Chapter 7 - THE WOMAN WHO WALKED INTO THE WRONG ROOM
Victoria Sterling arrived at the Gallagher estate on a rainy Thursday afternoon.
She wore a cream-colored coat and carried a designer handbag.
Her expression was composed.
Until she saw me.
"Who are you?"
I stood beside Desmond's wheelchair.
"Claire Bennett. His nurse."
Victoria looked me up and down.
"How charming."
Desmond's expression remained cold.
"What do you want?"
Victoria smiled.
"To talk."
She glanced at me.
"Privately."
Desmond looked at me.
"Claire, would you mind giving us a few minutes?"
I nodded.
"Of course."
I left the room.
But before I reached the hallway, Victoria spoke.
"She's pretty."
Desmond said nothing.
Victoria continued.
"Is that why you keep her around?"
I stopped.
Desmond's voice was quiet.
"Don't."
Victoria laughed.
"Honestly, Desmond. A nurse? That's embarrassing."
I closed my eyes.
Then I heard his reply.
"What's embarrassing is that you waited six months to visit the man you promised to marry."
Silence.
Victoria's voice sharpened.
"You have no idea what I've sacrificed."
Desmond laughed bitterly.
"Then enlighten me."
She lowered her voice.
"Your condition has complicated everything."
"What condition?"
"You know what I mean."
Desmond's voice hardened.
"Say it."
Silence.
Then Victoria snapped:
"You're not the man you were!"
I heard the scrape of a chair.
Desmond answered quietly.
"You're right."
A pause.
"I'm not."
Then he continued.
"Because the man I was would have married you without asking a single question."
Victoria said nothing.
Desmond's voice became colder.
"But the man I am now wants answers."
I heard her gasp.
"About the bomb."
Silence.
"About the money."
Another silence.
"And about why you paid for equipment delivered to my room."
Victoria's voice trembled.
"Desmond, I can explain."
May you like
He replied:
"Then start talking."
