She didn't let herself feel anything about that, either.
She walked up Heath Road just after four, backpack slung over one slumped shoulder.
Ophelia opened the door herself.
Her eyes were glassy and red rimmed, as if she had been crying. Aria felt her resolve soften before she remembered her long game.
"Aria..." Her voice was thin, like withered leaves in a brittle wind.
Aria smiled politely. "Good afternoon, Mrs. Hornsley. Hope everything is well."
As if that disastrous night had never happened.
She went straight to the kitchen and started on a watercress and pea soup. She served it with quiet care and politely declined when Ophelia asked if she'd like some herself.No more reading for me, she thought grimly.
She put the clothes into the washer. Vacuumed. Cleaned the washroom. All while feeling those tired, faded eyes watching her. But the trust that had once warmed the space between them had withered into nothing. Now, there was only performance.
As Aria packed up her things, she said evenly, "The rest of the soup is in the fridge. I'll see you tomorrow."
She reached for the doorknob.
"Aria..."
Her hand paused.
"I'm sorry," Ophelia said. "I didn't expect things to turn out this way."
Aria didn't look back.
"Goodbye, Mrs. Hornsley," she said softly as the door clicked behind her.
The walk to the Du Valares' building passed in a blur.
She worked there only two evenings a week, but maybe now she'd need more. She'd given Ophelia her notice two days ago-when she still thought she was in control of something.
She swiped her ID card and took the elevator to the third floor.
Halfway through her shift, Ebele Adeyemi, her supervisor, caught her just as she was putting away the mop.
"Aria," she said gently. "Can I have a word?"
Aria blinked and nodded, then followed her into the little break room, its fluorescent lights buzzing faintly overhead.
Looking uncomfortable, Ebele didn't speak right away. She glanced evasively down at the clipboard in her hands, then back at Aria.
"I've been meaning to...talk to you," she began carefully. "It's about the schedule."
Aria felt her heart stutter.
Ebele hesitated again, then sighed. "We're downsizing."
A beat.
"I'm really sorry," she said. "They're letting a few of the part-time staff go. It wasn't my decision; I tried to push back."
Aria blinked. "What?"
"I'm so sorry, Aria. Your last day will be in two weeks, as per your contract. I would've warned you earlier if I could. They sent the memo this morning."
