“Why didn’t you just tell the hospital administration?” I demanded.
“Because she caught me listening,” Clara said, tears welling in her eyes. “She cornered me in the supply room right before your operation and threatened my nursing license. According to her, she had powerful friends on the medical board, and one word from me would be enough to completely ruin my career.”
I stared at Clara in absolute disbelief.
“So you just quit your job and ran away?”
“I had to protect myself,” Clara pleaded. “But I couldn’t live with myself knowing I was letting her destroy you. She said your surgery was the perfect window.”
“What exactly does that mean?” I asked.
“She said the sale would close today while you were bedridden,” Clara explained.
“Thank you,” I told her, my chest tightening with sheer panic. “I need to go home right now and check my safe.”
I stood up, ignoring the burning pain in my abdomen from the surgery.
“Please be careful,” Clara whispered. “She is not who you think she is.”
I practically sprinted across the street to our house.
I slipped quietly through the back door, listening closely.
I could hear the water still splashing upstairs and Melissa singing softly to Chloe.
