Oh goody, the Hartwells are home.
Chapter 31
Maya
TheHartwellsaremad.Justifiably so.
But for one blissful moment, both hugged their daughter like they’d never before held something so precious. And then that precious treasure opened her mouth. Her story was noticeably different from the one she told Serena and thankfully devoid of many incriminating details on my part.
The story remained the same when she repeated it to the police, who have been milling about since the Hartwells returned.
Mrs. Hartwell keeps eyeing me. I know she is ready to send me packing but doesn’t want to do so in front of Bella.
“Thank you for explaining everything, Mr. Hawthorne,” Mrs. Hartwell says. She’s been almost as enchanted with the man as her daughter. It has left Mr.Hartwell bristling and standing protective of his family; maybe there’s hope for them yet.
“No problem. If you ever need anything, please call,” he says. I’m convinced Liam could charm a snake, as evidenced by the fact he convinced Mr. Hartwell of his wrongdoing by buying the painting illegally.
Mr. Hartwell apologized profusely, embarrassed to be caught in his crime, and promised Serena he’d work with local FBI agents to stop further black market deals.
Liam and his wife left before I could stop them. I should have. But I couldn’t, not with the police and the Hartwells hovering around. When Soren didn’t leave with them, Mrs. Hartwell was confused.
“And who is that?” she asks me, referring to the man who stood in the corner with his arms folded and not necessarily a scowl, but a grim expression, the entire time.
“He’s, uh…” I’m not sure what to say.
“Oh, that’s Maya’s friend. He saved our lives like a hundred times,” Bella offers.
Mrs. Hartwell’s eyes flick to mine. “Maya’s, huh?”
Bella’s face pinches as she realizes her mistake. I didn’t know she knew my real name, but with all her eavesdropping on the security system, she’s probably known from the very beginning. She opens her mouth, possibly to defend me, but I don’t want her to lie. I lift my hand to stop her.
“My identity was stolen, and I couldn’t get a job with my tainted name,” I say quickly. “But that’s no excuse.”
Mrs. Hartwell’s lips pinch in displeasure, and she motions for me to follow her.
She leads me to the slime-covered conservatory, which is blessedly empty of police officers, then turns on me. This is it. The end. I thought about quitting this job the first time Bella pranked me… and pretty much every time since. But I got to know that little girl, and she became important to me. Leaving her is going to hurt.
“I think you know you’re fired, right?” Mrs. Hartwell says with a terse expression.
“Yes.” My voice is small, defeated, and the guilt weighs heavily on my shoulders. But there’s also relief in having the lie I’ve carried around for almost a year set free.
“The only reason I’m not having you arrested is because you kept my baby safe. And for some odd reason, she loves you.”
I duck my head in shame. “She’s a great kid.”
“She is.” Some of the anger disappears from her voice. “I know I don’t owe you an explanation, but I’m going to be better. I’m going to work from home and take more days off…” She falls onto the edge of a chair, dropping her head to her hands. She’s silent for so long I almost consider it a dismissal. But then she looks up at me, tears brimming in her eyes. “Have I failed her?”
I think of that wise saying:no one fails who keeps trying. Unfortunately, she hasn’t been trying much lately.
“No,” I say. “But she needs more than what money can buy for her. She needs rules and discipline.”
Mrs. Hartwell’s eyes narrow, and I stumble on. I’m already fired, so what could it hurt?
“What she really needs is your time. Put your phone down and talk to her. Play with her.”
She twists her wedding ring and swallows. “She’s kind of scary to play with.”
A laugh escapes me. “I know. But she’s incredibly smart and gifted and hilarious.”
