For five years, he'd coddled me until I was practically helpless.
But only I knew how tight the wire inside me had been pulled, every single day.
I was always wondering whether the things Jesse said were real or just another performance.
I was done living like that.
After I got Dad settled, I stepped out of his room.
The moment I turned the corner, I spotted a familiar figure walking a woman into the obstetrics department.
Michael James. Jesse's closest friend.
And the woman was Edith Walker.
My feet carried me after them before my mind caught up.
Through the closed door, I heard Michael's voice, easy and familiar. "Don't worry, Edith."
"Three million dollars this time, and they brought in the best doctor from overseas. It's going to work."
Edith sighed, a thread of exhaustion woven through her words.
"This is the tenth time in five years. I just hope it finally takes."
Three million dollars. My father's surgery money.
Michael turned and saw me standing in the doorway. The color drained from his face.
He rushed over, grabbed my arm, his voice frantic.
"Lucretia, no, it's not what it looks like!"
I ignored him and reached for the thick stack of medical records in his hand.