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Beverly turned her eyes to Carla and flipped her off. “Fuck you, Ms. Jones.”

With that, she turned and marched out of the building.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Roses trailed her walkway from the mailbox to her front door. Every day for the rest of the week, Carla would arrive home to a different color of flowers welcoming her home.

At her door, there was always a note—something heartfelt, rendering her speechless for the moment.

I miss you more than words can say,bellissima. I pray for health over your life every night and wage war against our spiritual enemy to rid you of any illnesses or worries that may weigh you down. Light of my life, I wish you peace and comfort in the days ahead.

—Jacob

That was just one of many notes that made Carla fall in love with him all the more. By Saturday, she couldn’t take any more of their separation, and when the call came in from Dr. Morrison, Carla answered the phone so quick it barely had a chance to ring.

“Give it to me straight.”

“Good evening to you, too, Ms. Jones.”

“I’m sorry. I’m just… I’m about to lose my mind, doctor.”

“I understand. As a friend, I’ll tell you. There was no evidence found that you’ve been sexually assaulted.”

Carla exhaled so hard that she fell onto the floor. Tears clouded her eyes, and she covered her heart with her hand.

Her voice broke when she responded. “I knew it. I knew it. I knew it.”

“As your doctor, I’ll tell you that you should report this to the authorities and ditch the guy you trusted.”

“Oh, he’s ditched. Trust me. I never knew this would be something I’d have to worry about with him. It’s so weird. I don’t understand why he lied about it.”

“To manipulate you. He has nothing over you now. You can rest assured about that.”

Carla’s lids blinked rapidly. He did have something. The picture of her naked. Her line beeped, and when she pulled the phone away from her ear to look at it, Lennox’s number bounced back and forth on the screen.

“Is there anything else, doctor?”

“Not unless you have more questions for me. I received these results yesterday but was so busy I didn’t get to call you before the day’s end.”

“That’s okay. Thank you for calling with the results now.”

“You’re welcome. Have a good weekend.”

“You too.”

Carla hung up and clicked over, answering Lennox’s call. “You lying piece of shit.”

“Good afternoon to you too, Carla.”

“Why are you calling me?”

“You know why. I need you on my arm for this fundraising event.”

“I need you on the first flight to hell, but we don’t see that happening.”

“Ouch.” He laughed. “You’ve always been bold with that tongue. You should use it properly, and me and you would be in love right now.”

“Trust me. I use it properly on Mr. Rose every chance I get.”