Chapter 4

Michelle Lambert lit up the moment she saw me. "Layla, you're finally home. Your father talks about you all the time."

I acted like nothing was wrong and handed her the bunch of bitter greens I was carrying. "Michelle, remember to put these in a vase."

Just then my father came down the stairs. He looked me over. "You've lost weight. Stay a few more days. Let Michelle fatten you back up."

Something bitter spread through my chest. He didn't say anything, but he understood everything. He knew something was weighing on me, that I was only putting on a brave face.

That evening the two of us sat out in the little courtyard, taking in the moon.

Michelle kept slipping me little snacks, and my father kept asking if I was cold. My nose stung all at once. At the Gilberts', I was always the one looked down on, the one no one noticed.

I didn't dare meet his eyes. It came out in a rush. "Dad, I'm planning to get a divorce."

His hand paused as he lifted his tea, then he took a calm sip. "Have you really made up your mind?"

"Yes."

"Whatever you decide, I'm behind you."

I froze. I'd been sure he would try to talk me out of it. After all, I was the one who'd insisted on marrying Albert in the first place.

Seeing my disbelief, he spoke gravely. "The Gilberts are old money. The Paynes are new money. The two families were never on equal footing to begin with. You're my only daughter. All I want is for you to be happy and get what your heart wants."

His words lifted the weight off me in an instant. "Dad, once I'm divorced, I can stay by your side for good."

He stroked my head, all indulgence. "And I'll get to enjoy having my daughter home again."

I stayed at the villa for a week, planting flowers with Michelle, cooking, doing nothing much and enjoying every minute of it.

After that week, I decided to go home and get Albert to come with me to the county clerk's office to file for the divorce.

But the second I opened the door, the sight inside stopped me cold.

I tore through everything. The jewelry and necklace in the red velvet case, the other accessories, the keys to the sports car, all gone.

I didn't have to guess who'd done it.

Margot had taken my things without so much as asking me.

Right then there was a noise at the entryway. I turned to see Albert walk in carrying Margot on his back, and in her hand were the keys to the Bentley.

Eustace's assets had all been frozen by the bank. Neither of them had any money. That car had been bought with mine.

The moment Albert saw me, he started laying into me without hearing a single word. "Layla, what are you playing at? Don't you know Margot's allergic to bitter greens?"

"It's all because of you. Margot broke out in a rash all over, had to go to the hospital in the middle of the night for an IV before it settled. I think you did it on purpose."

I hadn't known Margot was allergic to bitter greens, and I certainly hadn't meant anything by it. I looked at this man in front of me, blaming me for everything, and he felt like a complete stranger.

I had no interest in wasting words on him. I said it plainly. "Give me my things back. Taking what isn't yours without asking is stealing."

Margot cowered behind him, tears trembling on her lashes. "Everything you own is partly Albert's too. Those were gifts from him."

She said it wearing an outright taunt on her face.

Albert stared at me, his eyes dark. "They're just some accessories. Layla, when did you turn so petty?"

"The things have already been given to Margot. There's no sense in demanding them back. You bought the bitter greens and set off Margot's allergy. I haven't even settled that score with you. Where do you get the nerve to ask for jewelry?"

They really did put the ugliest side of human nature on full display. I pulled a divorce agreement out of my bag and slapped it down on the table.

"Sign it."