Chapter 3 - THE WOMAN BEHIND THE FEAR
Olivia told him everything.
She had worked at a distribution center until she collapsed during a night shift. Doctors discovered a serious heart condition and ordered immediate treatment.
She lost her job.
Then the apartment.
Then nearly everything else.
“I thought I'd recover quickly,” she whispered.
“But you didn't.”
She shook her head.
“Every dollar went to medicine.”
Marcus looked at Maya.
The child sat beside her mother, holding the cake box like a treasure.
“Why didn't you tell anyone?”
Olivia laughed bitterly.
“Who?”
Marcus had no answer.
She looked at him.
“People say they'll help. Then they ask questions. Then they want paperwork. Then they decide you're too complicated.”
Marcus felt uncomfortable because he knew she was right.
“We're not looking for charity,” Olivia said.
Maya immediately nodded.
“I paid for the cake.”
Marcus almost smiled.
“You did.”
Olivia looked at her daughter.
“You shouldn't have needed to.”
Maya leaned against her.
“I wanted to.”
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
Then Marcus noticed something on the motel desk.
A letter from Callaway Freight Group.
His company.
His eyes narrowed.
The letter was addressed to Olivia Carter.
He picked it up.
Olivia's face went white.
“That has nothing to do with you.”
May you like
Marcus looked at the signature.
“Actually, it has everything to do with me.”
