Chapter 9
Ever since I hung up on Finn that night, things went quiet.
I didn’t hear from him again, not directly anyway.
My father was the only one who occasionally called, and each time he did, it was the same damn thing.
“Jillian, you need to stop acting like a child. Finn’s been flying all over the globe handling business.”
Yeah, right. Handling business.
Probably with Madeline perched on his lap while signing off contracts.
I didn’t say that out loud, though. I just asked calmly, “And how’s Madeline doing these days?”
Dad sighed like I was the unreasonable one. “You’re being ridiculous. She’s not his wife. Stop acting jealous over a woman with no
legal status in this family.”
That’s when I knew.
She was still living in my house. With my son. Like some damn stand-in mother.
I didn’t ask anything more. I just hung up and focused on what mattered: my flower shop, my peace, and little Cici, who had
unknowingly become the highlight of my new life.
One afternoon, we were arranging lavender bundles together, her tiny fingers fumbling with the twine, when my phone rang.
Unknown number.
“Hello?”
“Mrs. Gallagher?”
I froze for a second. That name hit differently now. “Who’s this?”
“This is Ms. Turner, Henry’s tutor. I’m sorry to bother you, but I thought I should let you know, Henry’s skipped classes three times this week. I tried to reach his emergency contact, but no one answered.”
I sighed.
“Okay, look… I’m not Mrs. Gallagher anymore.”
“Oh, I didn’t know. I just assumed, well, sorry. But, maybe you should check in on Henry’s mental health. He’s been acting out.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose. “I’m not the one you should be calling. Contact his father. Or… whoever he listed as backup.”
“I did. Henry listed Ms. Brooks.”
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Madeline. Of course.
“But she clearly doesn’t care. I mean, it didn’t feel right.”
I clenched my jaw. So Henry still tried to lean on her. Poor kid. Still too young to see what kind of woman she was.
“Ms. Turner, I’m sorry, but it’s not my responsibility anymore. I can’t help.’
There was a long pause. Then she muttered, “Okay… I understand.” And hung up.
Cici was watching me with those big, concerned eyes.
“Jillian? Are you okay?”
+25 Bonus
I forced a smile, brushing her hair from her cheek. “I’m fine, sweetheart. Just someone asking the wrong person for help.”
I turned back to the flowers, but the smile didn’t last long.
Meanwhile, back at the Gallagher mansion, Henry was pacing outside Madeline’s bedroom. His fists were balled at his sides, and
his little face was flushed with frustration.
“Madeline! I’ve been out here for half an hour!” he shouted through the closed door.
Inside, Madeline was sprawled on a velvet lounger, carefully painting her nails cherry red.
Her phone buzzed with some useless gossip update, and she smiled at the scandal.
Henry banged again. “I need to talk to you. It’s important!”
Madeline rolled her eyes and blew on her nails. “Didn’t I just say I’m busy? Give me another hour, will ya?”
“But I listed you as my emergency contact! My school’s calling and saying I might get punished! They’re saying I bullied
someone.”
She huffed, standing and strutting to the door in her silk robe. “Well, maybe you should stop bullying people, huh?”
Henry’s voice cracked. “I didn’t! They’re just blaming me. You’re supposed to go talk to my teacher!”
She pulled open the door suddenly and glared down at him. “Jesus, Henry, enough! You’re not my kid. I’m not your damn
secretary.”
He flinched. “But you said you’d be my mom.”
Madeline’s expression shifted. The fake sweetness peeled right off her face.
“That was just something I said so you’d stop crying that night. Don’t cling to me like some lost puppy.”
Then she shoved him really hard.
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Henry stumbled back, hilt the corner of deck th
His forehead hit with a load thurik
She didn’t even blink Joer clammail the dren to his face
Inside her mom, Madeline eighed, grabbed her phone, and dialed
“Hey babe,” the parred when Finn answered. “We’ve got a problem Your kid’s getting on my nerves
