Maid for My Nemesis novel · Chapter 12 of 24

Chapter 12: The Envelope

We sat on the floor of his empty room, with our backs against the bed frame, because there was nowhere else.

The morning sun came across the boards and lit up the dust.

For a while, I was too angry to speak.

I was angry at him, and at his father.

I was angry at myself for the hours I had spent hating him while he ate noodles off a hot plate.

"Tell me all of it," I said. "Start with the part where you stole my job."

He flinched.

"Presley's father holds the bank loan on this house," he said. "His company bought my father's debt in July."

"He came to see me the week after my father left."

"He sat on that desk chair and said he was sorry for my trouble."

Julian's mouth twisted.

"He said the school would be a shame to lose, in its hundredth year."

"And he said he'd pay my tuition through June, out of the kindness of his heart."

"What did he want?"

"The Centennial needed a Whitcombe on the stage."

"A president with the founder's name, who would sign whatever the treasurer put in front of him, and smile at the donors."

"A puppet," I said.

"A puppet," Julian agreed. "In return, I keep my seat in class and a bed in this house until November."

My hands were fisted in my lap.

"And Presley?"

"She wanted the office more than he wanted her to have it. She doesn't forgive that. She doesn't forgive me, either."

"So you took my sash."

"I took your sash." He turned his face toward me.

"I never wanted it, Hattie. I stood on that stage and I felt sick."

"I looked at your face when you folded it, and I thought, I've just taken her rent."

I looked away.

"The award came with the office," he said. "Nine thousand dollars a year."

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