Chapter 3

3

It was obvious they were looking for a free servant at the hospital.

They probably wanted me to pay the bills, too.

"Mrs. Turner, he is not my father-in-law. We have no relation."

"You should focus on finding your son to pay the bills. I have to work. Goodbye."

I hung up and went back to my routine.

My colleague, Joanne, leaned over my desk. "Lydia, are you single now? Want me to set you up?"

In my past life, I would have been too insecure to say yes.

But now? I gave her a bright smile. "Sure, Joanne. I trust your taste."

"My cousin is a captain in the fire department! He's a hero, and he's only two years older than you. Dinner tonight?"

I agreed instantly. Joanne was thrilled and made the call right away.

In my previous life, Joanne saw how exhausted I was and tried to help me, but I was too stubborn.

I had been so afraid of the old man being mistreated that I sacrificed my own happiness.

I was such a fool.

I met Logan for dinner, and we hit it off immediately.

He was steady, kind, and handsome. We kept in touch.

When Joanne asked how it went, I nodded. "He's great. Let's see where it goes."

She was over the moon. "He's a good man, Lydia. He'll treat you right."

I felt a blush creep up my face.

Logan and I started dating. For two months, the Turners didn't bother me.

But then, Mrs. Turner showed up at my office.

I was at my desk when the receptionist called.

"Lydia, you need to come down! An old lady is here with a man in a wheelchair!"

"She's making a huge scene in the lobby, claiming he's your father-in-law! People are staring!"

My heart hammered in my chest. "Father-in-law? I'm not married. She's a stranger!"

I made sure my voice was loud enough for the whole office to hear.

The receptionist sounded stressed. "I don't know, just get down here!"

When I hung up, everyone was looking at me.

"Lydia, what's going on?"

"I have no idea. Some crazy woman is trying to dump a sick man on me at my workplace!"

Joanne stood up. "That's insane! I'm coming with you."

"Yeah, this sounds like harassment!" another coworker added.

I played the confused victim perfectly.

When we got to the lobby, it was a mess.

Mrs. Turner was wailing on the floor.

Beside her, the old man was curled up in a wheelchair, covered in a filthy blanket.

His face was grey, and his lips were turning blue.

"You monster! He's dying and you won't even look at him!" she screamed when she saw me.

The crowd gasped.

"I've just started dating someone! I don't have a father-in-law!" I shouted, my voice echoing.

I pointed at the old man. "Look at him! He can barely breathe!"

"Why aren't you taking him to a hospital? You're trying to kill him just to frame me!"

"I think she's part of a scamming ring that targets professional women!"

The lobby erupted in whispers. Someone called 911 again.

"My god! His face is purple! This woman is evil!"

"Call an ambulance! He's going to die right here!"

Mrs. Turner panicked as the accusations of "murder" and "scamming" flew at her.

The paramedics arrived and pushed her aside. "Get back! He needs oxygen now!"

The police escorted Mrs. Turner to their cruiser while the old man was rushed to the ER.

I asked the officer quietly, "What happens to him now?"

"If the family won't pay, the state will place him in a nursing home and bill the relatives."

I felt a massive weight lift off my shoulders.

This time, that family would never touch a cent of my money again.