“It’s not but what is? It’s how the rich get rich and stay that way. I say you jump on her coattail and get a ride out of turning-every-penny-twice-ville and join them. And take me and mom, and maybe even Kayla with you.”
They talked it over for another twenty minutes before Kayla headed out. Quinn followed a half hour, and three biscuits, later.
After they left and Daisy was finally tucked in with her stuffed rabbit, Rose sat at her desk and opened her laptop. The draft from the window was making the back of her neck cold—another thing she couldn’t afford to fix. Her phone buzzed.
It was the text from Lizanne.
I know that wasn’t the way to do it. I’m not a heartless person. I’m a frightened one...
Rose read it three times. The frightened part was the hook. It made Lizanne feel human again, instead of just a suit with a bank account. She looked at Daisy’s drawing on the wall—two stick figures with giant heads, holding hands under a yellow sun.
She picked up the phone. Her fingers were steady.
I want everything in writing. My own lawyer reviews it. And you will never threaten me again,she typed.
The response was instant:Agreed.
Rose didn’t stop.We need to talk about Daisy. She’s five. I am not having her name in the trades or her face on your show. If she is living in that house, she is invisible to the cameras. No family segments. No exceptions.
I wouldn’t ask that of her.She stays off-camera. My security handles the school runs so there’s no paparazzi business. But the network is going to want to know who is helping you with her. They’ll want a character to fill that gap.
My brother, Quinn,Rose typed, her pulse quickening.He’s an actor. He lives for reality TV. This might help him with his career too.
There was a pause.
Then:Alright. How about this?The pool house is yours. You can move in whoever you want. Quinn can be on the payroll as “Family Assistant.” I actually talked with Pat about that earlier. Adds a character to the show. It explains why he’s there and keeps the inner circle tight.But we need to be clear about the optics for us,Lizanne added.For the show and the staff, you’re in the main house. With me. We need to look like a couple that can’t stand to be in separate rooms
Rose stared at the screen. It sounded simpler than it was going to be.
One more thing. At twelve months, we “separate” due to the pressures of our careers. No mess. No lingering obligations. And you pay for the best PR firm in the city to ensure my professional reputation is intact when I walk away. I won’t have “fraud” attached to my name for the rest of my life.
I’ll have the first draft of the agreement to your lawyer by 9:00 AM tomorrow. Email me his details. Anything else?
It’s Daniel Reiss. I’ll send you his details. And no. Nothing else.
Rose set the phone down. Her heart was hammering against her ribs, but her hands didn’t shake. She’d learned a long time ago that you could be terrified and decided at the same time.
In the other room, the nightlight was on. Daisy was safe.
Rose closed the laptop. She had a wedding to plan. Her own, this time. For real.
Chapter 14
Rose
October 20th
The pool cover was off again, which meant Rose had now asked four times to have it put back and been ignored four times. The crew member currently walking past the rack where it sat folded wasn’t going to be the one to change that streak.
She set her coffee down.
“Quinn, can you put the cover on, please?”
“It’s a nice day. I might take a dip later.” He didn’t look up from his phone.
“Daisy can’t swim. The gate latch is broken and that cover has been sitting on that rack for three days.”
He put the phone down and went outside.
