Chapter 6 - The Crawl Back
Desperation makes people forget their pride.
Late on a Friday evening, the receptionist at the Mayor's office buzzed Clara's desk. “Mayor Hayes? Eleanor Vance is here. She’s begging for five minutes of your time.”
Clara looked at Martha, who was sitting on the office sofa reading a book. Martha nodded.
“Send her in,” Clara said.
Eleanor walked into the office. The cashmere coats and pearls were gone. She looked exhausted, her makeup failing to hide the deep, terrified bags under her eyes. She carried a small, wrapped gift box.
“Clara, sweetheart,” Eleanor choked out, forcing tears into her eyes. “I brought you a gift. It’s... it’s your old childhood locket. I saved it all these years.”
Clara didn't even look at the box. “What do you want, Eleanor?”
Eleanor collapsed into one of the leather chairs, sobbing into her hands. “They’re ruining us! The banks are calling in our loans. We are going to lose the house, Clara! Please. You proved your point. You won! Just lift the stop-work orders. For your family.”
“My family is sitting right there,” Clara said, pointing to Martha.
Martha looked at Eleanor with absolute disgust. “You didn't save that locket, Eleanor. Clara was wearing it the night you threw her out. I took it off her shivering neck in the hospital.”
May you like
Eleanor froze, the lie exposed.
“You aren't sorry you abandoned me,” Clara said coldly. “You’re just sorry I survived. Security is waiting outside. Do not ever return to this building.”
