Chapter 10 - THE DAY BRENT CAME BACK
Brent appeared outside the boutique on a rainy Thursday afternoon.
I had just delivered my first order.
Forty outfits.
Each folded carefully.
Each carrying a Little Lantern label.
I stepped onto the sidewalk.
And there he was.
Leaning against a dark SUV.
Wearing an expensive jacket.
Looking nothing like the exhausted construction worker I'd once believed he was.
“Savannah.”
I stopped.
My heart began pounding.
“What are you doing here?”
He smiled.
“I wanted to see you.”
“You need to contact my attorney.”
He stepped closer.
“Come on, babe.”
I moved backward.
“Don't call me that.”
His smile faded.
“I heard about your little business.”
I said nothing.
He looked toward the boutique.
“Cute.”
The word sounded like an insult.
He continued.
“Your grandfather's paying for everything, isn't he?”
I stared.
“No.”
“Don't lie to me.”
I felt something familiar rising.
The old urge to explain.
Defend.
Apologize.
Then I stopped.
I didn't owe him an explanation.
“Brent, leave.”
He laughed.
“You really think you can do this without me?”
I looked at him.
“Yes.”
His expression changed.
“You think you're better than me now?”
“No.”
I took a breath.
“I think I'm finally seeing you clearly.”
He stepped closer.
“Eli needs his father.”
I swallowed.
“He needs a father who tells the truth.”
Brent's jaw tightened.
“You're turning him against me.”
“He's three.”
I stared at him.
“He still asks when you're coming home.”
For a moment, something flickered across Brent's face.
Guilt.
Maybe.
Then it vanished.
He lowered his voice.
“Tell your grandfather to stop investigating the house.”
I felt cold.
“Why?”
“Because it's going to hurt people.”
“Who?”
He didn't answer.
I took out my phone.
“I'm calling my attorney.”
Brent looked toward the boutique window.
The owner was watching.
He stepped backward.
“This isn't over.”
I met his eyes.
“For me, it is.”
That evening, I gave Detective Morgan a statement about the encounter.
The boutique's security camera had recorded it.
May you like
For once, I had witnesses.
And for once, I hadn't apologized for protecting myself.
