Chapter 6

Jennifer shot Curtis a withering look. “Kid, stop babbling nonsense.”

Maddox’s stoic face was the picture of silence. His years hadn’t acquainted him with the slang of youth. He tried to make sense of it, but “popping out kittens” seemed more like a symptom of a gynecological or a psychiatric issue. It wasn’t his place to inquire too directly.

“Anne… are you feeling unwell?” he asked.

Leanne’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she hastened to say, “No, he’s just talking nonsense.”

After dinner, Curtis and Maddox hunkered down in the study for some time. Jennifer brought them some coffee and lingered longer than expected.

Leanne had been waiting in the living room. She hadn’t slept well the night before, and after a whole day of work, it wasn’t long before she dozed off on the couch.

Sarah, the household’s housekeeper, came over and gently woke her. “Leanne.”

Leanne rubbed her eyes. “Time to go?”

“Mr. Curtis and Mr. Maddox are still discussing matters. He won’t be leaving anytime soon.”

Sarah had been looking after Leanne since she was a child, treating her as her own. “Your old room is all tidied up. Do you want to go upstairs and rest a bit?”

Leanne rarely visited, except for holidays or when Jennifer called. She wouldn’t come or her initiative.

room still held some of her belongings, remnants of her childhood, though not much belonged to

for a cardboard box, and after packing, she descended the stairs with the box in her arms as Curtis stepped

the box she was carrying.

when I was little. I forgot

an enigmatic expression that wasn’t

time, don’t talk nonsense before your parents.”

tie, and glanced at her sideways. “Weren’t those your own words?”

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11-14 E

Chapter 6

Leanne insisted. “You throwing it

Curtis

on, I’ll make a list of what you say. Mark what can be shared and what can’t. I’ll adhere strictly to avoid accidentally

time, Leanne recognized the

out on you.”

for her explanation and turned

dwarfed by his shadow, elongated by the dim light of

she struggled to

already parked at the front. Curtis stood by the car, lighting a cigarette. The ember flared in his fingers, the wind

snuffed out his smoke. “What’s with those legs if you can’t keep

‘Can’t you see I’m carrying a box?’ but

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