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“Oh God, forget I said that.”

“Look, Monique.” Helen put her hand on the desk but did not move to take Monique’s hand. “I’m sorry. I hardly ever see that woman. I don’t know what my sister is doing with her. Maybe she’s speaking on my father’s behalf. Iknowthey’re not in a relationship.”

“I’m confused, not stupid, Helen.”

“She should have not been there while you were. Ever. The conflict of interest right now is… a bit much.”

“I’ll say. You remember what happened at Midnight.”

“Not only that, but I know what she’s done to you. I don’t like that woman any more than you do. I don’t respect her, not even in a business sense. She’s legal but shady. I’m not cutthroat like she is. I can afford to take my time with dealings. She’s like a kid in high school, messing with people’s money and feelings.”

“That sounds about right.”

“I’m so sorry I made you feel unsafe at any time, Monique. I don’t mean to keep things from you. How was I supposed to tell you? I hoped that it would never matter. I’m not a keeper of my father’s wealth and debts. All I expect to get from him when he dies is some property, like the house and maybe the ranch in Wyoming. Oh, you know, that’s why he’s out west. Jacqueline doesn’t bother him out there. Only the lawyers. Ha, my father thinks if he ‘retires’ out west then he never has to face his responsibilities.”

“I still wish you had told me. You don’t – you can’t – understand how that woman has affected my life. If your father owes her a ton of money, then I need to know… and your sister needs to know that if I’m there, she can’t be there either.”

“So you intend to come back to my home?”

“Now that I know you’re not being cruel to me, I may just yet. Not right now. This whole thing has dredged up a ton of bad feelings, and I intend on wading through them before I commit to you again.”

“Ah, Monique, I’m so sorry.”

“Besides…” She opened her drawer, fingers touching the top of a dangerous letter. “There’s something I haven’t told you either.”

“Oh?”

Time came to a slow as Monique pulled out the latest letter from Jacqueline. She received it a week ago, after a lull in which she received nothing. Blissfully.Now they’re back.

The letter landed in front of Helen. She snatched it off the desk, and Monique turned away. She wouldn’t look at herMistress’s face while she read the filthy words sent by a terrible woman they both despised.

I do remember what it said…

My dear pet,

It seems so long since I saw your gorgeous face in that woman’s window. I was surprised to see it there that day. I didn’t think you would be there… not that day. And yet there you were, your angelic complexion looking upon me as it once did not so long ago. Do you remember? You used to look at me as if I were your god. I miss those glorious days. I’ve long come to realize how much I needed you as my priestess tending to my altar.

Isn’t it about time you came home? You’ve been having quite the sabbatical. Over a year since we last made love. Ah, do you remember it? That final night we were together? I never saw a woman covered in so many beautiful welts. Every time you cried out in pain, begging me to stop, I thought we reached a new level of paradise.

Then you left me, you ungrateful bitch.

I thought you had run off to be with Etta Coleman and her frigid whore. Not so. You struck off on your own, my pet! I could be content with that. Love you from afar, knowing that you were in your tower, secluded from other people’s eyes. And then Helen Warner, that arrogant bitch… not only did you let her touch you, but I bet you’ve fucked her quite a bit. My soiled pet. Who else would want you but me? Nobody. You are worthless to everyone but me.

Come back. Let’s put this behind us.

The letter crumpled in Helen’s hand and found its new home in the wastebasket.

“How long has she been sending you this shit?”

Monique had never heard that edge in Helen’s voice before. It wasn’t erotic. It was genuine anger, the kind that broadcastedthat everyone should get the hell out of the way. Was this a voice she used often?I wonder what she’s like at work.She had always imagined charming Helen getting her way. Perhaps it was something else.

“A few months now. They started after we began seeing each other.”

“She’s trying to get to you, Monique. Don’t believe any of it.”

“I don’t.”

Helen shook her head. “You’re still bothered by it.”