Page 36 of Great Pretender
“I need you,” she mutters.
“You got me. Come here, let me take care of you.” I pull her into my arms and holdher.
* * *
The next few hours that pass by are possibly the longest in my life as I watch Piper crumble and tell me what’s been going on with her.
She comes clean and tells me absolutely everything.From the ridiculous debt she’s been paying back for her father to his extensive stay in rehab.
When she’s done, I actually find myself furious with her father.
I’m mad his grief and addictions dragged Piper into such a mess, but those aren’t things I can judge him for, and I won’t, but what I can’t believe is that he kept the tumor quiet.
Peter St. Claire has always been one tough cookie, but what makes him worse is his stubbornness.
Fucking hell.
The man basically made a mess out of a situation that could have been fixed.I understand him not wanting to burden Piper, but something like a brain tumor you’re told to have surgery to remove is not a damn thing to keep quiet about.
I’m alsofuriousPiper went through so much and never told me.
No wonder things seemed off with her.It’s because they were. I think too that she would have come to her senses about Heath long before she was made to if she’d had the brain space to think.
When she fell asleep, I grabbed my phone and contacted the hospital.I managed to catch the name Dr. Cormack from her while she was talking earlier.So, when I called, I asked to speak to him, and when I got him, I handed over my bank card details and told him I’d be funding her father’s treatment.
I’m not doing it because she said she’d help me.I’m doing it for her, and I’ll cover her debts too.
Tonight, I pushed everything aside and thought of what I could do to help her.
I fell asleep at the kitchen table doing just that and woke to dainty hands on my shoulder.
I open my eyes and see her standing over me, looking weary but like she’s been given new hope.
“You paid for the surgery. The hospital just called to let me know.And there’s four hundred thousand dollars in my bank account.” Her eyes brim with tears.“Chad, you gave me the money I needed for everything.Thank you so much."
"Don't mention it."
"Are you kidding?I don’t have anybody else who would have done what you did for me.Dad can have his surgery and I don’t have to be in debt anymore."
"I just wish you’d come to me for help when you clearly needed me.”
“I’m sorry. Dad was embarrassed, and after all your family did for my mother, I just couldn’t.”
“I understand but don’t do that again, Piper.You knew I more than had the money to help you, and I would have done it in a heartbeat.”
"I know and thanks, I promise to pay you back as soon as I can.”
“Don’t you dare.”
“I have to. It’s too much.”
“It’s not. It was a gift so you don't have to give it back."
“Really?"
"Yes, of course."
"I can’t thank you enough. Thank you so much.” She throws her arms around me, and I pull her in closer.
