The swelling on my cheek wasn't just from the slap. The toothache had made it worse.
A long silence stretched between us. Something complicated shifted behind William's eyes. His voice came out clipped, almost reluctant. "How long has this been going on? Why haven't you seen a dentist?"
"Three years. I couldn't afford it."
Who on the outside would ever believe it? Mrs. Sanchez of the Sanchez Group, unable to treat a cavity for three years because she didn't have the money.
William's brow furrowed tight. His breath hitched. He pulled out his phone and transferred ten thousand dollars to my account.
"Call it your year-end bonus. Go get it looked at tomorrow."
I stared at him for a long time, then nodded.
"William, just sign the papers."
I couldn't hold it in any longer.
His chair scraped against the floor with an ugly screech as he stood. He looked straight at me. "Pamela, do you even have a heart?"
I was suddenly so tired. I swallowed down the violent churning in my stomach and heard my own voice, hollow and flat. "Sign them. Don't make me think you actually care about losing me."