Her face went white instantly.
"Sir, I—"
"Answer me."
"I-I just..." Her voice shook. "She asked about your schedule, I-I thought as godmother, she had the right to know—"
"You thought?" I stared at her. "You've worked here three years. I assumed you understood professional boundaries."
"Sir, I—"
"Casually leaking your employer's privacy," I interrupted, voice cold. "You think that's minor?"
"Sir, I was wrong," tears fell. "I truly know I was wrong, please give me another chance—"
"You can go."
She froze.
"What?"
"Pack your things. Leave within the hour."
"Sir!"
"And," I continued, "I'll have Carmen notify all relevant domestic agencies that you were fired for leaking employer information. I imagine you'll have difficulty finding similar work."
Her face went from white to ashen, cold sweat beading on her forehead.
"Sir, please..."
"Out."
Her face turned from white to gray. She opened her mouth to say more, but meeting my eyes, the words caught in her throat. Sweat started on her forehead, trickling down her temples. Then she lowered her head, turned, and left. Her steps were quick, like fleeing.
The living room quieted again.
I stood by the window, watching Bianca's taillights disappear at the end of the street.
I rubbed my temples.
She'd built her network in this family for five years—had her connections, her methods, what she wanted.
But I didn't care.
I'd tolerated her these five years only because of guilt—guilt toward her, guilt toward that unborn child, guilt toward Olivia. I thought tolerating her compensated for the past, thought letting her stay at the manor could ease the mistakes I'd made. But guilt isn't love, compensation isn't companionship. She didn't understand the difference between the two, or maybe she did but didn't care.
Now Olivia was back.
I wouldn't let her suffer any grievance again.
Chapter Twenty
Olivia
"Vivi, why can't you live at my house?"
The air in the dessert shop smelled like caramel and butter. Juliet clutched a strawberry milkshake, churning the straw at the bottom until it made gurgling sounds, then looked up at me.
