Chapter 6 - THE WOMAN WHO PUT A PRICE ON MY MOTHER'S LIFE
My mother needed her treatment.
That was the only thing I could think about as I listened to the nurse explain why her medical assistance had suddenly disappeared.
The appointment was scheduled for Monday.
We had waited seven weeks.
Now someone had withdrawn the financial guarantee three days before it was due.
"Who authorized the cancellation?" I asked.
The nurse hesitated.
"The charitable sponsor."
"Who specifically?"
"I don't have that information."
I closed my eyes.
"Please don't cancel the appointment yet. We're trying to resolve the payment."
She agreed to ask the billing office about possible alternatives.
When I ended the call, my hands were trembling.
Adrian looked at me.
"What's wrong?"
I told him.
The medication.
The upcoming treatment.
The foundation that suddenly refused to pay.
He immediately recognized the name.
"Vane Medical Charities."
I nodded.
"Coraline's family?"
"Yes."
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then I laughed bitterly.
"So she couldn't get enough satisfaction from having me fired."
Adrian's expression darkened.
"I'll ask my attorneys to examine the funding records."
I shook my head.
"That won't help Mom on Monday."
"You're right."
He paused.
"I can help with the immediate costs, if you'll accept it."
I stared.
"I'm not asking for charity."
"I know."
"Then why?"
"Because your mother's healthcare shouldn't depend on someone's personal grudge."
My throat tightened.
He continued.
"We can arrange independent payment directly to the provider. No debt to me. No conditions."
I looked at Mom.
She had been listening quietly.
Her eyes were filled with tears.
For eighteen months, we'd fought insurance denials, confusing paperwork, and expensive prescriptions.
And now, when help was finally within reach, I was afraid to accept it.
Mom squeezed my hand.
"Hannah, this isn't about pride."
I swallowed.
Then turned toward Adrian.
"All right. But I want everything documented."
He nodded.
"Of course."
"And if I can repay anything later—"
"You can discuss that with the attorney. But the assistance isn't a loan."
For the first time that day, I could breathe.
Two hours later, the hospital confirmed that Mom's appointment could proceed.
I nearly cried from relief.
Then a message appeared on my phone.
Coraline Vane.
Enjoy your little victory.
Another message followed.
Tell Adrian I know why his brother really disappeared.
I stared.
Adrian read the message with my permission.
His expression changed.
"Call her," I said.
He shook his head.
"Not without preserving the evidence."
We forwarded the messages to the investigator reviewing the threats.
Then Adrian's phone rang.
An unfamiliar number.
He answered.
A man's voice spoke.
"Adrian?"
Adrian stopped breathing.
"Who is this?"
A pause.
Then the man whispered, "It's Julian."
Adrian gripped the phone.
His younger brother.
Alive.
"Where are you?"
The voice broke.
"Don't trust the Vane family."
Adrian looked toward me.
Then Julian said something that made his face turn white.
"Coraline isn't trying to destroy Hannah because she embarrassed her."
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"Then why?"
"Because Hannah's mother has the only evidence that can prove who murdered Dad."
