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416words
She looked up from her hospital bed, feigning surprise. “That's how you greet me? Not even a 'how are you feeling'? Real classy, David.”
“Your social media post sent my mother into shock. She's in emergency surgery right now, and the money we had for her medical bills is gone. What did you do with it?”
Lily shrugged, a cold look in her eyes,“Your mom was always sick. Don't put that on me. That money was marital property—it's marital property, I have a right to use it.”
“Frankly, she's a lost cause anyway. Maybe it's better to just let nature take its course.”
I couldn't believe what I was hearing. “Are you even human right now? My mom needs life-saving surgery now. Just transfer the money back.”
“Fine. At least send me $3,000 for the procedure right now. We can figure out the rest later.”
Lily avoided my gaze. “If you can't afford your mom's treatment, that's your problem. Don't take it out on me.”
“Lily, you're unbelievable. Want me to remind you why my income is what it is?”
“After graduation, I had a fantastic job offer in Seattle. But you refused to leave town—you threatened to break up if I took it.”
“Jobs here don't match my qualifications. Of course the pay is lower.”
“I even tried sales to earn more. But you complained I was never home—that I worked too much—so I quit.”
“I'm not blaming you. I made my choices. But I need that money now, and you stole it. Give it back.”
Lily said, “It's gone. I spent it.”
“$25,000? In less than a month? On what?”
A voice came from the other side of the curtain, “I know where it went. That guy she donated to—Jake. Some debt collectors showed up. She paid them off.”
Lily snapped toward the voice, “They weren' debt collectors. Jake invested in a promising project—it's just a temporary cash flow issue. I lent him the money. He'll pay it back.”
Another patient said, “I thought she was his wife. Turns out she's yours? Dude, you've been played.”
Someone else added, “She terminated a three-month pregnancy to donate to him. What a waste.”
“And after surgery, he moved to a private room. Left her here in shared lodging. She said it's fine—he needs rest. Did she donate her liver or her common sense?”
The room fell silent, all eyes on me with pity. But their judgment meant nothing anymore.
