Seventy-Four Dollars
Chapter 02 - Seventy-Four Dollars
Olivia had seventy-four dollars in her bank account, a pharmacy bill due Monday, and a mother who still apologized whenever she needed help getting out of bed. She wanted to tell Luca everything. She also knew what Vanessa had said before hitting her.
"Your mother receives assistance through a Moretti foundation," Vanessa had whispered. "It's amazing how quickly paperwork goes missing."
That afternoon, Olivia had carried towels into the guest room and discovered Vanessa arguing with William Mercer over a folder of photographs. Mercer said he had been hired to observe Luca's meetings but refused to fabricate a report accusing him of a five-year affair. Vanessa called him timid. She told him the photographs had to frighten Sofia away from the upcoming wedding, whatever story he needed to attach.
Olivia stepped backward. Her heel struck a wastebasket. Vanessa turned, caught her shoulder, and dragged her toward the doorway. Olivia struggled free and struck the frame. The blow sent bright pain across her cheek. Mercer stared without intervening.
"Say you walked into a door," Vanessa ordered. "And remember your mother."
Now, facing Luca in the study, Olivia heard another sound outside. Daniel opened the door and found an empty hall. A distant elevator chimed. Luca asked Daniel to arrange for Vanessa and any uninvited visitors to remain away from Olivia while he secured the footage. He did not authorize a search or threaten anyone; he wanted evidence that would stand up outside his own house.
"I can lose the job," Olivia said, struggling to keep her voice even. "I can't lose my mother's care."
Luca looked at her for a long moment. He had heard desperate appeals in boardrooms and from people who owed him money. Olivia's fear had none of their practiced exaggeration. "Your employment and her assistance aren't bargaining chips," he said. "Whatever happens with Vanessa, you'll have an independent way to report what she did. And you won't be forced to speak tonight."
Olivia wanted to believe him. She had watched him accept Vanessa's affection for months while staff whispered about unexplained firings. She remembered how he had smiled through dinner while she was almost too frightened to lift a plate.
"Why didn't you stop the party?" she asked.
May you like
"Because I wanted her to think I hadn't noticed," Luca answered. Then, after a pause: "That choice left you alone for another forty minutes. I'm sorry."
Before Olivia could reply, Luca's phone vibrated. Sofia's name illuminated the screen. Her message contained one sentence: THE BLUE TRIANGLE MEANS THEY KNOW ABOUT THE BOX. DO NOT TRUST YOUR FIANCÉE.
