Love's Tangled Web (Alex and Ellie)

Chapter 4 She Couldn't Afford It

Alex was offering Ellie a way out. All she had to do was play nice, call him by his name, and set up a meeting with Haley. Her internship would be back in an instant.

But Ellie shook her head, her resolve firm. She could find another job, but getting involved in Alex's pursuit of her brother's girlfriend? That was a line she wouldn't cross.

As she walked away, Alex's eyes followed her, his expression hardening. He remembered the quiet girl from the poor village, always in the background, quick to help. She had grown, her once timid presence now replaced by a confidence that challenged him. With a dismissive flick of his cigarette, Alex's voice was laced with a hint of a threat. "Ellie, we'll see how long your defiance lasts."

---

Ellie had been holed up in her tiny apartment all morning, wrestling with the urge to spill the beans about her job loss to her brother, Aaron. Finally, she decided it was time to come clean.

Over lunch, they both grabbed beef stew. Aaron, just as he settled in, threw out a question. "Hey, you weren't scared going into your first surgery, were you?"

As Ellie met her brother's gaze, the pride there choked her up, and the confession she was carrying got lodged in her throat.

"Rough day in the OR?" Aaron continued, fishing out the last few slices of beef from his bowl and plopping them into Ellie's, then playfully stealing some of her vegetables.

With her head down, Ellie watched the beef pile up in her bowl, her eyes starting to sting. "Aaron, I... I got let go from the hospital," she managed to say.

Aaron's hand froze, but he quickly recovered, offering comfort. "Just a setback, that's all. Take your time with the next gig. I got your back on the bills."

Ellie's eyes caught on the frayed edge of Aaron's shirt collar, and a silent heartache swelled inside her.

In this day and age, it was unusual to see clothes worn down to the threads. Despite Ellie and Aaron both bringing in some income, their dad's disability and constant need for meds, along with their mom's full-time care, meant they were stretched thin. Aaron had a way of putting it: "Ellie, a little hardship? That's nothing. We just can't miss a beat on Dad's meds."

Ellie, being a doctor, understood the harsh reality: missing meds could be as good as giving up.

She used to be puzzled by patients giving up, even when their conditions weren't fatal. But she got it now-they weren't giving up on life; they were just up against a wall financially.noveldrama

Noticing Ellie's gloom, Aaron put down his fork and gave her hair a comforting ruffle from across the table.

"I might not be rolling in it, but you're not going hungry," he assured her. "And I snagged you some sandals online. They'll be here soon. If they don't fit, we'll swap 'em out, no worries." His eyes showed nothing but brotherly love.

Ellie offered a small smile, her gaze flicking back to the worn collar. She ducked her head to mask the moisture in her eyes and dug into her meals with determination.

---

After lunch, Ellie headed to the library to escape the heat and enjoy the air conditioning. She lost herself in books for the entire afternoon, keeping her mind busy and feeling much better.

As she stepped outside, her phone buzzed in her pocket. Thinking it was her brother or Haley, she was taken aback when she saw it was the police calling.

They said, "Ms. Thompson, your brother's law firm has accused him of leaking confidential documents and selling client information. He's facing serious charges..."

Ellie's heart dropped. The officer's words felt like a heavy weight, but one thing hit her hard: Aaron was in trouble and could be going to jail.

"Haley!" she called out, relief washing over her as she spotted her friend at the police station entrance. Haley looked stunning in her stylish Chanel outfit, her hair perfectly done, and she seemed like a lifeline at that moment. Haley quickly pulled Ellie into her white Audi, cranking up the air conditioning. Despite the cool air, Haley was sweating. "Ellie, has Aaron had any issues with anyone recently?"

Ellie shook her head. Aaron was a law student known for being responsible and cautious. He would never do anything to ruin his future. "You know him. He wouldn't break the law, even if someone pushed him." Haley's expression turned serious. "A lawyer friend of mine hinted that Aaron might have crossed someone important."

Someone important? Ellie felt a chill run down her spine. She had just been fired that morning, and now Aaron was in deep trouble.

It must be Alex!