A Love Lost to the Years novel · Chapter 18 of 24

Chapter 18: Stand Up

On Wednesday Kenneth brought his wife lunch, because he had said he would.

He carried a paper bag from the diner by the docks through the lobby of the Wexford Tower.

Nobody stopped him this time.

The security desk had changed his badge to a plain gold one that said Mr. Nordlund.

He had decided not to have feelings about it until after he ate.

The assistant looked up from her desk and pressed a button.

"Go in," she said. "She's not alone, and I'm sorry."

"Who is it?"

"I couldn't stop him. Security sent him up, and I'm told he cried at the front desk."

Kenneth pushed the office door open with his shoulder.

Annabel sat behind her desk in the walnut chair, very straight, with both hands flat on the arms.

Sheldon Lowry was on his knees on the carpet in front of her.

His camel coat was crushed.

His head was down on her knee, and his shoulders were shaking.

Kenneth stood where he was, with the paper bag in his hand and the door open behind him.

It was the same room, the same chair, and almost the same picture.

But her hands were on the arms of the chair, not on his shoulder.

She had not touched him at all.

"Ninety days," Sheldon was saying into her knee, in a voice scraped raw.

"Please. That's all I'm asking. They've pulled every unit."

"The investors called me this morning, all three of them. I don't have a cent."

"I know," Annabel said.

"You can call the note back. You own the bank."

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