Chapter 5 - WHAT LYDIA ACTUALLY WANTED
Eleanor reached for the note.
Alexander pulled it away. “Where did this come from?”
“I’ve never seen it.”
“You stored the folder.”
“I stored the legal document.”
“Then how did this get inside?”
Noah may attach deeply after I am gone. Please do not punish him for that. Grief is not disloyalty.
Do not ask him to replace me. Do not force him to perform acceptance for adults. If someone earns his trust, protect that bond unless it is unsafe.
Alexander lowered the page. “You knew what she wanted.”
“I knew Lydia was emotional.”
“She was dying.”
“She was frightened.”
“So you ignored her?”
“I protected this family.”
Alexander laughed bitterly. “No. You protected your idea of it.”
I stood near the bookcase, wishing I could disappear. This was not my family.
But Noah had made it impossible to pretend I was not involved.
If Alexander becomes consumed by work, tell him this: money can provide Noah a safe house. Presence makes it home.
Then Alexander looked at me. “How long have you had that resignation?”
“Three days.”
“Why didn’t you come to me?”
The question stung. “Because I’m staff.”
“That’s not an answer.”
“It is in this house.”
I continued. “Your mother runs the household. She made it clear that challenging her would cost me my reference.”
“And that mattered more than Noah?”
I stared at him. “No.”
He regretted the question immediately. I could see it.
I opened my apron pocket and pulled out another piece of paper: a tuition bill for my niece. My younger brother had died the previous year. I was helping pay for her community college.
“I need work, Mr. Sterling.”
“I stayed because I care about Noah. I was going to leave quietly because I also have people who depend on me.”
Eleanor did. “This is exactly why staff should remain staff. Emotional confusion creates leverage.”
Alexander turned on her. “She is not asking for anything.”
“No. She is standing in your study while your son calls her Mommy.”
“I called her Mommy because Mommy told me.”
May you like
Alexander whispered, “What?”
Noah pointed toward the hallway. “Mommy told me in the bunny box.”
