Jenna’s not coming back. Neither is Buddy. She’s safe, though, at least. I know she’s safe. I made sure of it.
The phone I have mirrored to hers is silent. The barrage of text messages has stopped.
Then the phone lights up.
Unknown Number:You think you’re going to throw my offer back in my face like that?
I grab it.
It’s the thread from Rex. “This cockroach. Where is he?”
I click my computer on, and the social media feeds related to Rex pop up. There’s no need for a fancy surveillance system when everyone has a phone and is posting nonstop.
I find a live stream on one account. Rex is red-faced and slurring, trying to get his side of the story out to the public.
I frown at the phone. The text messages keep coming.
Unknown Number:Answer me.
Unknown Number:All I did was compliment your dress.
Unknown Number:You don’t understand who I’m married to. She’s bitter and poisonous. You are my antidote.
Unknown Number:I was going to name my baby after you. That means something.
Shit.Shit.I was wrong. I was so fucking wrong. Fuck.
The photos on the wall tear off little pieces of the wallpaper when I yank them down. I tack up the printout of the real suspect.
I need to get to Jenna.
46
JENNA
“I’m not even going to wait for HR.” Smugness oozes from Bethany as she stands like a goddess on the stairs, looking down at me.
“You are fired, Jenna. Fired immediately. You can mail your laptop to the office or give it to Hannah.” She points at my friend. “But I don’t want to see you or that disgusting little dog at the office ever again. Oh, and if you don’t return the laptop, we will sue you for the costs. I’ve already notified IT that you are to be locked out of the system.”
“In all my time as the founder and CEO of this company, I have never seen such a horrible display of bad judgment from one of my employees.”
“I concur wholeheartedly.” The HopeWorks chairwoman is shrill. “This disaster is all her fault.”
“No, it’s not. It was McCarthy’s,” I say inprotest.
“Who you’re sleeping with,” Bethany adds pointedly.
“I bet you she’s behind this whole thing. She’s always been attention-seeking,” my dad says, butting in. “Ever since she was a little girl.”
“God, fuck you,” I choke out. “You can’t be serious? You don’t even know me. You never paid child support. You didn’t even come to my graduation.”
“Nonsense,” Devin scoffs. “Don’t believe a word she says. I had her over for wine and cheese just the other day.”
“No cheese. There was no cheese!” I screech, knowing I’m creating my own PR disaster. “There should have been cheese, but there wasno cheese.”
People are backing away from the crazy girl.
“And you!” I scream at Nathan. “You horrible, abusive, conniving little worm.”
