Chapter 10
She clenched her fingers tightly, retorting, “This marriage wasn’t my choice, either. Don’t forget your family needed a favor from me.”
There was a moment of silence on the phone before Jennifer’s voice softened but still carried an air of superiority, “I know, you’ve done our family a service. We won’t shortchange you. You’ll get every penny we promised. Once you’ve divorced Curtis, this whole thing will be over, and you’ll owe nothing to our family.”
Oh, to owe nothing.
After hanging up, Leanne slumped in her chair, deflated.
It was deep into fall, and the leaves in the sycamore grove were nearly all gone, just a few withered remnants clinging to the bare branches.
The new intern knocked on the door. “Dr. Castillo, it’s almost one o’clock. Are you ready?”
Leanne took a deep breath and straightened up. “Yes, I’m ready.”
“That old hag said what? You owe each other nothing, my foot!”
Just before the end of her shift, Leanne got a call from Joy, who could tell something was off. After prying out the details of the lunchtime conversation, Joy was livid.
“The Richardson family owes you one, okay? What was that jerk Curtis aggrieving for? If he were so aggrieved, he should’ve never touched you! Damn, he’s thinking with his penis!”
Leanne nearly spat out her water, quickly checking that no one was in the break room.
She collected her water and headed back. “Ms. Campbell, mind your language. I’m at the hospital.”
“So what? I’m not wrong!” Joy wasn’t done ranting. “You’re the victim here. After marrying him, he continued to live it up, flaunting his affair with that Suzan for all to see, leaving you to be disrespected by everyone, and even the housekeeper thinks she can crap on you! “You’ve thrown away three years of your prime for what? Nothing but ridicule and a played-out heart!”
Only a true best friend could hit where it hurt most accurately.
Leanne replied, “So, I guess you wouldn’t mind if we stopped being friends.for, let’s say, five hundred years?”
“No, no, no,” Joy quickly backpedaled, realizing she had got carried away. “I’m off work now. Just wait for me to pick you up. I’m treating you to a feast!”
1/2
Chapter 10
“Your idea of a feast is usually liquid, I presume.”
Joy chuckled. “You know me inside out.”
She wasn’t much of a drinker, but she loved her occasional drinks, claiming work stress and the joy of alcohol. Whenever she offered to treat Leanne to a feast, it inevitably ended at a bar.
Leanne stepped out of the hospital to find Joy’s called ride waiting curbside, her head poking out of the window, waving.
Settling into the car, Leanne habitually pulled out her hand sanitizer, and well-trained, Joy extended her hands for a spritz.
“There’s a new bar with a promotion tonight, fifty percent off for couples!”
The word ‘discount’ was Joy’s weakness, and ‘fifty percent off was like a siren’s call, impossible to resist.
Leanne pointed out. “We’re not a couple.”
“Why so literal?” Joy wrapped an arm around her. “We say we are, and who’s to argue? People are open-minded these days. Worst comes to worst. We land a peck on each
other there!”
Leanne declined, “I’ll pass, thanks.”
“No veto. You’re married, and I’m still single. Technically, I’m at a greater loss.”
Due to Joy’s impulsive confidence, getting into the bar was easier than Leanne expected She wrapped an arm around Leanne’s waist and gave the bouncer a nod. “Pretty obvious huh? I’m the ‘t’ in the relationship.”
Leanne was speechless.
Joy was determined to lift her spirits and ordered a feast of delicacies and premium drinks they usually wouldn’t splurge on..
The bar was upscale, the ambiance pleasant, and the snacks tasty. But tonight, it was packed. The booming music created an atmosphere, restless and noisy.
Ever the gossip queen actively trawling the internet, Joy knew all the latest buzz. “Your husband came back to stake his claim on the inheritance, didn’t he?” she asked.
11