#Chapter 17 – Betrayal
Abby

“What? Why?” Some of them have worked for me for years, Olivia the longest of them all. What would

drive her and the others to quit so suddenly?

No one answers.

“Why are you all quitting?” I repeat. I’m not letting them leave here until I get some sort of explanation.

No one looks at me. Clearly, none of them want to be the one to step forward and tell me the truth.

After all these years together, they were just going to sneak away in the night without an explanation.

Without even finishing their shifts.

Finally, Olivia comes forward, a determined look on her face. “Because they’re joining my restaurant.”

I turn to her, my eyebrows going up. “Your restaurant?”

She nods.

“But why? Am I not good enough to work for?”

She shrugs. “I just haven’t enjoyed working for you. I’ve felt for a long time that I could do a better job,

and so I started my own place.”

I thought we were friends, but I can see now that I was mistaken. That realization alone is almost as

shocking as the news that every single one of my employees wants to work for her over me.

A wave of insecurity crashes into me. Maybe I’m not as good a boss as I thought I was. I’ve always

strived to make this a good place to work. A place where employees can actually enjoy their shifts, but

apparently, I didn’t do a good enough job.

I can feel Karl’s eyes on me, and I suddenly wish I just took a cab. Of course, after telling him I didn’t

need his help, he had to bear witness to my failure.

“I didn’t realize you felt that way,” I say as monotone as possible. I can’t let them see how hurt I am.

“You’re still stuck in this ridiculous family system.”

“Right.”

“And I just know my place will be really popular.” She looks around at the others. “Everyone else

agrees.”

no one pays him any mind. It looks like he’s

hair, and pronounced limp, Ethan doesn’t come across

didn’t feel the need to poach him with

gesturing to the others. “Let’s

past her, glancing sidelong at Karl and Adam as they go. Olivia’s gaze lingers on

has to

use that to convince everyone to leave? I refused to

be told, I acted petty, and I’m sure she used that

advantage.

at the last minute, her hand on the

she obviously doesn’t care. “No employees.

That’s going to be rough.”

She just grins and pushes her way out of the

to look at any of them. Ethan lingers for a

the chairs. The injury in his leg slows him a little,

he’s used

“Abby,” Adam starts.

his gaze, “I don’t really want to talk about it right now. I

you should just meet me

don’t want me

Karl, thankfully, stays quiet.

I think I’d like to be alone

a good night’s

much doubt I’ll be getting any sleep tonight, but I don’t want to

sort of explanation for this. The last thing I want to do is

what happened, and then somehow try to wrap my head around what I’m going to

even anything

God, I’m so screwed.

Karl. “I can’t deal with all this right now.” I

need help

laugh escapes. “You, cleaning? Now that

brows pull together. “I was genuinely

shake my head. “Me and Ethan have

for him to leave,

spare Adam another glance before

I say to

on the cheek. “Don’t worry, we’ll figure this out. I

I can provide financial support if you want to continue opening the

about

as I do when he’s gone. Sometimes it feels more like we’re

to stay and comfort

of him

dishwasher going. He nods and gets to

the kitchen, I let the tears fall.

order another drink, and the bartender pushes a glass of Vodka

I’ve had,

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