Chapter 6: The threats

I recognized the voice immediately.

“What is going on here?” Mrs. Janet stood with her arms crossed, eyes sharp as they scanned the room.

“What is all this mess? On your first day at work?” Her gaze moved from the spilled bucket to me on the floor.

“I asked a question,” she snapped.

“Well, I think she’s gone mute,” Zoe spoke first, her voice dripping with fake indignation.

“This cleaner attacked me,” she said, pointing at me. “She’s incompetent and violent. I want her reported.”

Mrs. Janet didn’t respond immediately. She looked at me instead.

“Get up,” she said curtly.

I pushed myself off the floor, ignoring the pain in my back, water dripping from my uniform. My hands were shaking—but I stood straight.

“She’s lying,” I said quietly. “She kicked the bucket and pushed me.”

Zoe scoffed. “Of course she’d say that.”

“I’m sorry, Miss Zoe. Today is just her second day at—” Before Mrs. Janet could finish, Leonard stepped forward.

He looked directly at Mrs. Janet. “This is unacceptable,” he said coldly. “Absolutely unacceptable.”

My heart sank.

“You are the head of this department,” Leonard continued. “Yet this is the level of professionalism you allow?”

Mrs. Janet’s brows furrowed. “Sir—”

“I don’t care what happened here,” he cut in sharply. “What I see is a poorly trained cleaner creating chaos in my workplace.”

“Is this the kind of staff you employ?” he asked. “People who can’t even do basic work without causing scenes?”

The words hit harder than the fall.

“I suggest,” he went on, voice clipped and deliberate, “that you do a better job hiring professionals. This is an office, not a marketplace.”

Zoe’s lips curved in quiet victory.

Mrs. Janet turned to me.

“Go clean yourself up,” she said stiffly. “Then report back to the storeroom.”

I nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”

I walked away without looking at Leonard again.

Later. In the storeroom, I stood alone, staring at my reflection in the mirror.

Wet uniform. Red eyes. Trembling hands. But my pride was still intact, because at least Mrs. Janet didn’t make me beg.

I scrubbed at my uniform like I could wash the humiliation out of it.

What had I expected?

Leonard would never choose me.

I tied my hair back again, steadied my breathing, and the door opened almost immediately.

I turned to see a young lady about my age, dressed neatly, eyes sharp but kind.

“Good morning! I’m Beryl,” she said brightly. “I’m a legal trainee.”

“Good morning,” I replied, turning away. I wasn’t in the mood to talk.

She leaned closer. “You look so familiar but I can’t place your face.”

“I don’t think I know you,” I said quietly.

“Did you attend UWW?”

“What’s that?” I asked, confused.

“University of Westwood,” she replied.

“Oh… no, I didn’t.”

Then I paused. I had gained admission once. I even went to school to process my clearance. But I never proceeded with the course.

“I knew it,” she said excitedly. “I’ve definitely seen you somewhere. I never forget a face—especially beautiful ones like yours.”

I forced a polite smile.

“I also gained admission to study Law,” she continued. “I’m doing my final-year internship here. I think I met you during clearance.”

“Oh. okay. I should go now. I have work to do.”

“Wait! What do I call you?” she asked.

“Camille,” I replied, rushing out.

I didn’t want any more drama than what I already had with Zoe and Leonard.

That whole day, I worked nonstop.

Zoe kept calling me.

“Oops,” she would say sweetly. “Clumsy me. I spilled my coffee again.” after she dropped a cup of hot coffee on my hand. 

By evening, I was exhausted.

Then I was called to clean Leonard’s office.

I entered quietly. While I was cleaning, he stood up and came closer.

“Camille.”

I didn’t turn. My eyes stayed fixed on the floor I was mopping, wishing I could erase him like the dirt I was cleaning.

He stepped even closer. Our bodies touching.

“You don’t have to do this,” he murmured. “You don’t belong here.”

I stopped mopping and faced him slowly.

“Mr Leonard Hayes, I belong wherever I choose to be.” I snapped.

His mouth curved slightly. “You’re angry.”

“No,” I said evenly. “I’m done.”

I turned to leave, but he grabbed my arm.

He lowered his voice. “You know you don’t have to suffer like this. You could come home. We could talk. Fix things. I know you're starving of my touch”

I laughed once. Short. Humorless.

“Please, Leonard. Stop. You’re beginning to sound like a broken record.”

“You know what happened yesterday was business,” he said quickly. “This—” he gestured between us “—this is personal.”

“I’m not your personal problem anymore,” I said. “Stay away from me.”

His expression hardened.

“You think you’re strong now?” he asked quietly. “You think you can ever be free from me?”

I met his eyes without flinching.

“I’m free already. Let me refresh your memory—I signed the divorce papers. If you're looking for who to touch. Your sluts are always available.”

Something dark flashed across his face.

“You should be careful,” he said. “Because I always get whatever I want. You will quit this job and come home.”

He loosened his grip and told me to get out.

I picked up my bucket and left without a word.

As I stepped out, I met Beryl. She quickly dragged me to a corner.

“Why would you let him talk to you like that? Sorry, I eavesdropped.”

“It’s nothing, Beryl,” I said casually.

“It’s not nothing. I think he's harassing and threatening you—and that’s against the law.”

She adjusted her glasses.

“Under criminal law. Section 875, subsection c and d of Title 18, threats, intimidation or coercion are punishable by the law.”

I blinked. I had never heard of it.

“Beryl, please. It’s not that serious. I’m exhausted. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

But she didn’t look convinced.

“It's serious Camille, I saw what happened in the morning, Zoe and Leonard are harassing you and I can't stand it.”

“Thanks for your concern Beryl, but I assure you it's not that serious. I need to go now.” I waved at her and left hurriedly.

The last thing I want is people here, finding out I was married to that scumbag. 

That night, Olivia carefully cleaned my bruised fingers.

“How do you manage to get this many injuries in two days?” she scolded gently.

I smiled. “Occupational hazard.”

“Must you do this? she scolded softly. “Dad and mum can take good care of us.”

I smiled. “I won’t do this forever. I just need to get back on my feet.”

She rolled her eyes. “You’re lucky I just started nursing school. Free practice.”

I laughed.

“Yes, our little pretty nurse. I’ll be more careful.”

She stepped out to return the first-aid box.

That was when my phone began to ring.

I glanced at the screen—

And my face turned pale.

Veronica Harold.

Leonard’s mother.

My fingers trembled as I silenced the call.

It rang again.

And again.

On the fourth ring, I finally picked up.

I expected venom.

Instead, her voice was soft. Unbelievably calm.

“Camille, dear,” she said warmly. “It’s been a long time. How have you been?”

My stomach tightened.

She had never called me “dear” before.

“I just wanted to check on you,” she continued sweetly. “After all, you’re still family.”

Family?

My chest felt cold.

“And I think,” she added gently, “it’s time we talked… about something very important.”

“There's nothing to talk about ma'am, we are no longer family, I think you should talk to your son.” I replied.

There was a pause.

Then she said quietly. “I know where your sister studies.”

My blood froze.

“And accidents happen so easily these days. You should know from your dad's experience.”

“Don't go near Smitheen’s holding ever again. I'll be in your matrimonial home tomorrow evening, make sure you're home my darling Camille.”

Then the line went off.

And for the first time since I left Leonard.

I was truly afraid.