Chapter 12
“Didn’t Grandma ask me to have dinner at the Newtons‘ tomorrow? Do you think someone’s trying to keep me from going?“>
She asked cautiously, careful not to mention that she’d gone out of her way to visit Patricia at the hospital earlier.
After all, she’d chosen Riverdale’s top rehab center–not just any hospital. It wasn’t hard to guess that running into a certain someone there hadn’t been an accident.
“Don’t overthink it,” Oliver replied, his tone flat and only half–interested. He didn’t pick up on her hint about Patricia at all.”
“Good thing my brother’s still overseas. If he knew I’d been in a car accident, he’d totally freak out,” Nina said, her voice all soft and
sweet.“]
The Miller family was practically a household name in Riverdale. Joseph Miller, the eldest son, had been Oliver’s best friend since they were kids. Nina had been into Oliver for as long as she could remember, and once she found out he’d married a woman with a disability–and that their marriage wasn’t exactly real–she saw her chance and took it.
It just so happened Joseph found out, too, and before long, Nina was practically glued to Oliver’s side.
Whenever Patricia wasn’t around, Nina would come and go as she pleased, completely unbothered. Most of Oliver’s friends–and even the Miller family–just accepted it.
The Newtons‘ family dinner happened on the fifteenth of every month. Grandma had made it a rule years ago, and it almost never got canceled. Patricia didn’t know about the past, but in the last few years, this was the first time she’d seen it called off.”
Inside the villa, Patricia was directing the movers as they packed up her things.§
minded her,
A little before four–thirty, Marian came in and reminded her, “It’s almost five. Shouldn’t we get going to the dinner?“}
“The dinner’s canceled. We’re not going,” Patricia said.§
Marian looked surprised. “At a time like this? Don’t tell me he’s actually bringing that woman home now?”§
Patricia hadn’t been thinking about that, but now the idea stuck with her. She went quiet for a second.§
Leaning on her cane, she turned and pointed to the coral sitting on the cabinet. “Wrap that up. I want you to take it to Grandma at the old house yourself. Just say it’s from the Parsons family, and that you are handing it over in person.“}
“Got it,” Marian replied quickly. Bringing a gift was just the cover. She was really there to see what was going on.§
By six–thirty, Jackson drove Marian to the Newtons‘ mansion. She walked in, carefully carrying the box with the coral.
When Kelly heard Marian had arrived, she frowned in annoyance and shot a look at Nina, who was inside charming Grandma. “Why is she here?”
“I’ll check it out,” she said, clearly annoyed that Marian was showing up to mess with their plans.§
Out in the courtyard, Marian explained herself, holding the box protectively as Kelly blocked her way.
“Just give it to me. I’ll take it in for you,” Kelly said, not bothering to hide her irritation.
“Mrs. Parsons insisted I give it to her myself,” Marian replied politely but firmly.”
Kelly’s face soured. “You think I’d just keep it for myself?“”
“Td really rather not trouble you, ma’am,” Marian said, still all politeness.
Kelly looked ready to argue, but with Nina still inside, she decided to let it go. She sent someone to bring Grandma out, making it clear Marian wasn’t getting through the door.”
Grandma came out, leaning on her cane. She opened the box in Marian’s hands, and under the moonlight, the pale pink coral sparkled beautifully.
“So thoughtful–thank you. Please give my thanks to Mrs. Parsons as well,” she said, smiling.N
Marian nodded with a gentle smile.
As she looked up, she noticed the living room’s sheer curtains being pulled aside. Behind the glass, a familiar face appeared…
Chapter 13
