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His victims were awarded a majority of his multimillion-dollar estate two years after his death. I didn’t come forward to claim my share because I had already been given my reward for years of hurt.
I had a daughter with a smile brighter than the sun.
My heart pains wondering how Tillie handled such harsh news without any support.
It must have torn her to shreds.
As I walk her toward the couch, I ask, “Are you okay? Do you want to talk about anything you saw? You can ask me anything you want, and I will tell you the truth. I promise.”
Her strength shocks me when she lifts her head to peer up at me. Her cheeks are tear-free. “I have a handful of questions.”
With her reply seemingly unfinished, I say, “But…”
“But…” It isn’t time for dramatics, but Tillie wouldn’t be Tillie if she didn’t test out her acting skills at any given opportunity. “They can wait until after we come back.”
I stare at her with my brows pulled together.We’re going somewhere?
The truth hits me hard and fast when she nudges her head to the left. I was so focused on making sure my secrets didn’t irrefutably scar my daughter that I forgot we have a guest.
“Riley…”Gosh.She knows exactly what Tillie is going through and what she could possibly go through in the future, and I’m grateful she was here for this.
I doubt she will ever hear the words I spoke to Tillie from her “mother,” but I need her to know that Mrs. Orlov’s response will never be the norm.
She is also the best person to help me guide Tillie through this, second only to the man who commenced fighting for her before he had even officially met her.
My heart rate soars when it dawns on me what I must do.
I need to make this right.
I need Tillie, Ark, and Riley to know that they didn’t do anything wrong, and I know exactly where to start my campaign to make things right.
While pulling an invitation out of the drawer I stuffed it in last week, I say, “You are to stay by mine or Riley’s side the entire time. No questions asked.”
Tillie fights not to mentally high-five herself.
Riley’s eyes widen to the size of saucers.
“Me? You want to leave her under my care?” When I nod, Riley scoffs. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
I lessen the terror hardening her features with ten short words. “A mother knows who she can leave her children with.”
“Yeah, but I’m…different. I’m?—”
Her eyes snap to mine when I interrupt. “Trustworthy. I trust you, Riley.”
With her shock too high to communicate, Tillie rejoins our conversation. “And she really hates trashy teen dramas, so it is the perfect time for us to binge-watchHeartbreak Highon my Nintendo while she gets her man.”
Determined to get her way, Tillie snatches up her Nintendo and drags Riley out of our apartment before a single protest can leave her lips.
Our plan hits a snag when we exit my building. “I can’t let you do whatever you’re planning to do, Ms. Malenkov. Ark?—”
“Isn’t giving orders tonight, Darius. So how about you either step aside and let us hail a cab, or drive us to where we need to go.”
“Riley—”
“It’s Ms. Orlov,” Riley snaps out, her sass giving Tillie’s a run for its money. “And the last time I checked,Orlov& Associates pays your wages.”
I thought Ark was bossy. He’s got nothing on Darius’s stubbornness. “I have orders?—”