Chapter 4

Three days later, I went to the house to find Maya Young.

When she opened the door, her complexion looked far healthier than in her social media photos.

Spotting me, she instantly braced her waist. "Claire, don't be upset. I'll pack all my belongings today."

I laid a written list on the table. "This covers all decor and furniture I funded. If you intend to stay, reimburse me the full cost. Regarding our joint account, you must sign to confirm every dollar Simon withdrew."

Maya's fragile soft expression froze. "I have no money."

"That downtown apartment registered under your name has been rented out constantly, and the rent is quite high."

She snapped her head up sharply. "You looked into my private affairs?"

"You posted countless entries with location tags. Was it hard to look up your information?"

Tears welled in her eyes. "I only wanted to secure a future for my baby. Brian is gone, I have to plan everything for the child."

"Then fund that future with your own money."

Maya twisted the hem of her shirt tightly. "Claire, can you not understand me at all? I dream of Brian every night, seeing him covered in blood. Yet I wake up completely alone."

I stared straight at her. "So you moved into my house and spent the money set aside for my father's surgery?"

All color drained from her face.

A second later, the front door swung open.

Simon stepped inside, carrying an insulated thermos.

Maya instinctively took a step backward.

She stood at the stair landing. "Simon, don't blame Claire. She only wants me to move out."

She did not finish her sentence before slipping and landing hard on a step.

Her hands flew to cradle her stomach, tears spilling down her cheeks.

"It hurts, Simon. My stomach's throbbing."

Simon sprinted over to catch and hold her. "Maya!"

He shot a sharp, furious glance up at me. "What did you say to her?"

I stood my ground firmly. "I asked her to sign off on the bills."

"She's carrying a child!"

"Does being pregnant give her free rein to spend my family's money?"

Maya clutched his sleeve through sobs. "Claire didn't push me. I lost my balance on my own. Don't quarrel with her over me."

The second those words left her mouth, Simon's gaze toward me turned icier.

"I know you would never lay a hand on her, but why did you have to agitate her of all days?"

A bitter laugh escaped me. "You know I wouldn't hurt her, yet you expect me to apologize to her?"

He swallowed hard. "She's in bad shape right now. Swallow your pride for her peace of mind."

I crossed to the coffee table and grabbed the list.

I tore it to shreds, bit by bit.

Maya's sobs cut off instantly.

I tossed the paper scraps into the bin. "Simon, I will get back everything you owe me on my own."

He stayed holding Maya and made no move to chase me.

As the elevator doors slid shut, I watched him lean down to soothe her.

That single glance told me all I needed to know.

At one a.m., my mom called, her voice thick with tears.

"Claire, your dad's gripped by chest pain, his face turned blue. The ambulance is already here."

I shot out of bed, threw on a jacket, and bolted out the front door.

When I reached the ER, the doctor said I needed to pay an extra fee before they ran further scans and surgical evaluations.

Only three thousand remained in my bank account.

That amount was nowhere close to enough.

I dialed Simon's number.

He ignored the first ring and only picked up on my second call.

Loud background noise hummed; he sounded to be inside a hospital too.

"Claire? What's wrong?" Simon asked.

My throat felt raw. "Dad's in the ER. They demand payment right away. Transfer the missing funds back to our joint account now."

A pause came over the line. "Maya's having contractions. I'm with her at the maternity ward."

"My dad's stuck in emergency care as well!"

"I know, Claire. Stay calm. I'll send the money first thing tomorrow morning."

My knees buckled. "Simon, the doctor needs the payment this instant!"

He lowered his voice. "Cover the fees temporarily yourself. I can't leave Maya. She's in constant pain, and staff need to monitor her vitals."

"What about my father?" I pressed, voice shaking.

Silence was his only reply.

I could hear Maya's faint sobs coming through the phone line.

"Simon, will I lose the baby?" Her voice was barely a whisper.

Simon spoke in a rush. "I have to hang up now, Claire. Hold on. I will reach out to you soon."

The call cut off. I stared at the screen, unable to utter a single word.