Chapter 3 - The Man Who Was Supposed to Be Gone
Zo did not move.
“Where?”
Evan glanced toward his sister.
“Outside.”
“Outside this building?”
The boy nodded.
“He watches us.”
“Does Tessa know?”
“No.”
“Why haven't you told her?”
“Because she'll get scared.”
Zo studied him.
“And you're not scared?”
Evan's silence answered.
Zo crouched slightly.
“Tell me exactly what happened.”
The teenager explained.
Three weeks earlier, walking home from school, Evan had noticed a man across the street.
Older.
Thin.
Baseball cap pulled low.
At first Evan had ignored him.
Then the man said his name.
Evan recognized the voice.
Daniel Cole.
Their father.
The man who had vanished after their mother's death.
“He wanted money,” Evan whispered.
“How much?”
“I don't know.”
“He threaten you?”
“He said families owe each other.”
Zo's expression hardened.
“Did he touch you?”
“No.”
“Good.”
There were few things Zo hated more than cowards.
Men who abandoned children ranked near the top.
“Don't tell Tessa I told you.”
“I don't make promises I can't keep.”
Evan looked disappointed.
Zo put one hand on the boy's shoulder.
“But nobody is touching you or your sister.”
“How do you know?”
Zo's eyes became cold.
“Because now I know you exist.”
The next morning, Tessa arrived at the estate expecting to be fired.
Instead, Carmine intercepted her in the kitchen.
“Sit.”
“I have work.”
“Sit.”
A plate appeared.
Eggs.
Toast.
Fruit.
Tessa stared at it.
“I’m not hungry.”
Carmine pointed a wooden spoon at her.
“Boss's orders.”
Her stomach tightened.
“Which orders?”
“You eat breakfast.”
“I don't—”
“And lunch.”
Tessa stared.
“And dinner gets packed for you.”
Around the kitchen, nobody looked surprised.
Zo had already spoken to them.
Tessa marched toward his study.
She entered without knocking.
Zo looked up.
“You're supposed to knock.”
“You told the kitchen to feed me.”
“Yes.”
“I don't need charity.”
“Good. It isn't charity.”
“What is it?”
“Employee benefits.”
“Don't joke.”
“I rarely do.”
She stood before his desk.
“You came into my home.”
“You invited me.”
“You invited yourself.”
“Technical difference.”
“Then you sat with my family and now suddenly everyone here knows?”
“Nobody knows anything except that your meals are packed.”
“I don't want people feeling sorry for me.”
Zo leaned back.
“Neither do I.”
“Then why are you doing this?”
“Because starving employees make mistakes.”
She stared at him.
“That is the worst excuse I've ever heard.”
“It was the best one I had available.”
For a second, Tessa almost laughed.
She stopped herself.
Zo noticed.
Something softened between them.
Only slightly.
Then Gabe entered.
His expression erased it.
“Boss.”
Zo saw the look.
“What?”
“We need to talk.”
Tessa turned toward the door.
Zo stopped her.
“Stay.”
Gabe hesitated.
“We found someone watching her building.”
Tessa froze.
“What?”
Zo looked at Evan's sister.
He had intended to tell her carefully.
That option was gone.
“Your father is back.”
Tessa went white.
“How do you know?”
“Evan told me.”
“He what?”
“He saw Daniel three weeks ago.”
Tessa grabbed the desk.
“No.”
Zo stood.
“Tessa.”
“No.”
She looked furious now.
“Why didn't Evan tell me?”
“Probably because he knew you'd react exactly like this.”
“My father doesn't come back unless he wants something.”
“What?”
“Money.”
Zo's eyes narrowed.
“You don't have money.”
“He doesn't care.”
The story came out slowly.
Daniel had always gambled.
After his wife's illness, debts multiplied.
Then she died.
Daniel disappeared.
Tessa became a parent overnight.
“He'll use Evan,” she whispered.
“He won't.”
“You don't know him.”
“No,” Zo said. “But he doesn't know me.”
That evening, Zo increased surveillance around Tessa's apartment.
He told himself it was practical.
A vulnerable employee could become leverage.
He refused to acknowledge the truth.
He cared.
Days passed.
Tessa began eating.
Color returned slowly to her face.
She still packed dinner for Evan and Lily, but now she did it openly.
Sometimes Carmine added desserts.
Once Zo saw three slices of chocolate cake disappear into the canvas bag.
He said nothing.
A week later, Tessa found a new pair of work shoes inside her locker.
No note.
She immediately went to Zo.
“You bought these.”
“No.”
“They're exactly my size.”
“Coincidence.”
“Mr. Rossi.”
“Tessa.”
She placed the box on his desk.
“I can't take them.”
“Then work barefoot.”
She stared at him.
His mouth almost curved.
Tessa picked up the box.
“You are impossible.”
“So I've been told.”
She reached the door.
“Tessa.”
She turned.
“Keep them.”
Their eyes met.
Something passed between them neither was ready to name.
That night, Tessa returned home carrying dinner.
The apartment door was open.
She stopped.
“Evan?”
No answer.
“Lily?”
The food bag slipped from her hand.
She rushed inside.
A chair had been overturned.
One of Lily's drawings lay torn on the floor.
“EVAN!”
Silence.
Then she saw an envelope on the table.
Her hands shook as she opened it.
Inside was a handwritten message.
Tessa read it once.
Then again.
Her knees nearly gave out.
Her phone rang.
Zo.
She answered but couldn't speak.
“Tessa?”
She inhaled sharply.
“They're gone.”
Zo was already standing.
“Who?”
“Evan and Lily.”
His voice changed instantly.
“What does the note say?”
Tessa looked at the words.
“He wants money.”
“How much?”
Her tears finally fell.
“Not from me.”
Zo became very still.
“Then from who?”
May you like
Tessa read the final line aloud.
“He wants it from you.”
