My Undercover Billionaire Boyfriend

Chapter Nine: The Hospital

ALLISON

I start to sweat as we pull up to the hospital. I don't want to be here. I hate hospitals. They only remind me of my sister and how the healthcare system and insurance failed her.

When Meg was diagnosed with cancer, we went all out to fundraise after her insurance denied her claims. We raised tens of thousands of dollars for Meg's care but struggled to get her into a good treatment facility.

We scrimped and saved to afford her medicines. My parents took out a second mortgage on their house to help pay for Meg's treatment.

It wasn't enough.

The bills kept piling up and we were drowning in debt. We tried to not let Meg see the financial catastrophe we were in, but she saw it anyway. I will never forget the horrible day she told us she was stopping treatment.

"You can't do this," I say to my sister, feeling numb. Behind me, Mom is crying and the sharp smell of the hospital antiseptic burns my nose.

"Yes, I can," Meg says firmly. Even though she was a shadow of her former self, her stubbornness remained. "I'm stopping treatment, Allison. I'm choosing to die with dignity."

"You're choosing to give up!"

"Don't you dare accuse me of giving up," Meg says, her voice trembling. "I'm never going to get better, Allie. You, Mom, and Dad are in debt trying to pay for treatments that won't work. I'm not going to do any experimental treatments that will only prolong my pain."

"What about Lucy?" I try to grasp onto anything to try and change Meg's mind. "Don't you want to see her grow up?"

"Of course I do," Meg says fiercely. "Do you know how much it kills me that I won't be here for my baby? But I'm tired, Allison. I'm tired. You're not going to change my mind so stop asking."

Meg died two months later. I've never forgiven the health insurance companies and the billionaires who run them for killing Meg. Their greed is the reason my sister is dead.

And now here I am. At a fucking hospital.

How am I supposed to afford the hospital bills? It was only a stupid fall. I don't need to be here. I just need to rest at home.

"This is completely unnecessary," I say. "I want to go home."

"Absolutely not," Nick says firmly. "You could have a concussion. You need to be treated."

"I didn't even hit my head, Nick!"

"I will hear nothing further from you. Am I understood?"

There's authority and command in his voice and it's enough to shut me up.

It's clear he's a man used to getting his way. I wonder what it would be like to be dominated by him.

"You make me go to the doctor when I don't feel good," Lucy chirps from beside me. "So now Nick is making you go to the doctor because you don't feel good."

The driver drops us off at the emergency room doors. I open the door to get out but Nick is there in a flash, scooping me up into his arms and holding me bridal style.

I squeak, my face burning. This is embarrassing.

His muscular arms envelope me entirely, pressing me firmly against his body. I'm close enough that I can see the stubble on his face and see his Adam's apple bob as he swallows. He smells so good.

The automatic doors smoothly slide open and I close my eyes, unable to stomach seeing everyone stare at me.

Nick's gait is confident and even though my eyes are closed, I can tell we are moving quickly through the waiting room. Where's my purse? I will need to show my ID and insurance card.