Chapter 3 - THE WOMAN WHO REFUSED TO BE OWNED
Sadi had been working at the Costa mansion for three years.
Before that, she'd lived in Queens with her mother.
Her mother, Leila Rahman, had worked as an accountant for a shipping company.
She died when Sadi was twenty-one.
A car accident.
That's what the police report said.
Sadi had never questioned it.
Until now.
Roman placed the note on the counter.
“Does this handwriting mean anything to you?”
Sadi stared.
Then shook her head.
“No.”
Roman watched her carefully.
“You're sure?”
“Yes.”
He nodded.
Then reached for his phone.
Sadi stepped forward.
“Wait.”
He looked at her.
“What?”
“Please don't punish Toby.”
Roman's expression hardened.
“He brought a message into my house.”
“He might not have known.”
Roman stared.
Sadi continued.
“And even if he did, you don't get to decide what happens to him just because he gave me flowers.”
Silence.
Roman looked at her.
For a moment, she thought he would explode.
Instead, he slowly lowered his phone.
“You're not afraid of me.”
Sadi swallowed.
“I am.”
He looked surprised.
She continued.
“But I'm more afraid of becoming someone who stays silent when something is wrong.”
Roman stared.
Then nodded once.
“Fair enough.”
May you like
He looked toward the flowers.
“Then let's find out what Toby knows.”
