy hair draped over her shoulders. The cold white light fell across her striking features, making them look even sharper.

I ignored her and turned to head back to the ward.

"Jason."

The sharp click of Leyla's heels caught up with me as she slapped an agreement onto the nurse's station.

"Who are you putting on a show for?"

"I'm working. Move."

"Jason, you know damn well I won't stand by and watch Aria suffer, yet you refuse to ask me for help. You're just trying to force my hand so I'll offer more, aren't you?"

She tapped the agreement with a slender finger. "I can cover the medical bills, but the money won't pass through your hands.

"Kamryn will audit every expense. I will cover essential tests, but non-essential drugs are on you. You and Aria's daily meal budget cannot exceed ten dollars, and you have no right to withdraw the remaining funds."

I flipped to the final page and noticed Kamryn's name as the supervisor.

I pushed the agreement back toward her. "Kamryn doesn't even have a medical license. By what right does he get to decide what medication Aria takes?"

A flicker of impatience crossed Leyla's eyes. "He's just keeping expenses in check for me. If the doctor says it's necessary, he'll approve it."

Right as she said that, the elevator doors slid open.

Kamryn strode out. He wore a dark gray custom suit with sharp shoulders and a new watch on his wrist.

Walking over to Leyla, he cast a subtle glance my way and adjusted his cuffs.

"Ms. Saunders, the clothes for the banquet arrived. The watch and the suit came to 126 thousand dollars in total."

Leyla merely glanced at it. "Keep it if you like it. You don't need to inform me about minor things like this."

I didn't realize when Aria had woken up.

She stood barefoot at the doorway, her tiny frame swallowed by the oversized patient gown.

She looked at the watch on Kamryn's wrist, then down at the agreement in my hand. "Daddy, why can Mr. Benton buy a watch without asking anyone, but I have to get his permission to buy medicine?"

Leyla's expression froze for a second.

I crouched down and gently told her, "Sweetheart, we shouldn't feel entitled to other people's money."

Catching the sarcasm in my voice, Leyla pressed her lips into a tight line. "Jason, is that what you teach her?"

Kamryn stepped forward. His tall frame towered over me. His voice sounded warm, but his eyes held no warmth at all. "Mr. Kirk, stop throwing a fit. This isn't doing you or the kid any good. Just sign the agreement."

"I'm not signing."

I picked up Aria and turned to go back into the ward.

Right then, Kamryn suddenly staggered backward and slammed heavily into my shoulder.

Exhausted from days without rest and carrying Aria in my arms, I lost my balance. My back crashed straight into the glass door behind me.

With a loud crash, the glass shattered into pieces.

Before hitting the ground, I threw my arm over Aria to shield her. Shards sliced open my palm, and blood immediately dripped from my fingertips.

Luckily, Aria wasn't hurt. She scrambled out of my arms, and the sight of my bloody hand paled her face.

"Daddy!"

She rushed in front of me and spread her thin arms wide. "You bullies! Don't you dare hurt my daddy!"