The Years Between Signing and Seeing novel Chapter 69

“Josie, is it? I’ll let this go once,” he said, his handsome face cold and hard, his tone like ice. “But if there’s a next time, I’ll do something far worse than anything Lexi threatened you with. And one more thing—Suzie is not someone you can afford to cross.”

Josie wiped her tears, his chilling words making her tremble. “I understand. I’ll remember,” she stammered. “To make up for my mistake, I want to make this right. I’ll keep talking to Lexi, and if she asks me or anyone else to do anything, I’ll tell Suzie immediately.”

She turned from Oliver to Suzie. “Suzie, please, judge me by my actions from now on. I really just want to work hard, get established, and build a life for myself in this city. That girl at the desk next to yours told me about your résumé. People really respect your work, and I do too…”

“Alright,” Suzie interrupted gently. “I believe this wasn’t your intention from the start. It’s not too late to turn things around. It’s getting late, let us give you a ride home.”

Josie wiped away her final tears and nodded, her voice thick with emotion. “Okay, Suzie. Thank you.”

When the car arrived at Josie’s address, Suzie looked out at the run-down neighborhood. It seemed to be the kind of place with shared kitchens and bathrooms. She frowned. “You live here alone? Is it safe?”

“It’s fine,” Josie said as she got out. “I usually come straight back after work. With my current salary, I’m lucky to afford even this.”

She gave a small bow. “Thank you, Suzie. Thank you, sir.”

“Get back safe. See you at work tomorrow.”

“Suzie?”

Oliver’s voice pulled her back to the present. She nodded. “Right. I get it. From now on, besides you and Stella, I’ll be wary of everyone.”

She had found the courage to risk that kind of desperate confrontation at the hospital and to stand up to Jamie’s tyranny, all to protect her babies. What was being cautious around a few colleagues in comparison?

Suzie gently caressed her stomach. “As long as they can grow up healthy,” she murmured, “I’m willing to do anything.”