Chapter 3Not Worth a Single Hair

Liam showed up that afternoon.

Trailing behind him was Ava Brooks, an expression of pure innocence painted on her face.

He didn’t even glance at Leo, lying pale and small in the hospital bed. He walked straight to me and tossed a black credit card onto the thin blanket covering my lap.

“There’s five million dollars on that,” he said, his voice devoid of any warmth. “It’s more than enough for you and the boy to live comfortably for the rest of your lives.”

He looked at me, his eyes hidden behind dark sunglasses. “Find another hospital. Wait for another donor.”

“My marrow is not an option.”

Ava stepped forward, placing a gentle hand on his arm. “Clara, please don’t be angry with Liam,” she said softly. “He’s… he’s about to start shooting a new action film. It’s incredibly demanding, and his doctors said he can’t risk any kind of physical strain.”

She paused, her eyes flicking towards Leo with a look of pity that made my skin crawl. “We feel terrible for Leo, truly. But Liam’s entire career is on the line…”

I stared at them, this perfectly rehearsed duo. The absurdity of it all was suffocating.

His career? Was his career more important than my son’s life?

Liam took off his sunglasses, his eyes cold and hard. “Don’t push your luck, Clara.”

“He’s my son, but he’s yours, too!” My voice was rising, cracking with disbelief. “I’ve done my part. I’m giving you the money. That’s more than fair.”

“If money could save him, I would get on my knees and beg you to take it!” The dam inside me finally broke, and I was screaming. “But you’re the only one who can save him! Liam, do you even have a heart?”

“My heart?” He took a step closer, backing me towards the wall. “I think a dog ate it five years ago, right around the time you so cleverly trapped me.”

He leaned in, his voice a venomous whisper meant only for me. “Besides… Ava’s delicate. She can’t handle stress. Leo’s life isn’t worth a single strand of her hair.”

He straightened up, leaving me trembling, my vision swimming with black spots.

I reached out, a last, desperate plea, and grabbed the sleeve of his jacket. “Liam…”

He kicked out, his foot connecting with my side. I lost my balance, stumbling backward and crashing hard against the wall. The tote bag I was holding fell, spilling Leo’s medical charts and billing statements all over the floor.

He wrapped a protective arm around a startled Ava and walked away without a second glance.

“Liam, honey, should we really just leave her like that…?” Ava’s voice faded down the hall.

“She’s a lunatic. Just ignore her.”