Chapter 2 – The Woman Who Refused to Give Up
Chapter 2 – The Woman Who Refused to Give Up
Walter quietly removed his cap.
"I'm sorry," he said. "I should've told you years ago."
Adrian finally looked at him.
"You knew?"
Walter nodded.
"Every single day."
The woman lifted a trembling hand.
"Please don't blame him."
"My name is Marissa Cole."
"My daughter is Lily."
"Lily thinks we're camping."
The little girl looked confused.
"Mommy says adventures don't last forever."
Marissa smiled weakly.
"I wanted her childhood to have at least one happy lie."
Adrian remained silent.
Marissa continued.
"My husband died three years ago while repairing power lines after a hurricane."
"The insurance company delayed payment."
"My landlord doubled the rent."
"My medical bills buried everything else."
She touched the oxygen tube.
"Pulmonary fibrosis."
"I can't work anymore."
Walter quietly spoke.
"I found them sleeping in their car."
"I couldn't leave them there."
"So I gave them the only empty unit no one wanted."
"I've been paying the rent myself."
Adrian slowly turned.
"You've been doing this without telling corporate?"
May you like
Walter nodded.
"For twenty-two months."
