Page 19 of Of Vows and Betrayal

“Of course, take your time,” she says, stepping back to give me space. “I’ll be at Purl and Curl next door.”

I wander through the shop, examining the old ledger book lying open on the counter. The entries are written in a neat, flowing script detailing sales and purchases, with little notes about the flowers and their care. It’s clear this shop was more than just a business; it was a passion.

It couldn’t have been that important if she’s in the life she is now.

Out of the shop after locking it behind me, I sit in the car and call Derek.

“Jenna is out of Ophelia’s life,” he says as soon as he picks up.

I grit my teeth. “That’s fine. I don’t need you to play this part anymore. I’ve got a bonding topic. Dead mothers.”

“Jav…” He sighs. “Your mother is not dead.”

I shrug, even if he can’t see me.

“She’s a nice girl caught up in a toxic environment. You’re just too lost in yourself to see it.”

“Father Hernandez? Is that you?” I mock.

“Jav—”

“Tell me something, D. When you are in a hard situation, you get out. You don’t wallow in it.”

“Sometimes you don’t, sometimes you stay… I did.”

I purse my lips, the irritation reaching its peak. “You were seven, she’s twenty-one. If she were opposed to who her father is and what he represents, she should leave. But no, the luxury and the money make it all okay.”

“I—”

“I have to go,” I tell him as I see the woman from the bakery, Julia, if I remember correctly, approaching my car with a fierce look on her face. I have to give her that, despite thinking I’m a goddamn mafioso, she still glares.

She taps at my window, and I let it down.

“Can I help you?” she asks, her glare still firmly in place.

“You’re the one coming to me.”

“And you’re the one here without Phee.”

People are so defensive of her, but I can’t blame them; she’s quite good at the charming game. If I didn’t know who she was, I, too, might have been wrapped around her little finger.

“I didn’t know it was a crime.”

She keeps looking at me silently. She doesn’t trust me; she’s smart.

“Ophelia enjoys this area, and she’s coming here a lot. I just wanted to scout the place to make sure I can protect her effectively.”

Her frown deepens. “You’re playing into this narrative as well?”

“What narr?—”

“Whereis Jeremy?”

“I don’t know. Apparently, he quit.”

She shakes her head with a sigh. “No, he wouldn’t have, not after—” She shakes her head again as I straighten in my seat. “Ophelia thinks so, but she’s much harder to leave behind than she thinks.”

I have a million questions now, and I realize the girl has far more secrets than I thought. Yes, I was right—she’s not as innocent as she appears.

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