Innocent Elara

Chapter 4

After snoozing my alarm for what felt like the hundredth time, I finally forced myself out of bed. Today I was meeting my father’s doctor, and no matter how exhausted I felt, I couldn’t afford to be late.

I rushed into the bathroom, took a quick shower, and got dressed. I chose something casual—nothing too desperate-looking—since I planned to do some job hunting afterward. I couldn’t sit around anymore. The savings I’d carefully set aside were gone, drained by bills that haunted my dreams every single night.

I slipped on a simple black dress and pulled out a pair of heels to match. This dress had talked me out of two parking tickets before—so maybe today it could help me land a job. I finished my makeup, let my hair fall loose, and grabbed my handbag. When I checked the time, I cursed out loud.

Running late.

I locked the door, rushed to my car, and started the engine. The meeting spot was a small coffee shop near the hospital. When I arrived, I spotted him through the window—Dr. Hayes, sitting patiently with a morning paper in hand.

I quickly put on my heels and stepped inside the small, authentic café. One glance around told me everything—this place was a hotspot for doctors and nurses in the area.

I walked over to his table and greeted him with a warm smile. As soon as I sat down, a waitress approached.

“Black coffee and a chocolate muffin, please,” I said. She nodded, refilled Dr. Hayes’s cup, and walked away.

“Interview today?” he asked, studying me.

I gave him a faint smile. It was obvious he could see how badly my family had been treating me. Maybe that was why he wanted to meet in person.

“Elara?” he asked gently.

“Yes,” I replied.

“I think what you’re doing for your father is remarkable,” he said. “I always thought you’d stay in the family business—”

“Dr. Hayes,” I interrupted, my voice polite but firm. “Why did you want to see me today?”

The truth was, I had planned to take over my father’s company one day. But when he remarried, everything we’d talked about—everything we’d dreamed of—vanished overnight.

“I need to give feedback to the board today regarding the medical bills,” he said seriously. “I was hoping we could delay things another week, but they want answers today, child.”

Fear tightened in my chest.

“Audrey will make a payment shortly,” I said weakly.

He sighed, irritation flashing in his eyes. “You and I both know that woman would rather spend that money on a trip to Mexico than pay his bills.”

Dr. Hayes had been my father’s friend for years, and it was clear he shared my feelings about Audrey.

The waitress returned with my coffee and muffin. I took a sip, hoping it would wake me from this nightmare.

“I’ve considered the risks of moving your father,” he continued. “I’m not willing to do that. So I thought of another option—a loan.”

My breath caught.

“I know it’s a lot,” he added, “but I watched you grow up. I can see how badly you want to help him.”

“Dr. Hayes, I can’t accept that,” I said quickly. “I don’t even have a job right now. It wouldn’t be fair.”

“Then work for me part-time,” he said. “Help with paperwork. It’ll still give you time to find something else.”

Tears filled my eyes. The kindness of someone who wasn’t even family broke something inside me—especially knowing my own family forced me to sleep with men just to keep my father alive.

“So?” he asked. “What do you say?”

“Are you sure?” I whispered.

He smiled. “I’d help you any day. I won’t watch my lifelong friend suffer because of his wife’s ignorance.”

Before I could thank him, his pager went off—along with several others in the café.

“Come by later,” he said, standing. “We’ll discuss the details. And good luck with the job hunt. A woman with your talents shouldn’t waste them.”

After he left, I picked up the newspaper and scanned the job listings. There wasn’t much—waitressing or cleaning houses—but work was work.

I pulled out my phone to call one of the restaurants when it rang.

“What are you doing up this early?” I asked, surprised.

“Don’t act shocked,” Stacy snapped. “I got called in, and now my stupid car won’t start!”

I heard cursing—and what sounded like her physically attacking the car.

“I told you to check the engine light,” I said dryly.

“Don’t be a smart ass.”

“You called me,” I shot back.

She laughed. “Can you give me a lift to work?”

“Your place or your boyfriend’s?” I asked.

“My place.”

I paid the bill, thanked the waitress, and drove toward the south side of town. This area felt normal to me—it was close to where I grew up—but to my family, it was beneath them. Poor people. Criminals. Sick people.

Which made it even more surprising to see Audrey anywhere near here.

I found Stacy kicking her car like a lunatic. I laughed—until she climbed into my car, clearly irritated. Her blonde hair was neatly tied in a bun, her diner uniform spotless.

“So?” she asked. “What did the doctor say?”

“He gave me a loan.”

“Please tell me you didn’t sleep with him!” she yelled.

I shot her a glare. “Are you insane? He offered a loan—but I need a job to pay it back.”

“El, that’s amazing news!” she said, smiling warmly.

Stacy was more family to me than my own blood ever was.

When I stopped in front of her house, her mother rushed outside.

“Elara?” Mrs. Brown asked. “Can you help out today? One of the girls is sick, and we’re fully booked.”

I hesitated. I needed a job—but the Browns had always been there for me.

“Of course,” I said. “Where do you need me?”

Inside, the place was chaos—lines at the counter, people waiting everywhere.

“Ready for madness?” Stacy asked, handing me a uniform in the staff room.

“I don’t know if I still remember how,” I admitted.

She grinned. “Please. You ran this place like it was your dance floor. And keep the heels on—they’ll get you tips.”