The Queen Reborn: Claiming What's Mine novel · Chapter 5 of 32

Chapter 5: Rain on the Roof

"Cora, dear," said the voice on the landline. "I'm so glad Pearl let me speak to you."

Odessa Maddox sounded exactly as she did at charity luncheons, warm and unhurried.

Cora held the receiver with both hands.

Last time, this voice had been the only kind one after the divorce, and she had cried into it.

"Mrs. Maddox," she said.

"Odessa, please. We were family for six years." A soft sigh. "I want you to know I had nothing to do with that interview. My son was foolish. Come to tea on Sunday, and let me make it right."

"I'm busy on Sunday."

"Then let me send someone to fix your grandmother's roof," Odessa said. "I heard it leaks."

Cora's grip tightened.

She had never mentioned the roof to anyone outside this trailer.

"No, thank you," she said.

"You always were a proud girl." Odessa laughed lightly. "Pride is expensive, dear. Think about that."

The line clicked.

Cora set the receiver down very gently.

"Who told her about the roof?" Pearl asked.

"I don't know," Cora said. "But I'm going to find out."

The rain began at four.

By six it was coming down in sheets across the park, hammering the metal roof of the single-wide so loudly that Cora and Pearl had to shout over it.

The first leak opened above Pearl's bed.

The second came through the kitchen ceiling and landed in the dumpling pot.

Cora put out bowls, then buckets, then the large mixing bowl.

At seven, headlights swung across the window, and a car door slammed.

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