Susanna
Florence gave a short nod at my offer. “That’s generous of you,” she said, tone unreadable. “But I can’t abandon my shift at the hospital.”
I gave a small scoff, still wiping tears from my cheeks. “I’ll take care of it. The hospital wouldn’t dare refuse me, not with who I am. That’s not your problem. Just answer the question, do you accept my offer? Do you agree to be hired by me for the day?”
There was a short pause before she said quietly, “I’ll help you in any way I can, Mrs. Remington.”
Her voice radiated how sincere she was, but I still gave her a brittle smile, the kind meant to hurt. “No haggling?” I asked, my tone mocking. “You’re not going to negotiate your pay like a proper hire?”
This time, Florence didn’t flinch. She simply shrugged in that maddeningly stoic way of hers and said, “I trust you won’t embarrass yourself by underpaying me.”
The laugh that tore from my throat was jagged, broken in half by a sob that wouldn’t stay swallowed. “Of course not,” I whispered.
