Over Before She Loved Me novel · Chapter 5 of 24
Chapter 5: Nobody Owes Anybody
The private dining room at the Duquesne Club held twenty people and one long table.
Every partner of Rayburn Builders was there, with their wives, and a cake that said Safe Travels, Dustin.
Dustin stood by the window with a glass he hadn't touched.
His mother rose at the head of the table and tapped her fork against her wine.
"Thank you all for coming. My son leaves for London on Friday, and I'm proud of what he'll build there."
Polite applause.
Barrett, at Dustin's elbow, raised his glass.
"To the best man I know."
Dustin drank.
Dolores waited until the clapping died.
"Of course, there are other changes in the family." She smiled thinly. "Some of you have heard that Dustin's marriage has ended."
Nobody breathed.
"I won't pretend I'm sorry. It was a business arrangement from the start. His grandfather's trust required a wife, and a hospital biller with a sick mother was convenient. We bought her mother a kidney, and Dustin was released from the clause."
"Mother," Dustin said.
"I'm only being honest." She looked around the table. "We paid for a purchase, and the purchase has now expired."
A partner's wife looked at her plate.
The door at the end of the room opened.
Joelle stepped in.
She wore a plain green dress and her hair down, and her face had some color again.
She held a long cream envelope in her right hand.
Every head turned.
"Mrs. Rayburn," she said. "You're right about the purchase."
Dolores lifted her chin. "You weren't invited."
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