Three minutes later, his audio reply buzzed on my phone.

“Paige, please do not start an unnecessary scene.

Rachel has worked faithfully for me for years, and raising little Sadie alone in that run-down apartment building was becoming impossible.

I stepped in to help a struggling mother, and that is all there is to it.”

Then came the offhand remark that made my jaw drop.

“It is just a house, Paige, and you know very well that I can easily afford it.”

I gave him twenty minutes to call me or offer a real explanation.

He read my follow-up text asking him to talk right away, but he chose not to respond.

That was why I ordered the biggest arrangement of roses the downtown florist had in stock.

Forty minutes later, I pushed through the revolving glass doors of Callahan Enterprises with the bouquet resting heavily across my arm.

The receptionist sat up straight, her eyes widening in immediate alarm.

“Mrs.

Callahan, good morning!

Are you here to see Mr.