Chapter 6

In the living room, Jenny lounged on the couch eating fruit while her mom, Fiona Klutz, walked out of the guest room with a yawn.

Celine's chest tightened.

Whenever George visited, even with the guest room sitting empty, Derrick always frowned.

"Celine, have George head home after dinner. I don't like sleeping in a bed after someone else has used it."

Even when Celine begged, eyes red, and promised to replace the bedding and clean the room afterward, he'd still shake his head.

"No. The smell sticks around."

George always brushed it off with a smile. "It's fine. City beds are too soft anyway. I sleep better at home."

But Fiona was staying there now.

Celine gripped the doorknob until her knuckles went white.

So that was it.

Derrick favored Jenny.

And anyone connected to Jenny got special treatment.

"Ugh, what a crappy day!" Fiona crunched on chips, dropping crumbs all over the floor.

"The grocery store had eggs on sale this morning, and some woman in front of me was taking forever.

"I barely shoved her a couple times, and somehow she broke her arm! Now she's blaming me. Total scam."

She turned to Derrick.

"Derrick, you're a lawyer. She says she's gonna sue me. Can you make it go away?"

Derrick didn't even blink. "It's just a civil dispute. I already sent my secretary to deal with it.

"I'll handle the case myself later. Don't worry. Make yourself at home."

Then he smiled. "I studied law to solve problems."

Celine went still.

So much for all those principles Derrick loved preaching about.

The second Jenny or Fiona was involved, none of them mattered.

The hypocrisy was almost funny.

Almost.

Fiona sighed in relief and rubbed her feet. "Derrick, I walked so much today. My feet are killing me..."

That was when Derrick finally noticed Celine.

"Celine, perfect timing. Come massage Mrs. Klutz's feet."

Celine shook with humiliation.

'What am I to Derrick? His freaking servant?'

"No!" she said.

Derrick's eyes darkened. He grabbed her and yanked her over.

"Don't forget your dad's case. Cooperate, and maybe I'll help him.

"Otherwise..."

Celine went cold.

She couldn't risk finding out what he meant.

In the end, she nodded and sat on the floor in front of Fiona.

She reluctantly picked up Fiona's sweaty foot.

Her stomach turned.

Digging her nails into her palm, Celine started massaging it, stiff and robotic.

"Ow! Easy! Are you trying to crush my foot?"

Fiona kicked Celine hard in the face, then smirked.

"I heard you graduated from some fancy university. And look at you now, still waiting on an old woman like me."

Celine's eyes burned red, but she stayed quiet.

'I'll take anything if it keeps Dad out of prison...'

Like a robot, Celine kept going until the massage was over, then let go numbly.

She struggled to her feet and found Derrick.

"My dad's case..." Her voice was hoarse. "You promised. Can you drop the charges now?"

Derrick turned to her and casually ruffled her hair.

"Don't be ridiculous. When did I say I'd drop the charges?

"When I said I'd help, I meant I could shave a few years off your dad's sentence. He is my father-in-law, after all.

"I don't want you stressing too much."

Celine stared at him.

Then she snapped.

"You lied to me?!"

She lunged at him, pounding his chest. "Derrick! You tricked me again! You bastard!"

Derrick frowned and caught her wrists. "Are you done?"

He glanced toward Fiona, then lowered his voice.

"Keep it down. JenJen and her mom are staying here, so get a hotel tonight.

"Don't make this harder."

Before Celine could argue, he opened the front door and shoved her outside.

Bang.

The heavy door slammed shut, cutting her off from everything inside.

That night, Celine stayed at a cheap motel nearby.

But she couldn't stop thinking about her dad's upcoming trial.

The next day, out of options, she swallowed her hatred and called Jenny.

She needed Jenny to sign a letter asking the judge for leniency.

The second Jenny answered, Celine forced her voice steady.

"Jenny, I'm sorry... Would you sign a letter asking the judge to reduce my dad's sentence? He's old. He can't handle prison..."

To her surprise, Jenny sounded cheerful.

"Cece, you don't have to apologize. We're best friends! If Ricky hadn't made such a huge deal out of this, I would've dropped it forever ago.

"Don't worry. I'll sign it behind his back. Our little secret!"

Relief hit Celine so hard she laughed through her tears.

"Thank you... Jenny, seriously, thank you. Can we meet at the coffee shop on the corner?"

"Sure! I'll be right there!"