Chapter 7 - The Midnight Crisis
Clara was determined to prove she belonged. She stayed late every night, poring over ledgers long after the rest of the 45th floor had gone home. It was 9:00 p.m. on a rainy Tuesday, and the office was completely silent.
Suddenly, her cell phone buzzed. It was a call from Mrs. Gable, their elderly neighbor who watched Leo after school.
"Clara!" Mrs. Gable screamed into the phone, sirens wailing in the background. "It's Leo! He had a severe attack. He collapsed, Clara. The ambulance is taking him to Chicago Med!"
Clara’s entire world shattered. "I'm coming," she choked out.
She slammed her laptop shut, grabbed her coat, and sprinted toward the elevator banks. Her hands were shaking so violently she could barely press the 'Down' button. Tears streamed down her face as panic choked her throat. Not Leo. Please, God, not Leo.
The elevator pinged and the doors slid open.
Julian was standing inside, holding a briefcase. He saw Clara’s tear-stained face, and his calm demeanor instantly vanished. He dropped his briefcase to the floor.
"Clara, what's wrong?" he demanded, catching her by the shoulders as she stumbled into the cab.
"My brother," she sobbed, unable to maintain her stoic facade. "He can't breathe. They're taking him to the hospital. I have to go, I have to get the bus—"
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"You are not taking a bus," Julian said, his voice hard with protective authority. He hit the button for the underground parking garage. "My car is downstairs. I'm driving you."
Clara was too terrified to argue. She leaned against the polished steel wall of the elevator, weeping silently, while Julian pulled out his phone and began making rapid, hushed calls to people who owed him favors.
