Joel had tended to my burns, furious, ready to confront his mother.
But I didn't want to be the reason their relationship soured. So I started going to the mansion disguised as a servant to prepare her meals.
Somewhere along the way, Joel got used to me playing the maid.
He also got used to dangling visits with my son as a reward whenever he needed to make something up to me.
I clutched the uniform, my son's blurry face flickering through my mind.
Before I leave, let me memorize every detail of him.
Joel drove me to the mansion himself.
We'd barely reached the parking garage when a honeyed voice called out.
I watched Joel's spine go rigid. Then he turned toward Kay Pruitt.
She stood there in a flowing dress, a gift box dangling from her fingers.
"Boss, this is the toy John Gilbertny wanted last time. I'll drop it off for him."
Her eyes swept over me, lingering, before she let out a little laugh. Her gaze traced the servant's uniform I was wearing.
"Mrs. Gilbert, why are you dressed like that to visit the mansion? I almost thought you were some new housekeeper Joel hired."
In the past, seeing Kay hovering around Joel would have sent me into a spiral—crying, clinging, desperate for reassurance.