I Walked Away Seven Years Too Late But Right on Time novel Chapter 198

"Then I'm writing you an IOU."

Gwen refused to play the hero when she was broke. The caregiver fees alone were a massive expense, and her dad would need ongoing rehab treatments at the hospital every month. All of that required money.

But she didn't want to owe her friends either. Even best friends needed clear boundaries with money. Money was the ultimate litmus test for any relationship. She absolutely refused to let a financial debt create a rift between her and Sophie.

Jokingly making Gavin pay for dinner was one thing—it was harmless banter between friends. But renting an apartment wasn't a small amount, and she wasn't about to take advantage of them.

"There's no need for that. Do we really need to keep score?" Sophie argued, clearly disapproving.

"Listen to me. Friendship is friendship, and money is money. They are two entirely separate things. It's exactly because I value our friendship so much that I want to keep this clear."

Gwen quickly scribbled out an IOU, signed her name, and handed it to Sophie.

Her father's surgery and hospital stay had cost tens of thousands of dollars. Tragically, she hadn't even had that much in her account at the time. Jason was the one who had fronted the money.

When her dad was discharged, her medical insurance had reimbursed more than half of the cost. She had instructed the hospital to transfer the reimbursement directly to Jason's account. The remaining balance she had wired to Jason herself.

At first, Jason had refused to accept it, giving the exact same excuse—that they didn't need to be so calculative.

But Gwen had insisted. They were currently just dating, and Jason had no legal or moral obligation to shoulder her family's medical debt. She refused to let money poison their relationship.

Jason walked out, supporting George. He had rolled his pant legs up to his knees, but they were still soaked, and his t-shirt was heavily splashed with water.

Gwen helped Jason settle her father in the master bedroom before turning to him. "Should I ask Gavin to lend you some clothes to change into?"

Jason was a full head taller than her father, so George's clothes definitely wouldn't fit. While Gavin was slightly taller than Jason, he was leaner. However, their clothes were roughly the same size.

"It's fine. It's boiling out; it'll dry in a few minutes."

Jason rolled his pant legs back down, then pulled his t-shirt away from his chest and flapped it to cool off.

Sensing they were currently third wheels, Gavin and Sophie took the opportunity to say their goodbyes.

"Thanks for everything. I owe you both big time." Gwen tapped her chest, signaling that she'd remember their kindness forever.

After walking them out, she turned back to Jason. "You should go pick up Mia now. You've had a brutal day driving. Go home and get some sleep."

"Gwen, is there something on your mind?"

Jason grabbed her hand and pulled her down to sit beside him on the sofa.

"What could possibly be on my mind? I'm just exhausted. I smell terrible, and I just want to shower and crash. You really need to head back too."

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