Chapter 6

Linda glanced at it, her face a bit stiff. "What does a piece of paper even mean?"

Uncle Charles picked it up and read out loud, "Rent, six thousand dollars. Paid by Stella."

The laughter at the table died down.

Ryan frowned. "What's the big deal? It's just six thousand dollars."

I looked him in the eye. "Twenty-six years ago, that six thousand dollars was your grandfather's entire funeral benefit."

Ryan froze.

Claire spoke softly, "Stella, are you bringing this up to make Richard feel guilty?"

"Guilt? He doesn't even know what that is," I said. "I'm reminding you all, don't be so quick to treat me like a stranger."

Linda gritted her teeth. "What exactly are you trying to do?"

I slipped the receipt back into my bag.

"I'm here to eat," I said.

Throughout the rest of the meal, nobody tried to make me drink the wedding toast again.

When dinner was over, Claire followed me out into the yard.

"Stella," she called.

I turned around.

She was standing under the porch, wrapped in Richard's coat. "What else do you have?"

"What are you so afraid of?" I asked.

She took two steps closer, lowering her voice. "Ryan is Richard's only son. If you mess with him, Richard will come after you."

I looked at her. "Are you so sure he's the only one?"

Under the porch light, Claire's face turned ghostly pale, as if someone had wiped away every trace of blood.

Richard stepped outside. "Claire."

She whipped around, but her foot slipped, and she tumbled down the steps.

Richard rushed over and caught her.

Ryan came running out. "Aunt Claire!"

I stood in the yard, watching as they gathered around her.

Claire was cradled in Richard's arms, but her eyes went right past his shoulder, locking onto me.

There was no weakness in her gaze, a warning.

The next day, Quinn Enterprises held their anniversary party.

I wasn't planning to go, but an invitation arrived at my new place. It was from Quinn Enterprises' PR Department, super polite, calling me Ms. Shaw.

Aunt Julie said, "This isn't really an invitation. They want you to watch their big announcement."

I closed the invitation. "Fine, I'll go watch."

The party was held on the top floor of Quinn Enterprises' own hotel.

When I arrived, Claire was posing for photos with Richard in front of the backdrop. She was wearing a pale blue dress, and around her neck was a pearl necklace, the very one Linda had cherished most when she was young.

A reporter asked, "Mr. Quinn, what's Ms. White's role here tonight?"

Before Richard could answer, Ryan jumped in with a grin, "Of course, she's family."

Claire gave him a light smack. "Don't talk nonsense."

The reporters all burst out laughing.

I walked over and signed my name.

As soon as I set down the pen, Ryan spotted me, and his smile disappeared.

"Mom, what are you doing here?" Ryan asked.

"You invited me," I said.

"The PR Department messed up," he muttered under his breath. "There are a lot of business partners here tonight. Please, don't make a scene."

Claire walked over. "Just in time, Stella. Richard always says you've given so much to this family. Tonight, you deserve a toast from everyone."

She shoved me straight into the limelight.

Just then, the host announced, "Next, let's welcome Mr. Quinn to the stage for his speech."

Richard took the stage, talking about the twenty-six years of storms and triumphs at the company, thanking the staff and partners. Finally, he paused and looked out at Claire in the audience.

"There's one more person who gave me strength when I was at my lowest," he said.

The spotlight fell on Claire.

She covered her mouth with her hand, her eyes brimming with tears.

Richard said, "Claire, welcome home."

Applause erupted.