The Flower That Grew from Ashes novel Chapter 34

The night draped over the Lehman Estate like heavy black velvet, sealing the sprawling property in suffocating silence.

The silver band from dinner lodged itself like an invisible fishbone beneath the calm facade of the house.

Annelise returned to her guest room. Harriet followed close behind, shutting the door quietly.

"Miss..." Harriet's voice trembled with suppressed worry and anger. "That Clarissa... how dare she!"

Annelise didn't answer. She walked to the window, staring out at the pitch-black courtyard slick with rain.

Her face was entirely serene, as unbothered as a frozen lake without a single ripple.

That ring wasn't just for her to see; it was for the entire Lehman family.

Clarissa was testing Lizzie's bottom line. She was probing Barnum's patience. And she was making a bold statement that she was only one step away from becoming the next Mrs. Lehman—the only thing left was for Annelise to exit the stage.

She needed to speed things up.

The next morning, the sky was a dull, washed-out gray.

Annelise dressed in her most inconspicuous beige trench coat, pulling her long hair into a loose, low bun.

By the time she reached the dining room downstairs, Lizzie was already sitting at the head of the table sipping her morning tea.

"Mrs. Lehman."

Annelise walked over, holding out her phone screen with a perfectly measured look of excitement.

"My college friends are having that reunion today. A few of them flew back from overseas, so it's a rare get-together. I was thinking..."

Her tone was careful, laced with just the right amount of deference.

Lizzie's eyes swept over the social media post tagging Annelise, taking in the cluster of smiling young women.

She didn't object to this kind of networking.

As far as Lizzie was concerned, her daughter-in-law making useful connections was good PR for the family.

"Go ahead," Lizzie said, setting her cup down, her tone indifferent. "Have the driver take you."

"Oh, that's okay," Annelise shook her head immediately, offering a polite, almost apologetic look. "The restaurant is in the historic district. The streets are narrow, and parking is a nightmare. I already agreed to share a cab with one of the girls."

Lizzie waved a hand dismissively, granting permission.

"Just be back early."

Annelise's heart securely anchored itself in place.

The moment they stepped outside the estate's wrought-iron gates, Annelise and Harriet quickly turned down a side street and slipped into a taxi they had waiting.

"Platt?" The young nurse thought for a moment. "We do have a Nurse Platt here—Josie Platt. She transferred over from Cresthaven. Do you need something from her? She's on the day shift, currently changing dressings in one of the rooms."

"Yes, yes, that's her." Annelise let a look of relief wash over her face. "I have a private matter I need to consult her about, and it's not really convenient to discuss it out here. Could you... possibly point me to a quiet room?"

Perhaps it was because Annelise seemed so entirely unthreatening, or maybe the mention of the prestigious Cresthaven General carried some weight, but the young nurse didn't question her. She pointed down the hall toward a small office.

"You can wait in there. It's the head nurse's office, but she's out at a meeting today, so it's empty. I'll let Josie know you're looking for her once she's done."

"Thank you so much."

Annelise expressed her gratitude and walked toward the office.

Pushing the door open, she was hit by the dusty smell of old medical supplies.

She didn't turn on the lights. She simply walked to the window and stood there, quietly waiting.

About ten minutes later, footsteps approached the door.

The door creaked open, and a thin woman in pink scrubs stepped inside.

"Hi, I heard you were looking for..."

Josie's words died in her throat the moment she made out the silhouette by the window.