Chapter 6 - THE DEBT
“What money?”
Claire knew exactly what money.
But fear made her lie.
Dr. Harris didn’t.
“The transplant.”
Claire stepped into the hallway.
Rachel watched her.
“What about it?”
“I reviewed Daniel’s financial file.”
Claire’s voice sharpened.
“Why?”
“Because something didn’t make sense.”
“You’re his doctor.”
“I’m also on the transplant committee. A payment record crossed my desk.”
Claire looked down.
“Okay.”
“Claire, you personally covered almost everything insurance refused.”
She said nothing.
“The house. Your retirement account. The loan.”
“How do you know about the house?”
“The hospital financial counselor documented the source of funds.”
Claire closed her eyes.
“That information was supposed to be confidential.”
“It is.”
“Then why are we discussing it?”
“Because you asked the hospital not to tell your husband.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Claire laughed quietly.
“You’re serious?”
“I am.”
“Because he was dying.”
“That doesn’t answer my question.”
She walked to the bedroom window.
Rain streaked the glass.
“If Daniel knew I sold my mother’s house, he would’ve refused the surgery.”
Dr. Harris was silent.
Claire continued.
“He knew what that house meant to me.”
“And the loan?”
“Same reason.”
“You’re still paying it.”
“That’s generally how loans work.”
“Claire.”
Her eyes filled.
“Don’t.”
“You gave up almost everything.”
“No. I bought something.”
“What?”
“Time.”
Her voice broke.
“I bought him time.”
Dr. Harris exhaled.
“Does he know any of this?”
“No.”
“Are you planning to tell him?”
“No.”
“Even after what he did?”
Claire looked toward Rachel.
Her sister’s face was furious.
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because then he’ll come back.”
Dr. Harris paused.
“You think he would?”
“I know Daniel.”
She wiped her cheek.
“He’ll come back because he feels guilty. He’ll confuse guilt with love. Then I’ll spend the rest of my life wondering if he stayed because he chose me or because I bought his kidney.”
The doctor had no answer.
Claire said, “Please don’t tell him.”
“I can’t promise I’ll lie if he directly asks about the financial arrangement.”
“Then don’t bring it up.”
A long silence.
Finally, Dr. Harris said, “All right.”
Claire hung up.
Rachel stared at her.
“You’re protecting him again.”
“I’m protecting myself.”
“No. You’re making it easy for him.”
Claire’s eyes flashed.
“What do you want me to do? Send him an invoice?”
“I want him to know what he threw away.”
Claire shook her head.
“I don’t.”
Rachel walked toward her.
“He’s living with that woman while you’re sleeping in my guest room and working two jobs.”
“Stop.”
“He gets the kidney. He gets his health. He gets a new girlfriend.”
“Rachel.”
“And you get debt collectors?”
“I said stop!”
Rachel fell silent.
Claire’s chest rose and fell.
Then she whispered, “If I tell him, everything I did becomes a transaction.”
Rachel’s anger softened.
Claire looked down at the medical bills.
“I loved him. That’s all.”
Meanwhile, Daniel and Vanessa were booking a vacation to Miami.
“Beachfront,” Vanessa said. “You only get one second life.”
Daniel smiled.
His phone rang.
Unknown number.
He answered.
“Daniel Mercer?”
“Yes.”
“This is First Federal Lending. We’re attempting to reach Claire Mercer regarding a delinquent loan.”
Daniel frowned.
“What loan?”
The caller paused.
“I’m sorry. Are you not a co-borrower?”
“No.”
“Our mistake. We’ll update the file.”
Before Daniel could ask anything else, the call ended.
Vanessa looked up.
“What was that?”
Daniel stared at the phone.
May you like
“I don’t know.”
But for the first time, something about Claire’s silence began to bother him.
