Chapter 4

The next morning, I woke up to find my name plastered all over the local news.

*“CEO of Apex Bio-Tech’s Ex-Wife Demands Exorbitant Divorce Settlement; Sources Claim Chemotherapy Has Left Her Mentally Unstable.”*

The article featured a blurry screenshot of the hospital hallway security camera. My face was pixelated, but Leo’s back was clearly visible as he was pushed in a wheelchair.

The comment section was vile.

*“If you have cancer, just accept your fate. Don't ruin your husband’s life.”*

*“A mentally unstable mother is a danger to her own child. Good thing the dad is stepping up.”*

I shut off my phone and pressed a hand to my chest. It wasn't just anger—my heart was racing from the chemo-induced palpitations.

At 9:30 AM, the hospital billing clerk walked in.

"Mrs. Vance, there is an outstanding balance of ninety-four thousand dollars on your account. Mr. Carter has terminated his authorization for all payments. If this isn't cleared in three days, we will have to discharge you."

She paused, lowering her voice. "I'm so sorry. We aren't trying to be cruel, but the administration got a call from high up."

At 11:00 AM, a middle-aged woman walked in. She introduced herself as a social worker from Child Protective Services (CPS).

"We received an anonymous tip that the patient in Room 305 might have self-harm tendencies and pose a threat to her child. We need to conduct an safety assessment."

I sat on the edge of the bed, watching her check off boxes on her clipboard. Leo lay face down on his pillow, making low, incoherent noises.

After the social worker left, I stared at the ceiling, wanting nothing more than to pull the covers over my head and disappear.

Logan was blocking every single exit. The press, the hospital, the state—he was squeezing me from every angle, trying to crush my spirit until I couldn't even stand.

When the room fell dead silent, Leo’s voice suddenly rang out.

"Mom."

I spun around. His eyes were clear, though I could tell he was struggling to hold onto his consciousness.

"The more desperate he gets, the sloppier his moves will be. Those news articles are clear defamation. Tell Marcus to preserve all the digital evidence."

After saying that, his eyes drifted shut, and his fingers began to twitch rhythmically against the sheets again.

In the afternoon, Marcus called me.

"I got the bank records. On March 12, 2019, exactly eight hundred and twenty thousand dollars was transferred from your account to Apex Bio-Tech’s corporate account, marked as 'Investment.' Furthermore..."

I heard the rustle of papers over the line.

"Your house. The deed is solely in your name. The down payment of one point forty-six million dollars came entirely from your personal account. The mortgage was paid jointly. Yet, in this divorce agreement, he gets the entire property. How is that fair?"

It wasn't.

It never was. But when I signed those papers, my hands were shaking so hard I couldn't even read the text. Even if I had, I was too physically exhausted to fight.

"I’ve already filed an emergency motion with the family court to freeze all marital assets. My argument is that you signed the agreement under the influence of heavy chemotherapeutic drugs," Marcus said. He paused. "At the same time, I’ve filed a lawsuit to restore your shareholder status. Once the forensic analyst proves your signature was forged, your forty percent ownership is legally bulletproof."

After we hung up, my nurse, Sarah, came in to change my IV. When the room was clear, she quickly slipped an envelope from her pocket under my pillow.

"Someone asked me to pass this to the patient in 305," she whispered.

Inside was a heavy, gold-embossed invitation: *Apex Bio-Tech Charity Gala. This Saturday, Century Hotel Grand Ballroom.*

I flipped it over. On the back, a sticky note was attached. No signature.

Just four words: *You should be here.*

At the bottom of the invitation, the theme of the gala was printed: *Shielded by Love: The Autism Family Support Initiative.*

Keynote Speaker: *Logan Carter, CEO of Apex Bio-Tech.*

Speech Topic: *A Father’s Sacrifice.*