The Choices We Made novel · Chapter 10 of 24

Chapter 10: What He Didn't Ask

Weston crossed the study in three strides and stopped in front of Gretchen.

"The key," he said.

Behind him, Eliza held Albie against her shoulder and did not move.

Gretchen's face softened into worry. "Wes, I came because Constance called me. She said Albie wasn't well."

"He's well."

"Then why are the two of you crying?"

"The key to my house."

She looked past his arm at the desk, then at Eliza, and Eliza watched her make a decision.

Gretchen opened her purse.

She took out a brass key on a ribbon and laid it in his palm.

"You're making a mistake," she said quietly. "Whatever she's told you, remember who signed what."

Weston closed his fingers.

"Is that a threat?"

"It's a reminder. A name on a letter is a name on a letter, Wes. Your hand wrote it."

She turned on her heel and went down the hall.

At the door she did not look back.

The housekeeper, who had been standing frozen with a tray, set it down very gently on a table.

"Miss Kittredge is not to be admitted again," Weston told her. "Not for any reason."

"Yes, sir."

"Take Albie to the kitchen. Give him whatever he wants."

The nanny came and gathered the boy from Eliza's arms.

"I'll be right back," Eliza told him.

"Promise?"

"I promise."

He let go, and she watched them down the hall until the kitchen door closed.

Then she turned around, and she slapped her husband across the face.

It cracked in the quiet study.

His head turned with the blow. He did not lift a hand.

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