Chapter 7 - THE OFFER SHE REFUSED
Nia agreed to meet Matteo in the hospital.
She arrived wearing faded jeans, a blue sweater, and the same worn sneakers she wore to work.
Two guards stood outside his room.
They stepped aside when she approached.
Matteo sat upright in bed.
He looked thinner than she remembered.
But his eyes were clear.
"Miss Lewis."
"Nia."
He nodded.
"Nia."
She remained near the door.
"Your attorney said you wanted to speak with me."
"Yes."
He gestured toward a chair.
She sat.
For several seconds, Matteo studied her.
Then he said:
"You noticed something twelve specialists missed."
"I noticed a symptom they needed to investigate."
"You're careful with your words."
"I've had to be."
Matteo looked down.
"I owe you an apology."
Nia blinked.
"For what?"
"For the way my household treated you."
She hesitated.
"You didn't even know my name."
"That's part of the apology."
Silence settled.
Then Matteo reached toward the bedside table.
A folder rested there.
"My attorney prepared a financial gift."
Nia immediately shook her head.
"No."
Matteo raised an eyebrow.
"You haven't seen the amount."
"I don't need to."
"You helped save my life."
"I told the doctors what I noticed."
"And you put yourself in danger."
Nia looked at him.
"Then help make sure I'm safe. Cooperate with the police. Don't let whoever did this hurt anyone else."
Matteo was silent.
She stood.
"I don't want your money."
"Why?"
"Because I don't want anyone thinking I belong to you."
The words struck him harder than she intended.
He slowly closed the folder.
"Then I won't offer it again."
Nia nodded.
"Thank you."
As she reached the door, Matteo spoke.
"Nia."
She turned.
"Yes?"
"Would you tell me about your grandmother?"
She hesitated.
Then smiled faintly.
"She was difficult."
Matteo almost laughed.
May you like
"So was mine."
And for the first time, their conversation became something other than a debt being negotiated.
