All Yours

XVI

AURORA

I sit on my worn-out couch, staring at my phone, my thumb hovering over the call button. A knot of indecision twists in my stomach as I contemplate the life-altering decision before me.

Do I reject the job or not?

Lorenzo's smug smirk flashes in my mind, his predatory gaze as he loomed over me. Just the thought of being in close proximity to him every day sends a shiver down my spine. I don't think I can stand to be around him for another minute—let alone indefinitely. And who knows what he might try while we're alone at work? The man-made me strip during the interview, for Pete's sake.

But then, the other side of the argument creeps in. The pay.

It's not just good—it's extraordinary. This salary could do things for me that no other opportunity could, especially not with the jobs I'd been considering before this. Grandma's treatments flash in my mind, her tired smile as she reassures me she's "doing okay," even though I know she's lying. My chest tightens.

I sigh heavily, running my fingers through my hair. My happiness and safety should come first in this dangerous, shifty game Lorenzo seems to be playing. Right?

Steeling my resolve, I pick up my phone and start dialing Moretti Enterprises. My finger hovers over the call button, ready to decline the offer, when my screen lights up with an incoming call from an unknown number. Hesitantly, I press the green button and bring the phone to my ear.

"Hello?" I say cautiously.

"Hello, is this Ms. Evans?" a soft, professional voice answers on the other end.

"Hi...yes, this is her," I reply, furrowing my brow. Who could this be?

"Hi, my name is Darcy. I'm one of the receptionists at HD Anderson Cancer Center, and I'm calling regarding Nora Evans. I'm assuming she's your grandmother?"

The air seems to still around me, and my grip tightens on the phone. "Yes, that's correct," I say, my voice barely above a whisper. "Is everything okay?"

Darcy hesitates before answering, her tone noticeably softer. "She's... stable, but since the chemotherapy treatment didn't work the last few times, we're wondering if we can discuss alternative methods of treatment?"

My heart drops into my stomach. What? The chemo didn't work? All that pain and suffering she endured for nothing? My hand starts shaking, and I clutch the phone tighter to steady myself.

"Yes... yes, of course," I manage to say, my voice trembling. "Whatever you think will help, just—just do it."

"Understood," Darcy says gently, but there's a pause before she continues. "However, I do need to let you know that the alternative treatments will increase the cost significantly. Additionally, we haven't yet received the payment for the last round of treatment. Unfortunately, we can't proceed with the next course until the previous balance is settled."

Shit.

"Right," I say, forcing calm into my voice. My thoughts race, my mind immediately trying to calculate how I'll cover this. "I'm so sorry about that—I'll drop off the check today. Thank you for letting me know." There goes my lunch for the next month.

"Of course, dear. Take care," Darcy says, her tone softer now, like she can sense the tension in my voice. "I'll email you the updated costs and details shortly."

"Thank you," I say, hanging up.

The moment the call ends, my phone slips from my hand, and my face falls into my palms. Defeat presses down on me like a heavyweight. Tears prick the corners of my eyes, but I force them back. I don't have time to cry.