“Oh, yes, right here.” I wasn’t going anywhere until we had this out. “Right here in this room that smells like patchouli and wet pizza boxes. Last night I shared details with you about Lachlan’s life, and you assured me it would stay between us. What was it you’d said? We were just two girls doing some unburdening, right?”
Celeste sniffed in disgust. “You obviously had put personal feelings over the success of your client and of Flair, and I needed to take charge.”
“What you did was betray Lachlan and me.” How had I ever thought Celeste was worthy of hero status? “My priority was my husband, and you knew I was feverishly working on his PR. I could’ve managed that just fine without exposing his paternity to the entire world.”
Elton gasped. “You did that?” He pointed a scone toward Celeste. “Girl, no.”
“Tell me how you discovered the truth about Emmerich,” I demanded. “Did you hire a private investigator to work overnight?”
“No,” Celeste said hotly. “I dug around myself. It wasn’t hard, so when you’re aiming that blame, keep in mind anyone could’ve uncovered who Lachlan’s dad was, and soon someone would have. I scanned the internet for paparazzi photos and easily found a dozen of Lachlan and Benjamin at a restaurant in New York. Their resemblance is unmistakable. My son showed me Lachlan’s old gaming YouTube account from his college days, and wouldn’t you know it, his half-brothers, who he called by name, made appearances in a few of his videos. All that took me less than three hours. If Emmerich and Lachlan wanted their connection kept private, they should’ve worked harder to make that happen.”
“People matter, Celeste.” My skin burned with heat, and it was all I could do not to bellow. “The lives of a father and son matter.Ishould’ve mattered.”
“I will not tolerate failure on my watch, Olivia.” Celeste was not a woman accustomed to being challenged, and she didn’t seem to know what posture to strike while enduring it. “You had an ace up your sleeve, and you refused to use it. You knew what you needed to do for your client, and you wouldn’t pull the trigger.”
“What about the right thing to do as a human being?” I asked. “Do you have any idea how much I’ve looked up to you all these years? I wanted to dress like you, talk like you, command a room like only you can. But now?” Good heavens, I’d been so blind. “Now I realize how hollow your success is. You’d sell out your own kids if it meant a win for Flair.”
“It’s time you left.” Celeste stabbed a finger toward the door. “I’ll have Berta pack up your desk.”
“You can’t fire me, Celeste.” These next words frightened as much as they satisfied. “I quit.”
Celeste gave a bitter laugh, her smile sayingoh, you simple little girl. “That promotion was all yours, Olivia. You’re going to throw it away now?”
“No.” I saw the truth in her face and knew she’d played me for a fool for the last time. “You’ve passed me over before, and you would’ve done it once more. You need me here too much—for Flair and for your children. I’ve been your Yes Girl for years. But today? Today I’m tellingyouno. I’m done.”
“Fine!” Celeste yelled. “I don’t want someone this sensitive and immature anyway.”
“And another thing?” If I was going down, I might as well torch this job beyond all recovery. “I despise theme days. We all do. I hate wearing costumes to work. Nobody thinks they’re fun, and the only thing they inspire is stress.”
Elton lifted a hand to testify. “They make me chew Prozac like bubble gum.”
“Goodbye.” I gave a room-sweeping wave. “I’ve learned a lot during my time here, I’ll miss most of you, and I wish you all the best. Oh, and Morgan, Celeste’s kids have to be at school by 7:45. You should probably learn the route.”
“You’re making a huge mistake,” Celeste called out as I walked to the door.
“I’ve made a lot of mistakes lately.” I glanced back, taking a mental snapshot of my old life. “But this isn’t one of them.”
ChapterFifty-One
OLIVIA
Sylvie
Olivia, open your door or I break it down with nothing but my bare hands.
Rosie
Answer the phone, Olivia.
Hattie
If you need to talk, I’m here.
Sylvie
Of course she needs to talk. And even if she doesn’t, I DO.
Hattie
