4: 4
4
The next morning I got to the office early, the way I always did.
After the morning meeting, Fergus walked Scarlett into the work area.
"Everyone, let me introduce you. Scarlett is going to be our new colleague, taking over Felicity's position. Please look after her."
The sympathetic glances came at me, sideways, like they weren't quite meant to land.
I lowered my eyes. I'd stopped hoping for anything, and still I hadn't expected him to be this cold.
Once, I'd begged him more times than I could count just to get a single internship spot.
To avoid suspicion, Fergus always acted like he didn't know me at the office.
No one knew we were together.
I'd worked myself to the bone to prove I was good enough for him.
And to prove to my parents that I wasn't any less than anyone.
But now I understood. No matter how good I was, they would never see it.
Fergus came over with Scarlett beside him.
"Felicity, get your work organized. You're handing it over to Scarlett today."
I clenched my fists, said nothing, and gave them every file I'd already put in order.
At the door, I glanced back. Fergus was leaning over the screen, pointing things out, guiding Scarlett's hand through it step by step.
It was treatment I'd never once received.
I turned and walked out with nothing left to hold on to.
After that, Fergus drove Scarlett to and from work every day, all attention.
When he saw me, he didn't say a word.
The night before I was to leave, Fergus called me, which he rarely did, and said he was waiting for me at home.
When I got there, everyone was gathered in the living room.
Scarlett's eyes were red, and she was crying softly.
Mom sat beside her, murmuring comfort. Dad kept sighing.
"Felicity, you're finally back. Hurry and help Scarlett."
It turned out Scarlett, so sure of her study-abroad polish and her flawless English, had done the work carelessly. On an outgoing quote, she'd recorded the dollar amounts as if they were another currency.
The company had lost nearly ten million.
"I don't have money. I can't fix that."
Fergus took my hand, his voice earnest.
"You won't have to pay anything. You just have to admit you wrote the proposal wrong."
"You were only an intern anyway, and you've already resigned. Even if the company pursues it, the worst you'd get is a year in prison."
A chill ran through me. I looked at my parents.
"Scarlett just got back from overseas. We can't ruin such a bright future."
"You've been with us all these years. Don't be so selfish. Think of it as making it up to Scarlett, and just go confess."
"And have you thought about what happens to me? If I go to prison, my whole life is over."
Dad's brows drew together.
"It's not the same. Scarlett studied abroad, she's much smarter than you."
"You're going to marry and have kids anyway. Fergus doesn't mind your record, so what does one year in prison matter?"
So in their eyes, my future was worth nothing, my good name could be trampled at will, my life could be sacrificed whenever it was convenient.
I pulled my hand out of Fergus's grip, my mind made up.
"No. I didn't do it, and I won't admit to it."
Scarlett burst into tears.
"Mom, Dad, don't put Felicity in a hard spot. If it comes to it, I'll just go to prison myself."
"It's my bad luck. I only wish I could stay by your side and take care of you in your old age…"
Mom held her tight, aching for her, then turned and glared at me.
"Felicity Sullivan, are you determined to drive this whole family to death? If you won't take the blame, I'll die right here in front of you."
Fergus set his jaw, as if he'd made up his mind.
"Felicity, I'm begging you. Help Scarlett, and I'll agree to anything you want."
I watched Mom sway at the edge of the balcony, on the verge of tipping over.
The whole thing struck me as absurd, almost laughable.
If I didn't agree, there was no telling what other dirty trick they'd pull.
"Fine. I'll go first thing in the morning."
They finally let out a breath.
The four of them chatted and laughed, already deciding where to go for the weekend.
Early the next morning, I shouldered my backpack and got ready to leave.
Mom was in the kitchen making Scarlett a loving breakfast.
She saw me and didn't lift her head.
"Confess like a good girl. In a year we'll come pick you up from prison."
The car sent to get me was waiting downstairs.
Fergus passed me on his way in.
"Go to the office and confess first. I'll come once I've calmed Scarlett down."
"Felicity, I owe you for this. When you get out, we'll get married."
I watched his hurried back disappear, and there was no more pain in me.
He wanted to trade my good name, my life, and my freedom for a marriage handed to me like charity.
I had no use for it. I didn't want it.
I left the group chats, pulled the SIM card out of my phone, and dropped it into the trash can beside me.
Then I bent down and got into the car.
From here on, the world was wide open, and there was no day set for my return.
