"Look, I know Clement went a bit too far, and Mildred was out of line too.
"But Clement is the backbone of this company. Every major project has his name on it.
"You have to think about the bigger picture here, don't you?"
I couldn't speak.
The executive smiled at me. "How about this: I'll put a formal warning on both Clement's and Mildred's records. And for you, I can arrange a settlement. A generous one.
"What happened to your daughter, I'm truly sorry. But you and Clement can always have another child. You're still married, after all.
"Clement's career is only going up. As Mrs. Delgado, you'll want for nothing."
I was so furious I laughed. "Fine, protect him. But why are you protecting Mildred too?"
The executive paused.
"You didn't know? She was personally recommended by him. He vouched for her."
I nearly dropped my cup.
I had submitted my resume to this company three times.
Each time, it vanished without a trace. No explanation.
I'd begged Clement once. Just asked him to put in a word with management, get me an interview.
Not a guaranteed position. Just an interview.
I knew his influence. He wouldn't have even needed to go through the higher-ups to make it happen.
But he told me he couldn't. It would look like favoritism.
He said not to put him in that position.
So for me, it was "favoritism."
For Mildred, it was a personal endorsement straight through the door.
My knuckles went white around the cup. I stared at him.
"And if I don't accept?"
The executive gave a thin smile. "I'd advise you, Mrs. Fox, not to go to war with this company."
I hadn't been out of the building long.
The internet exploded with stories about me.
DERANGED WIFE EXPLOITS DAUGHTER'S DEATH TO EXTORT HUSBAND
TECH RISING STAR CLEMENT DELGADO'S TROUBLED HOME LIFE
WIFE SUSPECTS HUSBAND OF AFFAIR WITH FEMALE COLLEAGUE — DID SHE USE HER DAUGHTER'S DEATH AS A WEAPON OF REVENGE?
Just like that, the tide of public sympathy turned. Every person who had pitied me was now aiming their guns at me instead.
The comment sections overflowed with praise for Clement and Mildred.
"I've had the privilege of working with Mr. Delgado. Genuinely great guy, impeccable work ethic, and always respectful toward women."
"I don't know what there is to complain about being Mrs. Delgado."
"Bet Mary Fox is the one who's been cheating."
"I've met Ms. Sullivan in person once. She's an absolute sweetheart, always professional with male colleagues. Of course someone that pretty is going to attract jealous haters."
The trending numbers were too high to be organic.
I knew Clement's hand was behind it.
I went back to the home I hadn't set foot in for three years.
My fingers traced the photograph on Camille's urn, a bitter smile pulling at my lips.
"I'm sorry, baby. Mommy didn't protect you."
I set the divorce papers on the table.
I was reaching for Camille's urn to take her with me when the door was kicked open.
Clement strode in carrying Mildred, whose forehead was wrapped in gauze.
"Where's Camille?"
I wiped the tears from the corners of my eyes. "What do you want?"
"What do I want?"
Clement let out a cold laugh. "Mildred was attacked. You put Camille up to it, didn't you?"
"Clement!"
My fists clenched. "What are you talking about?"
Mildred shrank against Clement's chest.
"Mary, why bother denying it? When that child swung a hammer at my head, I saw her face clear as day. It was her.
"She even said she was getting revenge for you.
"If Clement hadn't gotten there in time, I was completely caught off guard. That child might have actually killed me."
I clenched my teeth so hard my jaw ached.
Clement looked at me, his gaze ice-cold.
"I knew it. Camille's been with a mother like you and now she's learned to lie.
"If I'd known it would come to this, I would have taken her with me three years ago."
