Chapter 33
Humbert snapped, “If so, why would you have called me? Don’t you know the driver was about to step out and follow you into the neighborhood? You, your mother–in–law, and your daughter are all vulnerable.
“Bluemist Road is so remote. It’s not safe for you to be out there at night. Did you think about your safety?” he looked at Winifred sternly, his face cold as he added, “What if I hadn’t come tonight?”
Winifred paused at his words. Then she answered slowly, “Tonight was just an accident. I’ll be careful from now on.”
“Your husband’s a tech professional in Silvaria, Aurielia, making hundreds of thousands of dollars a year, and yet you have to work late shifts for money. He can’t even come home when his mother or daughter gets sick,” Humbert continued.
He studied her. She had a pale, calm face, but he couldn’t shake the memory of an hour ago when she’d run straight into his arms after jumping from the car, with panic and helplessness in her
eyes.
Ruby was in the hospital, and Rosalind needed regular checkups, yet Winifred handled it all alone. On duty, Humbert overheard the nurses talking about Ruby in bed 17, saying she had a brilliant son as a tech engineer in Silvaria earning 300 thousand a year.
He took a step forward and lowered his head. “Winifred, are you his wife or just a free babysitter?”
Over the phone, Gavin had told Humbert the driver was a repeat offender who had previously served time for sexual assault.
The late–night breeze swept across Winifred’s face. She gazed at the person standing so close, his figure looming over her, almost swallowing her whole.
Winifred pinched her palms tightly. “Mr. Pierce, this is my private life. I have my own job and I take it seriously. Working late tonight and taking a cab was an accident. I was too scared and impulsive. I shouldn’t have bothered you tonight.”
She added, “And thank you so much for your help.”
She spoke politely, each word cold and distant. Humbert lowered his hand; the cigarette had burned down to nothing at his fingertips. He crushed it out and said, “Winifred, you’re already bothering me.”
Winifred looked up at him. His eyes were pools of shadow, unreadable. Her heart racing, she stepped back and took a deep breath. “I won’t do that again.”
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Chapter 33
*****
:
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1 52 45 vouchers
When Winifred got home and opened the door, Rosalind was already asleep in her room. Winifred slipped into the bathroom and stopped by the sink.
Rosalind’s toothbrush and cup were lined up exactly where they belonged, and right next to them sat Winifred’s–paste squeezed on the brush, a cup of water ready to go. Winifred’s face melted into a soft smile.
Winifred came and sat on Rosalind’s bed, lightly touching Rosalind’s cheek. She remembered how Humbert had said she was bothering him.
Winifred realized she’d truly disturbed him with that incident. She was Winifred, just the mother of one of his patients.
It wasn’t what she had really wanted–from a distance to look at him now and then and pretend they were strangers as if nothing had happened.
In the quiet of the night, Winifred suddenly felt the urge to leave Sonisburg and start fresh in a new city with Rosalind.
She thought to herself, ‘Once I get this year’s bonus, I’ll have enough money for Rosalind’s surgery, plus my savings. After the operation, I’ll move to a new city with Rose for a clean
start.
‘In this city, every time I saw Humbert, the old wound in my heart itched again–like getting drenched in rain all night, festering and swollen.‘
*****
The next morning, James finally called Winifred to ask about the night before. “Sorry, Winifred,” he said. “I was stuck at the factory last night–too noisy to hear my phone. I was busy with orders for a client and worked late into the night.”
Winifred said nothing. She thought, ‘That’s just how the world is. You can’t expect someone you barely know to sympathize with your pain from last night.‘ She chuckled, mentioned something about fabrics, and hung up.
“Mom, my teacher said we’re organizing an outdoor trip next week. Will you come?” Rosalind asked after breakfast when Winifred got ready to take her to school.
Rosalind handed Winifred a consent form. The weather on Saturday was unusually sunny, and the school had planned an outdoor excursion to the Sonisburg Cultural Center and the agricultural exhibit hall, with tickets covered.
Winifred’s first instinct was to skip it. She worried Rosalind might get too tired. But inwardly,
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Chapter 33
she hoped Rosalind could fit in with her classmates. Instead of deciding for Rosalind, Winifred bent down, touched Rosalind’s hair, and asked, “Do you want to go?”
“Yes. I’ve already made plans with Leonard, and his parents will come with him too,” Rosalind replied.
Then she took Winifred’s hand, her eyes shining with hope. “Mom, will you come too? The teacher said we can bring parents along.”
Winifred caught her daughter’s happy smile and nodded softly. “Yes.”
After dropping Rosalind at school, Winifred returned to Lumina Studio. She had just sat down for a sip of water when her phone buzzed. Leonard: [Winifred, will you be coming with Rosalind this Saturday?]
Winifred: [Yes. Are you coming with your parents this Saturday too?]
Leonard: [Yeah, my dad’s coming with me, but my mom’s buried in work.]
Winifred: [Good boy.]
Leonard: [I love you!]
*****
On Friday evening at the Pierce residence, Leonard sat on the toilet, crying at the top of his lungs. Humbert had just gotten home and heard the racket. “What happened?” he asked.
Margaret knocked on the bathroom door. “Leonard, now don’t cry. I’ll call your mother right away.”
Joseph sat on the couch, rubbing his temples. “Are Jessica and Herman really so tied up? It’s just one Saturday, taking Leonard to a school event. Don’t they have time for that?”
The call finally went through. Joseph gave a cold snort, his voice sharp. On the other end, Jessica hunched like a scared bird for minutes before saying, “Dad, Herman flew to Itara and hasn’t come back. Tomorrow, I’m meeting a client from Juvellia…
“Maybe I could have Leah take Leonard to the class event instead?” Leah Turner was Jessica’s
senior assistant.
Joseph’s expression stayed stern. “Who’s busier than you? The Pierce Group comes to a standstill without you.”
Margaret shot him a glare. Then she knocked on the door. “Leonard, I had the kitchen whip up fried chicken legs and fire noodles just for you.”
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Chapter 33
Joseph said, “It’s just a botanical garden, right? You’ve been there before. When I have a moment, I’ll take you to the amusement park.
“No way! I promised Winifred. It’s our first time meeting up, and I can’t ditch her,” Leonard replied. His voice caught, thick with tears.
Leonard cried so hard that his voice turned hoarse and his words slurred. Margaret couldn’t make out what he said. “What’s all this about ‘Wini‘? Good boy, stop crying. I’ll take you, okay?”
Humbert moved to head upstairs, but halted. He took off his Coat, slung it over his arm, and looked toward the bathroom on the first floor.
AD
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
