Chapter 2 - THE BILL ON THE KITCHEN TABLE

Six hours earlier, Emma had been dividing her paycheck between gas, groceries, Lily’s tuition, and her father’s care.

Thomas Carter had been in and out of Northwestern Memorial for five months after a warehouse fall damaged his spine and triggered complications from an old heart condition.

“Go to work,” he told Emma from his hospital bed.

“You say that like I’m choosing between work and a cruise.”

“You should be doing something better than carrying trays for rich people.”

“Rich people tip.”

“Rich people also think twenty dollars makes them generous.”

That night’s Moretti Foundation gala paid double. Emma took it.

Near nine o’clock, she noticed the elderly woman in the wheelchair.

Alone.

The woman could not reach her water, so Emma handed it to her.

“Thank you, sweetheart.”

“Of course.”

The woman smiled.

“You remind me of someone.”

Emma laughed lightly. “Hopefully somebody nice.”

Before the woman could answer, Victoria arrived.

Victoria Langford wore silver silk and enough diamonds to pay Emma’s family debt twice.

“What are you doing here?” Victoria asked the older woman.

“I was invited.”

“You were supposed to remain in the private lounge.”

The older woman’s smile disappeared.

“You embarrassed me at dinner last week,” Victoria hissed.

“I told the truth.”

“You made Vincent question the merger.”

“He should.”

Victoria’s face hardened.

“You’re confused.”

“No.”

“You’re old.”

Emma turned back.

The old woman said, “And you are cruel.”

Victoria raised her hand.

That was when Emma moved.

Now, minutes later, Vincent Moretti stood beside his mother while the entire ballroom watched.

Emma’s manager rushed over, horrified. Vincent corrected her quietly: “My mother owns the foundation.”

Then Isabella looked at Emma and said, “Bring Thomas to me.”

Emma’s stomach dropped.

“He’s in the hospital.”

Isabella closed her eyes.

As if she already knew.

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And Vincent asked softly:

“What happened to him?”