He Took the Fall for Her Lover, So Now He Takes Everything novel · Chapter 4 of 24

Chapter 4: The Envelope

Cal got to the diner on Detroit Avenue an hour early.

He took the corner booth, with the door in front of him and the register to his left.

A camera hung over the register, aimed at the whole room.

Three years inside had taught him to find every camera in a room.

Lena came in at noon sharp in sunglasses and a camel coat, with her hair tied back and her eyes red.

She slid into the booth across from him and took his hand before he could move it.

"Cal," she whispered. "Thank God."

He pulled his hand back.

"You said you didn't know my voice."

"I panicked. Preston's people were in the room when you called." Her eyes filled on cue. "They've watched my phone for three years. I couldn't write. I couldn't visit. I did all of it for you."

"You did what for me?"

"The money." She leaned in. "A hundred thousand, Cal. I kept it safe in an account in your mother's name. Preston wanted me to hand it back. I told him I'd rather die."

"My mother was thrown out of Mercy General yesterday morning."

"I know. It's horrible. I didn't know until I saw the video."

"The doctor says she has never had surgery."

Lena's face did not move.

It stayed gentle and sorry, exactly as before, and that was how he knew she had practiced it.

"I'll fix everything," she said. "I brought a start."

She set a plain white envelope on the table and pushed it toward him with two fingers.

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