Chapter 2 - THE INSURANCE THAT DISAPPEARED
Emily did not thank Roman.
Not immediately.
“Why do you have my phone?”
“I bought it.”
“Why?”
“Because I know your husband.”
That made her colder.
Noah used the inhaler while Emily watched Roman.
“What does that mean?”
“Daniel worked for one of my companies.”
“Years ago.”
“Yes.”
“You follow former employees?”
“No.”
“Then why do you know about Noah’s insurance?”
Roman hesitated.
That was the wrong move.
Emily stepped closer.
“What did you do?”
“Nothing to the policy.”
“Then answer me.”
Roman explained.
Daniel’s company, Carter Cold Storage, was being acquired by Northway Transport.
Roman’s investment group financed part of Northway’s expansion.
During diligence, employee-benefit records showed Daniel had shifted himself onto a new executive plan.
Dependents were removed.
Emily stared.
“He told me Noah was still covered.”
Roman handed her the phone.
The call had ended.
Messages remained.
Emily opened the benefits portal from an old saved link.
Coverage termination:
six weeks earlier.
She went still.
Noah had seen a doctor twice since then.
Bills she thought insurance was processing had become unpaid balances.
Then Emily found a message she had missed.
Daniel:
Use the community clinic if you have to. I can’t keep fixing every crisis.
Emily sat down.
Roman looked toward Noah.
The boy was breathing easier now.
Then the landlord knocked again.
“Rent by tomorrow or I file.”
Roman turned.
“Name?”
The man glared.
“Excuse me?”
Roman handed him a business card.
The landlord’s expression changed.
Roman’s company was purchasing several blocks in the neighborhood.
Emily noticed.
“Don’t.”
Roman looked at her.
“Don’t what?”
“Don’t threaten him because you have money.”
Roman put the card away.
Good.
Then the landlord said something strange.
“Tell your husband I documented the notice like he asked.”
Emily froze.
“What?”
The landlord realized too late.
He closed his mouth.
Roman looked at Emily.
May you like
Daniel had not merely stopped paying rent.
He wanted proof she could not.
