Chapter 13 - THE SECRET HIDDEN IN LILY'S MEDICAL FILE
My first instinct was to call my sister.
She answered immediately.
"Claire?"
"Are you okay?"
"Yes. Why?"
I closed my eyes.
She was safe.
But Adrian Cole's message had reopened every fear I'd ever had.
Rebecca requested a thorough review of Lily's medical records.
Not because we believed her diagnosis was false.
Lily had suffered a devastating spinal infection four years earlier.
Her mobility impairment was real.
But something about the treatment timeline didn't fit.
An independent neurologist reviewed the records.
Then another.
Both found the same problem.
Lily's infection had been diagnosed late.
Too late.
She'd visited an urgent-care clinic three times during the week before hospitalization.
Each time, staff documented severe back pain, fever, and neurological symptoms.
Each time, she was sent home.
The clinic belonged to Mercer Health Partners.
My stomach turned.
"Did they do this deliberately?"
The neurologist shook her head.
"We cannot say that. Medical negligence and intentional harm are very different claims. But the delay warrants investigation."
Rebecca searched the corporate files.
The clinic had been under pressure to reduce expensive emergency referrals.
Charles Mercer personally approved the cost-control policy.
My hands shook.
Lily might have received faster treatment if financial incentives hadn't encouraged staff to dismiss symptoms.
Would it have prevented her disability?
Nobody could promise that.
And I didn't want false certainty.
But the possibility broke my heart.
Lily listened quietly when we explained.
Then said something I didn't expect.
"I don't want my life turned into evidence that I'm broken."
I stared.
"Lily—"
"I'm serious."
She rolled her wheelchair closer.
"What happened was terrible. If people were negligent, they should answer for it."
Her eyes met mine.
"But don't talk about me like my life ended when I lost the ability to walk."
Tears filled my eyes.
"You're right."
She smiled.
"I'm still annoying."
"Extremely."
"Still smarter than you."
"Debatable."
Roman laughed from across the room.
Lily pointed at him.
"And I like him."
I groaned.
"Traitor."
She grinned.
Then her expression softened.
"Claire, you've spent four years trying to save me."
My chest tightened.
"You're my sister."
"I know."
She took my hand.
"But maybe you get to have a life too."
I looked toward Roman.
He immediately pretended to be very interested in the window.
Lily smiled.
"Subtle."
Later, Rebecca received another update.
Adrian Cole had contacted authorities through an attorney.
He wanted immunity consideration in exchange for cooperation.
He admitted Charles Mercer hired him to recover Dad's key.
But Vivian changed the plan.
Charles wanted me frightened.
Vivian wanted me gone.
According to Adrian, she believed Roman had begun noticing me months before Christmas.
My stomach twisted.
"That's why she hated me?"
Roman looked uncomfortable.
I turned.
"Had you?"
He rubbed his jaw.
"Noticed you?"
"Yes."
He hesitated.
Then answered honestly.
"Yes."
My heart fluttered.
"Since when?"
"Your first week."
I stared.
"Two years?"
He nodded.
"Why didn't you say anything?"
"I was already committed to a family arrangement with Vivian."
That answer surprised me.
He hadn't flirted.
Hadn't used power to pursue an employee.
He'd kept distance.
Then Adrian's statement revealed the final secret.
Vivian hadn't discovered my medical debt by accident.
She'd been searching my background because she'd found Roman's private file.
Inside was a photograph.
Not of business documents.
Not of enemies.
Of me.
May you like
Taken at the estate Christmas party one year earlier.
Roman had kept it.
