The Ending She Read (And the One He Rewrote) novel Chapter 16

In the living room of the Sargent estate, Serena hesitated for three seconds before realizing it was Harriet.

Realizing that her mother must have just called Harriet, she glanced back toward the master bedroom. When she spoke again, her voice was even softer. "Harriet, Mom is in the greenhouse. I'll have her call you back later, okay?"

It wasn't like Harriet was close to their mother anyway.

This call was just a tiny blip before she left the house. She could easily just "forget" to pass on the message.

Harriet wouldn't tattle, so their mother would never know.

Besides, even if she did find out, their mother wouldn't blame her.

Serena was feeling pretty smug.

But the voice on the line turned even more vicious. "Serena, don't make me slap you! I'm giving you three seconds. If my mom isn't on the phone, expect me over there to rip your head off!"

???

Was she crazy?

How dared she?

Serena froze, barely able to believe her own ears.

"...One!"

Without a three or two, Harriet barked out a sharp 'one' and immediately hung up.

Listening to the dial tone, Serena could vividly picture the explosive, unhinged Harriet speeding over to the house to murder her.

She immediately shrieked at the top of her lungs, "Mom! Harriet's on the phone!"

"Oh? Harriet called back?"

The master bedroom door pulled open, and Audrey stepped out, looking surprised, wearing one earring and holding the other.

When she took the phone, it had already been disconnected, as if Harriet had gotten too impatient.

Audrey called right back.

It connected instantly. "Mom..."

Catching her breath, Audrey was stunned.

Since returning, Harriet had never been close to the family.

Out of the ten times she came home, nine ended in a screaming match.

Since she got married, they hardly ever saw each other.

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