Chapter 4 - The Lie Beside the Pink Cake
Connor entered through the front door carrying a pharmacy bag.
He stopped when he saw the crowd.
Teresa immediately approached him with open arms.
“Surprise.”
Connor did not hug her.
“I told you to cancel.”
Several relatives turned to watch.
Teresa lowered her voice. “Do not humiliate me.”
Connor searched the room for Amy.
He found her near the staircase, holding Frederick.
She looked frightened.
Connor crossed to her.
“What happened?”
Amy glanced at Teresa.
“Nothing.”
Connor knew she was lying.
Before he could press her, Frederick coughed.
Connor touched the baby’s forehead.
“He’s warmer.”
“The medicine looked wrong.”
“What do you mean?”
Teresa interrupted. “Amy left it unrefrigerated.”
Amy’s eyes widened.
“That is not what happened.”
Teresa gave Connor a patient smile. “She has been under pressure.”
Connor looked at Amy.
She was breathing too quickly.
“What happened?” he repeated.
Dylan emerged from the hallway carrying a wineglass.
“Your wife accused everyone of trying to hurt the baby.”
“I accused you,” Amy said.
The room became quiet.
Dylan laughed. “Of what?”
Amy stared at Connor.
She wanted to tell him everything.
But Teresa’s warning echoed in her mind.
Connor could lose more than the house.
What did that mean?
His company?
His freedom?
His life?
Connor placed one hand on Amy’s shoulder.
“Talk to me.”
Teresa clapped loudly.
“The cake has arrived.”
A catering worker rolled a pink cake into the kitchen.
It was covered with sugar flowers and silver decorations.
The worker looked at the writing beneath the flowers and frowned.
Teresa quickly moved in front of him.
“Set it on the island.”
Connor did not look away from Amy.
She whispered, “Your office.”
His expression sharpened.
“What about it?”
“Check the cabinet.”
Dylan’s glass stopped halfway to his mouth.
Teresa turned toward Amy.
Connor noticed both reactions.
He handed the pharmacy bag to Amy.
“Give Frederick the new medicine. I’ll be right back.”
Teresa blocked the hallway.
“You are not leaving during my cake ceremony.”
Connor stared at her.
“Move.”
For several seconds, neither did.
Then an elderly aunt began singing the birthday song.
Others joined uncertainly.
The moment broke.
Teresa stepped aside.
Connor walked toward his office.
Dylan followed.
Amy moved after them, but Frederick began crying again. One of Teresa’s sisters pushed a stack of dirty plates toward her.
“The caterers are busy,” the woman said. “Wash these before the food dries.”
Amy stared at her.
“You cannot be serious.”
Teresa appeared beside the sink.
“Do it.”
“No.”
Teresa lowered her voice. “Connor’s office is empty.”
Amy looked toward the hallway.
Dylan had returned alone.
Connor was not with him.
“Where is Connor?” Amy demanded.
Dylan smiled. “He received a work call.”
Amy tried to move past him.
Teresa blocked her.
“Wash the dishes.”
Frederick cried louder.
The relatives watched Amy as though she were the problem.
She realized Teresa wanted her visible, overwhelmed, and humiliated when Connor returned.
It was a performance.
Amy placed Frederick in the carrier against her chest and turned on the water.
She did not obey because Teresa controlled her.
She obeyed because Connor was somewhere in the house, Dylan had stolen documents, and she needed them to believe she had surrendered.
Behind her, Dylan slipped toward the office again.
Amy watched his reflection in the kitchen window.
Then she saw Connor outside through the glass doors.
May you like
He was walking up the garden path carrying a second pink cake.
The man who had entered the office had not been Connor.
