“Whether you like it or not, we’re still a family,” the man said, his voice stiff with forced authority. I shook my head, my jaw tight. “Not anymore. ”
He stepped closer, but I held my ground.
“I must be her. First, leave me and my son alone. ”
“Don’t use my son as an excuse to get money,” I snapped. He flinched.
“You tell me to shoot. ”
“That’s enough. ”
“Not Anderson. ”
“Just go back to where you come from and tell him to stop interfering in my life.
”
“No need. ”
I sighed, my patience crumbling. “Okay, I didn’t mean to cause any kind of… if you can reunite Helena Anderson and Steven Anderson with the Anderson family, he’ll eliminate all of your debts. ”
“No.
” I stared at him, my voice cold. “How did you two meet? What’s your love story? ”
“Long story short, this is their way of dragging me into family politics and guilt-tripping me for past events, and I can’t do it alone, okay?
Not again. ”
He crossed his arms, unconvinced. “Just be professional and remember this is about avoiding their drama. We all do our part, Jill, even in small businesses.
So, did you also stumble into a huge fortune? ”
“Uh, no. I’m more of a corporate type. ”
“Yes, they’re exploring other strategies.
He’s not in tech. ”
“I need to use the restroom. ”
“What if I don’t? ”
“That’s all.
”
“Easton, is there anything else needed for the service? ”
“Both my clients have been complete nightmares. ”
The music in the café hummed softly, a hollow backdrop to my crumbling day. “All right, I have to go.
”
“Maybe you’ll get that five-star rating after all. There is still time to turn this around before she leaves a review. ”
“Nothing else. ” I muttered under my breath, “No good news at all.
”
“Are there any improvements or feedback you would suggest? ”
“No, everything’s good. ”
“May I come in? ”
The door creaked open, and there he was again—my father, standing in my home like he owned it.
“You return to the family and not confine him to this small space. Do you understand love? If you did, you wouldn’t have abandoned my pregnant mother so that you could chase after your so-called family business. ”
“She died because of you.
An illness that was a direct result of your consequences. An illness that was because of years of hardship. I will never forgive you for that. ” I pointed at the door.
“And get out of my home. ”
His eyes narrowed, a bitter smirk forming. “You know, if you despise me so much, why do you always wear that Anderson family necklace? ”
I touched the pendant at my throat, my fingers trembling.
Later, in a quiet office, a man’s voice spoke into a phone. “I want her complete background. She was raised by a single mother who unfortunately passed away when she was 17 years old. His identity is still a mystery.
Anderson, may I ask, why are you so interested in Helena Winslet’s background? ”
“Well, my research suggested no link between her and the Anderson family. You know, I’m just reading too much into it. ”
“No, I don’t think it’s a big deal.
I’m so sorry. ”
“Well, I could ask you the same thing. ”
“No, thanks. No, really, it’s on the house.
”
“Don’t tell me you actually work for Empire. ”
The music shifted, a low drumbeat. “Okay, before I go, you’re not actually going to be my interviewer, are you? ”
“So, you better be nice to your ex-boyfriend, then.
Just use the voucher in a couple of days, okay? ”
“Um, I thought there were going to be two interviewers. It’s usually just me. ”
“Says here in your file you’re a single mother.
”
“If I upset you, I apologize. ”
“If I upset you, I apologize. ”
“Stay out of our lives. ”
“You have no right to keep him from me.
”
“Good luck on your first day, Sally. If you need anything, feel free to ask. ”
“So, about the other day, I—” The coffee cup slipped from my hand, crashing to the floor. “Whoops.
”
“No, it’s fine. ”
“So sorry to dump this on you on your first day, but this is a top priority project for Mr. —”
“Um, not really. ”
“All of this by today?
Any issues with that? ”
“No. It just needs adjustments based on the client’s latest feedback. And then I’ll help you with the rest.
Or should I say Mr. —”
“To help lost employees after hours. ‘Cause you’re the first one to suggest that. ”
“So, was all that extra work just a way to settle personal scores, then?
”
“And I do genuinely believe you could contribute to it significantly. ”
“I was about to say the same, actually. Should I go like that? ”
“No, it—actually, I—it’s an order.
It’s not an invite. ”
His voice dropped, cold and deliberate. “Helena Winslet, or should I say Helena Anderson? ”
The room fell silent.
My heart pounded against my ribs. “This is enough for now. Coles, I have to tell you, it’s an extreme risk to keep Helena Anderson at this company. She can’t stay here any longer.
Do you understand that? ”
“All right, do you know how happy Steven would be to see me? ”
“We’ll think about that, all right? ”
“I’ve never seen you before.
I want to go back inside. ”
“I just feel like I have to be someone else. ”
“I can be both. ”
“Yeah, I thought it was better than leaving you to fend off unsavory characters.
”
“Why have you been alone all these years? ”
“It’s a long story. I’d rather not go into it. ”
“That’s exactly why I’m worried.
Is everything all right? ”
“Can I stay a bit longer, please? ”
“He really wants to stay, Helena. ”
“But just for today, all right?
”
“All right. ”
“This one’s no good, man. ”
“Yeah, let’s do it. Maybe both.
”
“All right, come on. All right, give it a try. Not this time. All right, I need to make some money first, and then afterwards we can get that harmonica together.
”
“Did you check your backpack? ”
“It’s not there. ”
“There’s no doubt about that now. ”
“I just have to call Steven before we head out.
”
The phone rang, then a robotic voice answered: “Please leave a message after the beep. ”
“No, I’m not at the—no, he’s safe at home. ”
“Maybe you should focus on your son who’s in the emergency room because of him. If he doesn’t wake up soon, he may not fully recover.
He’s only 11. ”
“I’m not going to be long. ”
“However, we may require your cooperation in the future. ”
“I didn’t do it.
I’ve never seen him that way in my entire life. ”
“After I recognized it, you haven’t worn it since. You never trusted me, did you? ”
“Dillon, it’s unfortunate we meet again under these circumstances.
Anderson believes that your negligence caused his grandson’s car—no, no, no, no, no. ”
“The kid just walked into the road, okay? ”
“No, no, no, no, no. Okay, I promise I can still get Helena and Steven back to the Anderson family, okay?
Please don’t do this. Please don’t do it. ”
“Let’s see what’s inside, shall we? ”
A small box was placed on the table.
Inside, a harmonica gleamed. “Do you play the harmonica? ”
“Not yet, no. ”
“You are not gifted.
”
“Maybe you should be more patient with your new student. ”
