The newsroom felt dead. Just the air conditioner humming, and somewhere far off, a police siren. Maya’s mom stood smack in the middle, holding that tiny slip of paper like it was a weapon. To anyone else, it was just a hospital bill. For Julian, it was his little brother’s life hanging in the balance.
Julian went pale. Not long ago, those hands of his had been fists, fighting off men in black. Now they just shook. He glanced at Maya, then stared at the ground. Growing up poor, he knew what money could do—or take away. He knew exactly what it meant to lose someone you love because you couldn’t pay.
“You’re a monster,” he said, voice rough and low. He honestly couldn’t believe a mom could be like this.
“I’m a mother who protects her business,” Maya’s mom shot back. She didn’t even bother
