Chapter 9 - The Debt
Leo spent three days in the VIP pediatric wing. It was a room that looked more like a luxury hotel suite, complete with a private nurse and top-tier respiratory specialists. They had diagnosed Leo with a rare, aggressive form of inflammatory asthma and started him on a highly advanced biologic treatment.
On the third afternoon, Clara walked down to the billing department. She had eighty thousand dollars on paper now, but her first paycheck hadn't even cleared. She was prepared to beg, borrow, or take out a loan that would shackle her for life.
"I need to set up a payment plan for Leo Vance," Clara told the billing clerk, bracing herself.
The clerk typed into her computer, frowning. "Miss Vance, your account balance is zero."
Clara blinked. "Zero? But the room alone... the biologic treatments..."
"It was paid in full this morning," the clerk said, turning the screen so Clara could see. "An anonymous wire transfer of $140,000."
Clara’s blood ran cold. There was only one person on earth who knew she was here and had that kind of money.
She marched out of the hospital and into the chilly afternoon air. Julian’s Maybach was parked in the VIP loading zone, as it had been for three days. Julian was leaning against the hood, checking his phone.
"Julian!" Clara yelled, marching up to him.
He looked up, slipping his phone into his pocket. "Is Leo okay?"
"Did you pay his bill?" she demanded, her voice shaking with a dangerous mix of immense gratitude and furious pride.
Julian didn't flinch. "Yes."
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"I am not your charity case!" Clara cried, tears of frustration spilling over. "I don't want a sugar daddy. I don't want pity! How am I ever supposed to pay you back?"
"I don't want your money, Clara," Julian said sharply, stepping into her space. The intensity in his gray eyes pinned her in place. "And I don't pity you."
