Sarah's POV
The phone in my hand stopped buzzing. The name 'Sweet Valerie' disappeared, leaving only the notification of two missed calls.
My heart was beating so hard I thought Ethan and Lily could hear it. Valerie, that was the name of the customer from Lumière House. The woman with the perfect hair and the expensive dresses. The woman who was using my husband's black card.
"She thinks I'm dead," I whispered to myself. "And Sean told her that."
"Mom? Why are you holding Dad's phone like that?" Ethan asked. He walked closer, looking worried. "Is he coming back?"
I quickly put the phone face down on the nightstand, forcing my hands to stop shaking.
"No, Ethan. He just forgot it. He must be in a big hurry for his trip."
"He always forgets things," Lily said, pulling on my night clothes. "Can we make the pancakes now? I'm really, really hungry."
"Yes, baby. Come on, let's go make some delicious pancakes," I said, my voice low.
I walked into the kitchen with Ethan and Lily. The moment they stepped in, they started playing. Ethan tapped a spoon on the counter while Lily chased him around the small table, their little laughs filled the kitchen.
I watched them for a moment. Something inside me felt off, like I was standing there, but my mind was somewhere else.
"Hey, be careful," I said.
"Okay, Mom!" they said together.
Then they went right back to playing, giggling again.
I turned to the counter and grabbed a bowl, my hands felt stiff as I poured flour into it. A small cloud of white dust rose into the air.
I opened the sugar jar and scraped out the last spoon.
"Mmm... the last one," I muttered.
"What's the last one?" Ethan asked, climbing onto a chair to watch me.
"Sugar," I said, stirring the batter. "We need to buy more as soon as possible."
"Oh," he said, losing interest and jumping back down.
I turned on the stove and placed the pan on it. When it got hot, I poured the batter in. Soon, small bubbles started forming on the pancake.
I stared at them.
If I had answered that phone call... everything would be different.
Sean would know that I know everything. He would know I was watching him.
My stomach tightened. If Sean found out I knew his secret, he would hurt me. I was sure of it.
What if he took the kids away from me? Or worse.
No... I had to be careful. I had to stay quiet and think about my next move.
But how could I fight him?
Who could help me?
My thoughts raced with all the terrible possibilities.
"Mom!" Ethan's voice cut through my thoughts.
"Something is burning!"
I blinked and looked at the pan.
"Oh shit!"
Smoke curled up from the pancake, the edge had already turned black.
I quickly flipped it over.
Lily looked up at me with wide eyes.
"Is it burned?" she asked.
"A little bit," I said.
Ethan wrinkled his nose. "It smells funny."
I forced a small smile. "It will still taste good."
"Here you go," I said, putting the small pancakes on their plates.
"Aren't you eating, Mom?" Ethan asked. He looked at my empty plate.
"I'm not hungry, honey. I had a big snack early this morning with your dad," I said with a sheepish smile.
It was the same lie I told almost every day.
While Ethan and Lily ate at the dining table, I went into my room and sat on the edge of the bed. Sean's phone was still faced down on the nightstand, where I'd kept it minutes ago. I picked it up.
It buzzed instantly, as if it had been waiting for me to touch it. A new message from Valerie appeared on the lock screen, making the thump of my heart quicken. I leaned closer to read it.
{I'm at the airport lounge. The private jet is ready. Don't keep me waiting, Sean! I want to be on the beach by sunset.}
Private jet. Beach. Sunset. My heart sank.
I looked around the room. The wallpaper was peeling, the drawers were almost empty, only a few old clothes were inside. The bed was thin and lumpy, one pillow sagged in the corner.
Nothing in this room felt like home. Everything was old, small, and barely enough-but the man I was stuck with in this room was flying off on a private jet.
"He's giving her everything... and leaving us with nothing," I whispered. He was taking from us, giving it all to her.
I put the phone down carefully, my hands shaking.
"Enjoy it while it lasts, son of a bitch," I murmured, tears nearly filling my eyes.
Suddenly, I heard a car horn outside. It wasn't a normal car, It was loud and deep.
My pulse jumped. At first, I thought it was him, coming back for his phone.
But then I knew he wouldn't come back in a car-not one like the horn I just heard. So I wouldn't find out the truth... that he was a thief, a greedy husband, a man I could no longer trust.
I walked to the window and moved the curtain just a little bit. A sleek black car was parked at the curb. A man in a suit got out. It was the same huge guy I had seen with Mr. Adrian at the shop yesterday, the guy that shoved me away like a vegetable.
My breath caught. Why was he here?
Then, a knock came on the door. Not a loud bang like Ms. Harlows', but a polite, firm knock.
I moved quickly.
"Ethan, stay with your sister in the bedroom," I said. My voice was sharp.
"Who is it?" Ethan asked me, looking worried.
"Just a friend from work. Go. Now."
I waited until their bedroom door closed. Then, I walked to the front door, checked the lock, and opened the door just a crack. The huge man stood there, eyes calm but unreadable.
"I'm Roody... Mrs. Miller?" he asked.
"I know you," I whispered. "Why are you here?"
"Mr. Adrian Vale sent me," he said, holding out a small envelope.
"He saw what happened at your work. He knows you were suspended. He wanted me to tell you... no one should be treated that way."
"No... no... it's... it's fine. Besides, I was already suspended before I ran into him," I muttered, slowly taking the envelope from him. It felt heavy in my hands as I stared at it.
"Why does he care? He doesn't even know me."
Roody glanced down the hallway, then back at me.
"Mr. Adrian Vale is a good person. He doesn't need to know you before looking out for you."
"I see... that's so nice of him."
Roody's gaze softened slightly.
"Yeah."
I tightened my grip on the envelope. "And you? Do you care for anything? Even if it's water"
"No," he said, cutting me off without a hint of hesitation.
I studied him, my chest heavy. "Thank you," I said finally. "Send my regards to Mr. Adrian."
Roody gave a small nod. "Goodbye, Sarah," he said. He turned and walked away before I could ask another question.
I closed the door and locked it. I leaned my head against the wood.
Adrian Vale wasn't just a handsome customer. He was a good man... but the envelope in my hand made my heart race. What was inside?
I stared at the envelope, my hands trembling. Slowly, I sank onto the couch and carefully tore it open...
