The Double Life of My Hot Secretary novel · Chapter 17 of 24

Chapter 17: Costly Things

"Nothing I'd have to thank you for," I said.

It was the only true answer I had.

Vaughn nodded once.

"Understood," he said, and he put on his coat.

He stopped at the door with his hand on the frame.

"I'm not going to ask you to forgive me for the Monday I sent you home. That was mine, and I'm sorry for it."

"You didn't owe me an apology for that."

"I'm giving it anyway."

He left, and I sat on the velvet couch with my mask in my lap until Gus knocked and asked if I wanted a ride.

In the morning I drove to Harbor House with my hair still damp.

The business office had opened early, and the woman behind the desk was waiting for me with an envelope and a very odd expression.

"Miss Kilgallon, I don't know how to say this."

"Just say it."

"Your mother's account was paid in full yesterday. Two years in advance."

I stared at her.

"Who paid it?"

"A Mr. Draycott came in person at five o'clock. He brought a bank draft from his private account." She slid a page toward me. "He asked us to read this to you if you had questions."

I picked it up.

It was one typed paragraph, with his signature under it.

This payment comes from my own money. It is not from the company, and it is not from my father. It is made in your mother's name. No one can cancel it, including me. You do not owe me a job, a conversation or a thank-you. If you want your cashier's check back, it is attached. If you want to refuse any of this, refuse it.

A cashier's check for twenty-seven thousand, six hundred dollars was stapled to the bottom.

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