linds when the door to the hospital room opened. La

nd two orderlies with a gurney. They moved with a qui

dy to begin the trans

e with fear. "Alayna? What's hap

hand. "It's okay, Mom. We're just moving to a bette

. "Honey, we can't afford that. We can't affor

she didn't feel into her voice. "It's a loan. We'll

se. A top-of-the-line medical transport vehicle was waiting downstairs. The entire o

the gurney, Jax discreetly pulled Alayna a

e this for living expenses i

The medical bills are one thin

say that. Which is why he also established a direct credit with the hospital for all your m

ticulously constructed. Every objection she had was anticipated and preemptively d

taking. It looked more like a suite at a five-star

sh flowers on the bedside table, her eyes filled

her own voice thick with emotio

nto the hallway, pulling out her old phone. She n

t friend picked up. "You are not going

school days had helped her get to the hospital, a wealthy donor who'd once been a student at St. Jude's. She didn't say the name. Something

how is your mom? Is she stable? Once she's better, I swear to God,

llingly calm. "And scratching his car is too easy. I'm going to d

ad of oncology here. Dr. Evans. He's the best in the country. I told him about your mom... but Alayna, h

t's okay, El. Thank you for trying. Things are already in motion-I got a cal

heard of them. They're huge. Like, my mom's side of the family used to mention them at fundraisers-th

said quietly. "But I'm

er old phone buzzed w

ouldn't sleep. Did you get the

sick. She took a deep breath, her finge

back. She's fine now. Thanks

god. I was afraid you were going to

. Then she locked the phone, a col

tal's airy cafe, a latte waiting f

he table. "Mr. Knight requires a non-disclosure agreement to be signed.

some reason, that made her feel better. A contract had clear terms. I

ked up

e was about to sign away more than just her silenc

the dotted line. The i