Chapter 5 - The Price of Staying
Vincent Rossi was arrested that afternoon.
Dr. Bell surrendered two days later through an attorney.
The story hit every news station in the city.
Attempted murder.
Corporate conspiracy.
Medical tampering.
Dominic's name was everywhere.
But inside the mansion, something strange happened.
Life became quiet.
Actually quiet.
Not frightened quiet.
Dominic improved quickly once nobody was poisoning him.
By the fourth day, he could walk the hallway without assistance.
By the sixth, he was impossible.
“You can't work.”
“Watch me.”
“You have stitches.”
“I have meetings.”
“You have antibiotics.”
“I have employees.”
“You have a nurse who can unplug your laptop.”
He looked at me.
“You wouldn't.”
I reached for the charger.
He closed the computer.
“Dictator.”
“Patient.”
“Extortionist.”
“Alive.”
That ended most arguments.
On Friday, Leo found me in the kitchen.
“Your car is fixed.”
I stared at him.
“What?”
“The sedan.”
“Who fixed it?”
He looked toward the ceiling.
“Mechanical intervention occurred.”
“Leo.”
“Mr. Rossi had it repaired.”
I marched upstairs.
Dominic was standing by the window.
“You fixed my car.”
“I was tired of looking at it.”
“You replaced the transmission.”
“It was offensively loud.”
“And four tires.”
“Dangerous.”
“And the windshield.”
“Cracked.”
I folded my arms.
“How do you know all that?”
He turned.
“I asked.”
“Why?”
His expression became serious.
“Because you saved my life.”
“That's my job.”
“No. Your job was changing bandages.”
I didn't answer.
He stepped closer.
“You stayed when staying became dangerous.”
“I needed the paycheck.”
“At first.”
That stopped me.
“At first,” he repeated.
I looked away.
Dominic reached into a drawer and handed me an envelope.
“What is this?”
“Your salary.”
“Already?”
“Plus hazard pay.”
I opened it.
My breath caught.
“This is too much.”
“No.”
“Dominic.”
“You were almost killed because of me.”
“I wasn't killed.”
“That's your argument?”
“Apparently.”
I handed the envelope back.
He refused it.
“Pay your rent.”
“How do you know about that?”
“You told Leo.”
“I told him rent was due.”
“He investigated.”
“That's horrifying.”
“He's thorough.”
I laughed despite myself.
Dominic smiled.
Then I remembered something.
“My contract ends Sunday.”
His smile disappeared.
“I know.”
“You don't need full-time nursing anymore.”
“No.”
“So I suppose Nurse Seven finally leaves.”
He looked at me for a long moment.
“Is that what you want?”
The question caught me off guard.
“I want my old life back.”
“Do you?”
Three months ago, my old life had meant hospital shifts, vending-machine dinners, and worrying about money.
But it had also meant independence.
Dominic stepped closer.
“I don't know what happens after Sunday.”
“Neither do I.”
“But I know I don't want you staying because you feel obligated.”
“I don't.”
“Or because you need money.”
“I don't anymore.”
“Good.”
He nodded.
“Then leave.”
The words hurt more than they should have.
I grabbed my duffel.
“Fine.”
“Nora.”
I stopped.
“When you decide what you actually want, come back and tell me.”
I turned.
“What if I don't?”
His face remained calm.
“Then I'll know your answer.”
I left the Rossi estate Sunday morning.
Dominic didn't stop me.
May you like
For some reason, that made leaving harder.
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