Chapter 2 - The Perfect Fiancée
Adrian stared at Naomi as if he had never seen her before. “Is that true?”
“No, sir.”
Celeste pressed a hand to her chest. “I came in and found her shouting. Your mother was frightened. I tried to calm things down, and Naomi lost control.”
Evelyn opened her mouth, but Celeste turned toward her with a look so quick Adrian missed it. The old woman lowered her eyes.
Naomi felt anger rise, hot and useless. She could tell him about the bruises, the unlabeled bottle, and the document hidden in Celeste’s pocket. But Celeste had already built a story, and Naomi was standing in a uniform with broken porcelain at her knees.
“Mrs. Vale needs to rest,” Celeste said. “Perhaps Naomi should take a few days off. She seems overwhelmed.”
“I don’t need days off,” Naomi replied. “I need someone to ask Mrs. Vale what happened.”
For one second, Evelyn looked directly at her son. Naomi saw the truth pressing against the old woman’s fear. Then Evelyn’s fingers began to tremble. She looked at Celeste and whispered, “I’m tired. I must have misunderstood.”
Adrian exhaled. “Take the rest of the day, Naomi. We’ll discuss this tomorrow.”
Celeste escorted her into the hallway, her hand resting lightly on Naomi’s shoulder for anyone watching. Once the bedroom door shut, her fingers dug in.
“Your employment is suspended pending review,” he said. “Mrs. Vale has concerns about your conduct.”
Naomi took the envelope. Her rent was due in six days. Her younger brother’s community-college payment came from the money she sent him every month. She had no savings large enough to survive a long suspension.
Instead, she circled the house to the garden windows. Evelyn’s bedroom light was on. A shadow crossed the curtains, then disappeared.
May you like
A minute later, Naomi’s phone buzzed with a message from an unknown number.
PLEASE COME BACK. SHE TOOK MY PILLS.
