Chapter 2: A Debt That Couldn't Be Repaid
Chapter 2: A Debt That Couldn't Be Repaid
Dominic didn't threaten her.
He didn't shout.
He simply looked toward one of his security men.
"Escort Mrs. Whitmore out."
Vivian stared in disbelief.
"You can't remove me."
"I already did."
Two men approached.
No one argued.
No one intervened.
Chicago's most influential woman walked out of the Bellamy Grand Ballroom without another word.
Only after the doors closed did Dominic face Grace again.
Marcus hurried over.
"I deeply apologize, Mr. DeLuca. She'll be dismissed immediately."
Grace lowered her eyes.
She expected the words.
Expected the end.
Instead Dominic asked,
"How long have you worked here?"
"Almost four years."
"You like your job?"
She laughed quietly.
"I like paying rent."
For the first time that evening...
The corner of Dominic's mouth almost smiled.
Almost.
Margaret squeezed Grace's hand.
"You remind me of someone."
"My mother."
Grace looked surprised.
"She's in the hospital."
Margaret noticed the exhaustion hidden beneath Grace's professional smile.
"What happened?"
Grace hesitated.
Then, without meaning to, everything spilled out.
Two jobs.
Medical bills.
Her brother Noah.
The eviction notice.
The oxygen machine.
Months of pretending everything would somehow be okay.
When she finished...
She looked embarrassed.
"I'm sorry."
"I shouldn't have said all that."
Dominic asked only one question.
"Which hospital?"
"Saint Catherine's."
He nodded once.
Nothing more.
The evening continued.
The orchestra played again.
Guests slowly returned to pretending nothing extraordinary had happened.
But before leaving...
Dominic handed Grace a simple black business card.
No title.
No company logo.
Only a phone number.
"If anyone makes your life difficult because of tonight..."
He paused.
"They answer to me."
Grace stared after him as he disappeared into the crowd.
She slipped the card into her apron.
Certain she'd never use it.
May you like
She had no idea that before sunrise...
Everything was about to change.
