—Mabel—
The silence that followed his departure suffocated me. Perspiration pricked my skin as I leaned forward and clicked on the intercom.
“Mara, please come.”
A faint crackle, then her voice came through.
“Right away.”
I leaned back in my chair... stared blankly at the door as Tom's last words replayed in my head. Why did I feel so exposed to his wits? As if he’d peeled back a layer I didn’t even know was showing—all thanks to the tabloids
The door slid open and Mara walked in.
“Ma'am?”
“Take care of this,” I said and gave her the flowers.
She nodded. “Of course.”
"I waited until she was gone, then reached into my purse for my phone and dialed Ruth’s number.
She picked up. “Hello, bestie. What's up?”
“Guess what just happened, Ruth.”
“What?”
“Tom Marlow was here. No, it wa
