“If you don’t pay, she dies,” Leticia said, slamming a hospital bill onto the receptionist counter. “You said that with a smile,” Madeleine replied. Her voice was calm; the words were precise. She reached out, moved the paper, and read the headline aloud as if she were reading a menu: OUTPATIENT BALANCE: UNPAID. “Pay the balance, or we stop treatment,” Leticia repeated. Her smile stayed. “You know how these things look in Harbor City. You don’t want Milo’s name trending under ‘negligent mother,’ do you?” The clinic’s receptionist looked up, fingers frozen on a keyboard. “Excuse me, ma’am, this is a private matter—” Leticia cut her off. “Not when the patient is a Bruce. People pay attention.” “Patient?” Madeleine asked slowly. “Who is the patient?” Leticia tilted her head. “Your son. The registry has your name. The surgery is scheduled. We all know what happens when bills go unpaid. Simple economics.” Madeleine’s mouth tightened. “That registry entry is under Bruce. It doesn’t mean anything if it isn’t real.” The receptionist pushed a small stack of forms toward Leticia. “This notice came in this morning. The bank transfer failed.” “Is that right?” Madeleine asked. She reached for the keyboard. “Give me the patient ID.” “No,” Leticia said sharply. “You give me the money. Or I’ll make sure the clinic follows protocol.” “You want money,” Madeleine said. “You want me to pay you.” “It’s not money, Madeleine.” Leticia’s voice cooled. “It