Chapter 5: Rachel Moves In

***

The next morning, as I got up, Rachel arrived, dragging her designer suitcase. So, not just a tutor—she was moving in. I nodded at her, instructing the housekeeper to prepare a guest room. Then turned to the kitchen to make celery juice for Caleb.

Her suitcase rolled noisily across the tile, breaking the early morning quiet. I caught the housekeeper’s sympathetic look, but said nothing.

She tilted her head, smiling at me. "Hey, Lillian, Jason said I’ll be in the guest room next to Caleb, hope that’s cool."

The words felt like a punch. The kitchen smelled sharp and green. I gripped the celery so hard the stalks snapped, wishing I could snap this day in half too. My voice sounded far away: “Okay.”

The juicer buzzed harshly. Celery fibers tangled around the blades, like a stubborn green knot.

I focused on the sound, the vibration in my hands, anything to avoid looking at Rachel.

"Oh, by the way, Jason said Caleb’s bedroom needs redecorating." She traced her finger along the counter, leaving a sticky trail in the vegetable juice. "He said the room next to the kids’ room gets the best sunlight—perfect for me."

That room was filled with Caleb’s sensory training equipment. And the tactile blanket I sewed by hand.

I remembered every hour I spent sewing those textured patches, hoping they’d bring Caleb comfort on nights he couldn’t sleep.

[Why bother with the guest room? In three days, the drunk male lead will tear the main character’s silk nightgown.]

[Isn’t that when the supporting character leaves? Then her family will arrange her next marriage.]

The comments churned in my mind, louder than the juicer. They made it sound inevitable, like there was no way for me to win.

I suddenly turned off the juicer and looked at Rachel. The kitchen fell silent. Rachel took half a step back. After a moment, I said, “Miss Evans, do as you please. I’ll go check on Caleb.” Then turned and went upstairs.

I didn’t look back to see her reaction. My feet moved faster than my thoughts, desperate for escape.