Chapter 3 3

The smell of bleach and rubbing alcohol made Adriane's stomach roll.

She dragged her white cane across the linoleum floor of New York Presbyterian Hospital. Her fingertips still felt cold. They held the memory of her brother Barry's freezing skin. She had just left his intensive care room. The machines beeping around him sounded like a countdown to the end.

Ten minutes ago, the head doctor told her the brutal truth. No check, no operating room.

Adriane stood in the corner of the crowded billing hall. She pulled out her phone with shaking hands. She dialed her old college roommate.

"I'm sorry, Adriane. I just bought a house. I don't have that kind of cash." Click.

She called another friend.

"Wow, that's a lot of money. Let me ask my husband..." Click.

She quickly dialed Deandre Garrison, her old college friend, praying he would pick up. The line rang endlessly until it hit voicemail. She left a breathless, begging message.

Three calls. Three rejections.

Adriane leaned her back against the cold tile wall. She pressed the palms of her hands against her eyes, trying to push the tears back in. A choked sob ripped from her throat.

Down the hall, the heavy double doors of the VIP wing pushed open.

Sharp, rhythmic high heels clicked against the floor. Kassidy walked out, holding tightly to Chase's arm. They had just finished accompanying Drucilla for her brain scan.

Kassidy's eyes scanned the crowd. She spotted the cheap, worn-out trench coat instantly.

A malicious spark lit up Kassidy's eyes. She tugged on Chase's arm, steering him directly toward the billing hall.

"Oh my goodness, Adriane?" Kassidy called out. Her voice was loud, dripping with fake shock and pity.

Adriane's spine went rigid. She quickly wiped her wet cheeks with the back of her sleeve and gripped her cane tightly. She stood up straight.

Chase followed Kassidy's gaze. When he saw Adriane, his jaw clenched. A deep scowl formed on his face.

Kassidy stepped right up to Adriane. "What are you doing here? Are you following us?"

"No," Adriane said through gritted teeth. "I am here to see my sick brother."

Chase let out a harsh breath. He stepped between the two women, towering over Adriane.

"You followed us to a hospital?" Chase's voice was low and lethal. "Your tricks are getting pathetic, Adriane."

Adriane's chest heaved. Panic and anger mixed in her blood. "I am not following you! I have the billing notice right here!"

She reached her hand into the deep pocket of her trench coat, her fingers brushing against the crumpled piece of paper.

Kassidy moved fast. She stepped forward, her body completely blocking Chase's view of Adriane's pocket. Kassidy's hand shot out and clamped down hard on Adriane's wrist, pinning it inside the coat.

Kassidy leaned in close. Her sweet perfume masked the smell of the hospital.

"Stop embarrassing yourself, you blind beggar," Kassidy whispered venomously into Adriane's ear.

Adriane's blood boiled. With a sudden burst of strength, she yanked her arm free and shoved Kassidy's hand away.

Kassidy stumbled backward. She threw her arms up and let out a fragile, terrified shriek.

Chase reacted instantly. He wrapped his strong arm around Kassidy's waist, catching her before she fell.

He turned his head slowly. The look in his eyes was pure murder.

"If you ever touch her again," Chase said, his voice dropping to a terrifying whisper, "I will make sure you never walk the streets of New York again."

Adriane's fingers gripped her cane so hard her joints ached. Her fingernails bit deeply into her own palms.

She stood tall, facing the darkness where his voice came from.

"You are pathetic, Chase," Adriane said. Her voice did not shake.

The words hit Chase like a physical blow. His eyes darkened. He took a threatening step forward, but Kassidy quickly grabbed his lapels.

"Chase, please," Kassidy pleaded softly. "Drucilla is waiting for us. Don't let her upset you."

Chase stopped. He glared at Adriane one last time, then turned and walked away with Kassidy.

Their footsteps faded down the hall. Whispers erupted from the patients watching nearby.

Adriane stood alone. Inside her pocket, her fingers crushed the billing notice into a tight, useless ball. She had to find another way.