“Why?”
June hesitated.
“Because she knew you.”
That answer hurt.
“She knew I wouldn’t listen?”
June nodded.
“She said you loved people deeply…”
She paused.
“But when you were hurt, you built walls so high nobody could reach you.”
I looked down.
Because Clara had always understood me better than anyone.
Even when I didn’t want her to.
“June.”
She looked up.
“Why were you being underpaid?”
Her expression darkened.
And I knew.
She knew something.
“I don’t know everything.”
“But you know something.”
June remained silent.
Then she walked over to a cabinet.
Opened a drawer.
And pulled out a small envelope.
She placed it on the counter.
“I was going to give this to you eventually.”
My heartbeat changed.
“Eventually?”
She nodded.
“After Clara passed away, Ethan came to see me.”
I felt my jaw tighten.
“What did he say?”
“He told me there were changes happening in the company.”
“Changes?”
“He said some employees would need to accept temporary reductions.”
I stared at her.
“Temporary?”
June looked ashamed.
“I believed him.” Of course she had.
Why wouldn’t she?
He was my closest friend.
The man everyone trusted.
“He told me if I complained, I could lose my job.”
My hands tightened into fists.
“He threatened you.”
June didn’t respond.
She didn’t have to.
But then she said something I never expected.
