Chapter 6
“Mom, please don’t spoil him. You’re only making things worse for Laney.”
Eddy strode in from the hallway–and the moment Blanche saw father and son side by side, her stomach turned. She wheeled away, bile rising in her throat.
But Eddy wouldn’t be put off. He stepped closer, reaching out to feel Blanche’s forehead. She tried to avoid him, but it was too late.
When Eddy felt that her skin was cool, he let out a sigh of relief.
Loraine watched the young couple’s affectionate interaction, then looked down at her grandson. Maybe that call from the housekeeper was all just a misunderstanding. After all, she hadn’t seen Blanche leave the study herself; the mess in there was probably just the work of some careless maid.
She began to scold him, her voice full of stern concern. “Healy, how could you call Jeannette ‘Mommy‘? Laney is your mother. She gave everything for you–her health, her body. Whenever it rains, her back aches terribly. How could you hurt her feelings like this?”
“Grandma won’t let anyone hurt your mom. If Jeannette taught you to say those things, she’s the one who has to leave.”
Healy’s eyes brimmed with tears, his face clouded with hurt. It wasn’t his fault his mom had given birth to him–she’d made that choice herself. Why should he be blamed for her suffering? Still, with his grandmother and father glaring at him so fiercely, he didn’t dare talk back.
“Laney, don’t worry,” Loraine continued. “Even if Jeannette is a distant cousin from my side of the family, she’s led Healy astray. I’ll see to it she’s punished and sent away immediately.”
lanced at Loraine and realized she wasn’t being accused of covering up Eddy’s
This was all because of what happened at the preschool that morning. If Loraine was y over something so trivial, Blanche couldn’t imagine how she’d react if she ever found e truth.
Suddenly, Healy dropped to his knees in front of Blanche, clutching her hand. “Mom, please don’t let Grandma send Miss Jean away.”
“My birthday’s in thirty days. You always ask me what I want for my birthday, right?” He looked up at her with pleading eyes. “I don’t want anything else. I just want Miss Jean to stay with me. Forever.”
“Mom, you can’t go back on your promise.”
Blanche studied his young, stubborn face. Even while begging, there was defiance in his eyes. If Jeannette had used him as a pawn, it was Healy’s choice not to show his mother the respect she deserved. One day, when he learned the truth, he’d have no one to blame but himself.
Yet she still wanted to give him one last chance.
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“Healy, are you sure this is what you want most for your birthday?”
“Yes,” he said without hesitation.
“Healy, you won’t regret this?”
“I won’t!” Healy nodded emphatically. “I just want Miss Jean to stay with me forever.”
“Very well.” Blanche slid her hand from his like silk slipping off steel. “Mark your calendar, Healy. Your birthday gift arrives in thirty days.”
And that would also be the day she left.
Healy stared at Blanche, who had turned her head away from him. Something sharp twisted inside his chest. He couldn’t remember the last time she’d called him by his full name. No matter how angry she was, she never did that. Yet, just now, she’d said it three times.
But when he thought about how she’d always spoiled him in the past, he pushed away the uncomfortable feeling. She might be upset now, but she’d cool off soon–she always did.
Healy turned to Loraine, calling out, “Grandma, Mom already agreed. I won’t call Miss Jean ‘Mommy‘ anymore, so please don’t make her leave.”
Loraine saw that Blanche had made no demands, and with Eddy quietly supporting her, Blanche seemed as docile as a kitten–silent and meek. Loraine assumed the matter was settled. “Your
mom won’t make Jeannette leave, but I didn’t promise that.”
“From now on, someone else will look after you.”
s final.”
In front of Blanche, Loraine dismissed Jeannette. No matter how much Healy cried and ded, it made no difference.
Blanche felt a wave of warmth as Loraine stood up for her. In thirty days, when she left without a word, she knew Loraine would be heartbroken. Blanche resolved to leave a note, at least, so Loraine wouldn’t worry.
Thinking of the next month–thirty days with no Jeannette around–her mood lifted a little. Not wanting to trouble Loraine further, she left with Eddy and Healy for home.
They had barely driven out of the estate when Blanche’s phone buzzed with a message from Jeannette.
Blanche, have you ever heard the story? In old, rich families, when the daughter–in–law can’t have children, the mother–in–law secretly finds her son a mistress–a canary in a gilded cage.
Blanche, I really pity you. Betrayed by the people you trust the most.
Guess where I am right now?
Jeannette sent a photo: a bed of tulips in the backyard of Blanche’s childhood home–her mother’s favorite flowers, lovingly planted by her own hands. In the photo, Jeannette’s fingers
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crushed one of the blooms to pieces.
Blanche stared at the image, fury burning through her. She turned to Eddy. “Take me back. Now.”
