When the Billionaire Begs novel · Chapter 6 of 24

Chapter 6: Two Hours and $1,340

I reached the hospital with ninety minutes left and no plan.

I sat on a plastic chair outside the cardiac ICU with my phone in both hands and my bitten lip still bleeding.

Four friends had sent me small amounts, and the total was two thousand and ten dollars.

The desk wanted the rest of it in cash or on a card by eleven.

"Claire."

I looked up.

Stellan Bergstrom stood in the corridor in a paint-stained sweater, with his coat half on and his breath short from running.

"How did you know I was here?"

"Your apprentice called me." He took a packet of tissues from his pocket and held it out. "My card was on your counter from the mixer. She said you were in trouble, and that she didn't know who else to call."

I pressed a tissue to my lip. "It's not your problem."

"Is your mother in there?"

I nodded.

He sat down in the chair beside mine.

He did not touch me or tell me it would be all right.

"How much do they need?"

I told him.

He took out his wallet, and I put my hand flat over it.

"No."

"Claire."

"I just walked out on the richest man in this city, in front of two hundred people, because he made me beg for everything." My voice cracked. "I'm not going to start owing someone else."

"Then don't owe me," he said, calmly. "Borrow from me."

"What's the difference?"

"A date, and an amount, and your signature."

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