Chapter 1
Linda Grant lay in her hospital bed, gripping my hand with what felt like absolute sincerity. "Zoe, you've done so much for me," she murmured sweetly. "You're truly just like my own daughter."
I was so deeply moved that hot tears actually pricked my eyes.
But the second the lead surgeon stepped into the room, she completely flipped a switch. "Doctor," she asked, her tone instantly dropping its warmth, "is this caregiver of mine doing an okay job?"
The smile froze right on my face.
So, that was what being "just like a daughter" really meant to her. I was just free labor she could boss around.
I gave a tight nod. "You know what, Linda? You're right. I'm just the caregiver. But if you want 'devoted daughter' levels of service from a hired hand, that's going to cost you. Care to settle the tab?"
*****
The sharp scent of disinfectant mixed with the faint sweetness of a freshly peeled apple, the one I had just prepared and left on Linda Grant's bedside table, lingered in the stark white hospital room.
Her bony hand was still gripping mine, but the warmth radiating from her palm now felt completely staged.
"Dr. Chase, how's my hired caregiver doing?"
Those words hit me like a bullet, instantly shattering the pathetic little bubble of emotion I had just felt.
My face must have looked incredibly stiff.
I couldn't believe I actually felt touched by Philip Grant's mother just now.
I turned my head and watched her pile on a flattering smile for Will Chase in his crisp white coat.
It felt like she had completely forgotten I was even there.
Will adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses. His gaze flicked over me before landing back on Linda with a hint of professional detachment.
"Mrs. Grant, this is Philip's fiancée, isn't it? She's taking great care of you."
His calm voice acted like a pin bursting Linda's little performance.
Her smile froze for a split second, but she quickly covered it up by raising her voice.
"Fiancée? Oh, please. They aren't married yet! Right now, she's just a caregiver getting some early practice."
She even threw a wink my way, her eyes gleaming with a patronizing, self-satisfied look.
The young nurse standing nearby couldn't help but snort, quickly hiding her face behind a medical clipboard.
The air in the room practically buzzed with absurdity.
I lowered my eyes to my hand, still firmly trapped in hers. I could still see the red marks on my skin from scrubbing her down earlier.
I had used up my hard-earned PTO just to be here. From dawn till dusk, I had waited on her hand and foot without a single complaint. I cleaned her up, bathed her, and fed her.
Philip had told me his mom had a rough life and begged me to cut her some slack. He promised that once we tied the knot, she would treat me like her own flesh and blood.
And like an idiot, I bought it.
I thought pouring my heart and soul into this family would earn me genuine love.
Instead, I was just the free help in her eyes.
A hollow ache opened up in my chest, letting the freezing reality pour right in.
Slowly, I peeled Linda's fingers off my hand, one by one.
Then, I looked up, meeting her slightly annoyed glare, and flashed an ice-cold smile.
"You're absolutely right, Mrs. Grant."
My voice wasn't loud, but it was crystal clear, cutting through the quiet room.
"I am just a caregiver."
Linda froze, clearly caught off guard by my easy agreement.
Philip, who had just walked in carrying a thermos of soup, stopped dead in his tracks.
"Zoe, what the hell are you talking about?" he grumbled.
His brows snapped together, his tone dripping with accusation.
I didn't even bother to glance his way. My eyes stayed locked onto Linda.
"But just so you know, a caregiver of my caliber doesn't come cheap."
I paused, slowly ticking off the services on my fingers.
"Round-the-clock bedside care, emotional support, rehab massages, and personalized nutritional meal prep.
"In today's market, that puts me in the premium, elite-tier caregiver bracket.
"My day rate is $400, plus a $100 overnight bonus. So, we're looking at $500 a day.
"You've been here for two days, making the total an even $1,000.
"Oh, and the emotional labor fee is extra. That depends entirely on the client's generosity. If you truly feel I'm 'just like a daughter,' I'd expect a hefty tip for that part.
"So, how do you want to handle this? Cash or Venmo?"
I spoke at an unhurried pace, dropping each word like a heavy stone into a quiet pond.
Dead silence descended on the room.
Will leaned casually against the doorframe, arms crossed, his eyes sparkling with pure entertainment.
The young nurse's shoulders shook as she fought back a laugh.
The smugness vanished from Linda's face as she looked livid.
Her lips quivered as she jabbed a trembling finger at my face, struggling to form a coherent sentence.
"You... you gold-digging brat!"
The words finally burst from her lips in a piercing, ear-splitting screech.
"I let you take care of me for two days, and you have the nerve to ask for money? Zoe, do you have no shame?"
Philip stormed over, slamming the thermos down on the cabinet so hard that soup sloshed out.
"Zoe Lynn! Are you done making a scene? Apologize to my mom, right now!"
He glared at me, and his face twisted in anger, as if I had just committed a federal crime.
He didn't even ask what happened.
It was always like this.
If his mother were upset, it was automatically my fault.
I stared at the man standing in front of me—the guy I had planned to spend the rest of my life with—and suddenly, he looked like a total stranger.
My heart turned completely to ice.
I ignored his shouting and just met his gaze with cold eyes.
Pulling out my phone, I unlocked it and opened my pink expense-tracker app.
I flipped the screen and shoved it right in his face.
"Take a good look, Philip.
"Three years ago, when you got your first job, I paid your $1,000 apartment deposit.
"Two years ago, when you needed study materials for grad school, I handed you $1,900.
"Last year, for your mom's birthday? That gold necklace cost $4,000, and it went straight on my credit card.
"And that designer coat you're wearing right now? I bought that for you last month. $1,500.
"We've been together for four years. Every single cent I've spent on you and your mother is documented right here. I haven't missed a single transaction.
"The grand total is $72,200.
"I never once planned on asking you to pay me back.
"I thought we were going to get married. I thought we were going to be family."
My voice was terrifyingly steady, stripped of all emotion.
"But today, your mother made it crystal clear that I'm just a hired caregiver.
"And caregivers charge for their services."
Philip's face drained of color, going from flushed red to a sickly, paper white.
He stared blankly at my phone screen, his mouth opening and closing like a fish, but no words came out.
The endless rows of expenses on that screen stood as an undeniable pillar of his shame.
I pulled my phone back and slipped it into my purse.
"Philip, I'm telling your mom, and I'm telling you.
"As of right now, I am officially done doing favors for this family for free.
"Anything that falls outside of my basic obligations will be billed at market rate.
"Business is business.
"And it's high time we settled our accounts."
Without another word, I grabbed my coat, turned on my heel, and walked out.
Behind me, Linda shrieked a string of curses while Philip yelled my name in absolute panic.
I kept walking, never once looking back.