The smell alone makes me wrinkle my nose. It’s coming from an overflowing diaper pail in the corner, or it could be from the dirty wipes on the floor.
With so much to be done around the house, it will be hard for me to focus on myself, which is not a bad thing. I could use the distraction. Thinking about my own life falling apart is the last thing I want to do.
I haven’t told Lavinia that Alex wants a break from our marriage. I don’t want to dump my troubles on top of what she’s already going through. She’ll only end up feeling guilty about me helping her.
On my way out of the nursery, I spot a newspaper on the pale pink rocking chair.
Jeffrey’s face is on the front page, along with the words that shattered Lavinia’s world.
Jeffrey Holder has confessed...
I grab the paper and fold it up. I’ll get rid of it. I don’t want it lying around to remind her of what her husband did.
She must be torturing herself already, watching the news, and reading everything to do with the rape and murder. I take the newspaper and diaper pail with me out of the room so Jenna no longer has to inhale the stench.
After emptying the pail, I return to the living room.
Lavinia is lying where I left her, staring at the blank TV screen. Her lips are moving as though she’s whispering something.
“I’m so sorry, sweetie,” I say. I wish there was something I could do to erase her pain.
She doesn’t even acknowledge my presence and continues to murmur. I approach the couch and lean down to listen to what she’s trying to tell me.
“Thank you for coming.” She gulps air into her lungs. “She’s safer with you.”
“You don’t have to thank me. I love your little girl. I’ll take care of her until you’re strong enough to do it yourself.” I fix a smile on my face. “Now I need you to come with me, okay? A nice, hot bath will help you relax.”
She nods and I offer to walk her to the bathroom.
It’s a struggle to get her to her feet. By the time I succeed, I’m out of breath.
“What did Alex say about you coming here?” she asks, taking me by surprise.
“He doesn’t mind.” The lie comes easily, and she seems to believe it.
Alex doesn’t even know I’m back in Aston. When I tried to call him and he didn’t respond, I thought of leaving a message to let him know where I am but decided against it. By now, Marcy must have told him I left. He probably doesn’t even care.
“I’m sorry, Viola. I’m so sorry for how Jeffrey treated you.” I have to strain my ears to hear Lavinia’s words. “Your husband was innocent, and he was the guilty one. That’s why he wanted you gone.”
“Let’s not think about that. It’s in the past.”
“You’re a good friend.” Her lips curl into a weak smile.
“So are you,” I say as I finally get her to the bathroom. Thanks to the rose and vanilla bubble bath, the room smells better than the rest of the house.
The next challenge is getting her into the tub, but I manage that as well.
As the bubbles wrap themselves around her body, she sighs.
“Do you feel better?” I sweep her hair from her forehead.
“I’m so tired.” She leans her head back and closes her eyes. “So exhausted.”
“As soon as you finish your bath, you can catch up on sleep. I’ll take care of everything.”
While Lavinia is in the bath, I go to the kitchen and scan the fridge to see what groceries I need to buy. Quite a lot, as it turns out. The fridge is pretty much empty aside from a carton of eggs, wilted salad in a bowl, and spoiled milk.
What has she been eating?
