Sham Marriage Quit Real Heiress Strikes Back novel Chapter 6

Chapter 6 Reclaiming Five Years of Medical Bills.

Ryan handed both booklets to Alexander. “These are the ones Miss Sterling picked.”

& KID

Finished

Alexander lowered his lashes slightly, long and thick, casting a shadow across his sharp features. His gaze paused briefly on the strapless dress Elena had chosen.

Then his slender fingers pointed to a different design. “Keep the ring she picked. Change the dress to this one.”

Ryan was a little stunned. Isn’t Elena the one getting married? Why is Alexander overriding her choice?

But he didn’t ask questions. Just nodded. “Understood.”

“Schedule the exclusive with Swiftline.”

Alexander’s tone was calm and cool, with no visible emotion. But that request left Ryan completely speechless.

Swiftline was where Elena worked. And Alexander? He never did interviews. Ever. Let alone for

a second–tier outlet like Swiftline.

Then it hit him. Elena was going to be his wife. Spoiling his wife–that’s only natural, right?

After dinner, Elena left the restaurant and drove her own Mercedes back to the Hawthorne estate. On the way, she called her best friend, Chloe Bennett.

These past few days, she’d been crashing at Chloe’s place, avoiding the suffocating vibe of the Hawthornes. She’d even moved a bunch of her stuff over.

“I’m not coming tonight. Gotta head back to the Hawthornes.”

Elena clicked on her Bluetooth headset. Chloe’s voice was full of alarm. “You’re going back there? Hold up, I’m on my way!”

Elena’s build was delicate. If things blew up, she could actually get hurt.

“Relax, we’re not at that point yet. Just wait for my good news.”

“Fine, but call me the second anything happens. If it gets ugly, I swear we’ll drag their name through the mud.”

Chloe had been disgusted ever since she found out what happened. As just a friend, she could barely accept it–so how could Elena?

Elena stepped on the gas. Soon, her car pulled into the Hawthorne estate.

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Chapter 6 Reclining The Years of Medical Bills

She touched up her makeup, then slowly got out.

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Finished

The moment she stepped inside, she saw Camille sitting next to Victoria, holding a cup of coffee. There was a faint trace of disdain in Camille’s eyes, but Victoria didn’t notice, too busy clutching her chest, coughing uncontrollably.

Victoria had severe asthma. Over the last five years, Elena had been the one managing her treatments, just trying to earn her place in the family.

Victoria was sprawled on the couch now, assuming Elena would apologize. But Elena barely glanced at her and headed upstairs.

Victoria was stunned. She bolted upright. “Elena! cough, cough—”

Another round of gut–wrenching coughs and gasps followed. Elena paused on the stairs, her face blank as she turned to look at Nathan and his mother, both staring at her in shock.

“What’s wrong, Mom? I’ve had a long day. Just want to sleep.”

“You–Nathan, look at your wife. This is how she treats your mother? I practically died taking care of you, and she’s acting like nothing happened!”

Victoria was fuming. Her husband, Victor Hawthorne jumped in to back her up. “What job is so important, huh? Can’t the Hawthornes afford to support you? You can’t even take care of the family!”

Nathan frowned and walked over to Elena. His voice was hard. “I know you’re upset with me, but don’t take it out on Mom. Call Dr. Mercer and get him to see her.”

“I’m not going.” Elena’s reply was cold and direct. The room went dead silent.

Victor and Victoria both stared at her like they’d just seen a ghost. Was she out of her mind? Talking back to them? Camille nearly laughed out loud.

Still, she put on a fake smile and said, “Elena, how could you say that? It’s not like we’re asking you to pay the doctor’s fee.”

That made things worse.

Elena sighed, “So you’re admitting you didn’t pay him, huh? You know, over the last five years, he came multiple times a month. Dr. Mercer’s retired now, but even back when he was practicing, just getting an appointment cost $5,000. And that’s not even counting the actual

treatment.”

“You didn’t pay him a dime. You think he’s just dying to come here out of goodwill?”

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Chapter 6 Rectalming Five Years of Medical Blis

Camille was speechless. That is… seriously stingy.

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Trying to smooth things over, Camille quickly jumped in. “Elena, that’s on you. You should’ve offered to cover the cost. It’s not a big deal. I’ll pay for it now.”

Ah, there it was. The eager–to–please move. Elena didn’t hesitate. She whipped out her phone and opened the calculator.

“Cool. Let’s say five hundred thousand, give or take.”

“That much?!” Camille’s voice cracked.

“Half a mil’s a lot? This went on for five years. Three, four visits every month. And don’t forget gifts, social niceties–basic human decency, right? Or what, you’re too stingy to cover it now?”

Elena dragged out her words on purpose, smirking as she said it.

Victoria jumped in, flustered. “Camille, you don’t have to pay that. You’re young, it’s not easy making money-”

But Camille, jaw clenched, looped her arm around Victoria’s and said to Elena, “I’ll transfer it right now. Just bring Dr. Mercer tomorrow.”

She pulled out her phone and sent the payment right in front of Victoria. Elena smiled coolly. “Fine. I’ll call Dr. Mercer first thing tomorrow.”

Before she even reached her room, she heard Victoria’s voice floating up the stairs, suddenly full of warmth, “You’re so sweet, Camille. Not like that ungrateful brat! Don’t worry, I’ll give you the money back.”

“Mom, it’s nothing. Your health is what really matters…”

Yeah right. Nothing? Camille was practically grinding her teeth when she hit send on the transfer. But she didn’t care anymore. As soon as she got back to her room, she called Julian Mercer and scheduled a visit for the next day.

While she was on the call, Nathan walked in–and just so happened to hear the part where she was confirming the time.

His tense expression softened. Ever since the accident, he’d felt like something was off with Elena.

“Babe.”

He walked over and wrapped an arm around her waist. “Still mad at me? Can we stop fighting? I missed you.”

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Chapter 6 Reclaiming Five Years of Medical Bills

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Elena caught a faint whiff of freesia cologne. She never wore that scent. Her stomach turned.

She forced herself to stay composed. Voice soft, she pouted, “Why is Camille still here? You know I can’t stand her. Tell her to leave.”

“Mom’s not doing well. She’s here to help take care of her.”

Nathan didn’t love having Camille around either, worried they’d slip up. But Victoria had insisted on it.

Elena was even more disgusted. Like Victoria could do anything without his approval. He paused, his tone suddenly sweeter. “Babe, I need you to do something for me.”

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