Chapter 10
468 Words
8 AM.
Reilly was in the kitchen with Martha, trying to learn where the cups were, when the madame's nurse wheeled her in.
"Set three places," the madame ordered before anyone could speak. "My son, my daughter-in-law, and me. Breakfast. Together."
Martha froze. "Ma'am, Mr. Hemsworth prefers-"
"I know what he prefers," the madame cut her off. "Today he prefers to eat with his wife."
Reilly wanted to sink into the floor. "Mrs. Hemsworth, I can eat after-"
"You're Mrs. Hemsworth too," the madame said gently. "Sit, Reilly."
Liam walked in exactly 30 seconds later. Suit jacket off. Sleeves rolled up. He stopped when he saw the table. Three plates. Three chairs. Side by side.
Vanessa was already there, smirking into her coffee. She'd been waiting for this.
Liam looked at the empty chair next to his mother. Then at Reilly. His jaw ticked. _Manipulation_, his eyes said again.
He pulled the chair out. Sat down. Didn't look at Reilly. Didn't speak.
The table went silent except for silverware.
The madame broke an egg on her plate. "Liam. Tell your wife about the east garden. She should see it before winter."
"I'm sure she's busy," Liam said, cutting his toast. Sharp.
"I'm not," Reilly said quietly. Too quietly.
Liam's knife paused. He didn't look up. "It's just flowers. Dying ones."
"Everything dies in winter," the madame said. "Doesn't mean it's not worth seeing." She turned to Reilly. "Eat, child. You're too thin. Martha said you barely touched dinner."
Reilly picked up her fork. Her hand shook.
Vanessa leaned forward. "Mother, don't you think it's cruel? Forcing him to-"
"Don't," Liam said. One word. Low. Vanessa shut up.
He still didn't look at Reilly. But when Martha poured coffee, he slid the sugar bowl toward Reilly's side of the table. Without looking. Without a word.
Reilly saw it. Froze.
The madame saw it too. She smiled into her tea.
For ten minutes, no one spoke. Just the sound of eating. Of a house pretending to be normal.
When Liam stood, he didn't say goodbye. Just "I have a meeting." He walked out.
But as he passed Reilly's chair, he stopped. Half a second.
"East garden," he said, so low only she heard. "After 4. If you want."
Then he was gone.
Reilly stared at her plate. The sugar bowl was still on her side.
Vanessa hissed, "He didn't mean it."
The madame patted Reilly's hand. "Yes, he did, dear. He just doesn't know it yet."
- Writer
