“You’re right.
Now tell me about your young man.” “He’s wonderful. I think I’m really falling for him.”
“Slow down,” Mrs. Hayes said. “Men can surprise you, and not always in a good way.” “He’s not like that. He’s dependable. I’m going to his mother’s birthday gathering this weekend.”
All Saturday, Elena fussed in front of the mirror. She splurged on a beautiful cocktail dress and did her hair carefully. At exactly four o’clock, the doorbell rang.
Mike stood there holding a large bouquet of white flowers. The closer they got to the house, the more nervous Elena became. The event was technically private, but it was still large and polished.
Photographers moved around the lawn, covering the social lives of local business families. “Take a breath,” Mike said. “These are her favorite flowers.
You can give them to her.” “My knees are shaking,” Elena admitted. “What if I don’t fit in?” “You’ll be fine. You’ll outshine half the room. Come on.”
They headed toward the buffet tables. Servers moved through the crowd with trays of appetizers. Then Elena spotted a familiar face.
It was the same man from the mayor’s office. She walked straight toward him. “Do you sleep well at night,” she said clearly, “knowing you’re helping shut down a hospital for money?”
“Miss, come with me,” said the hostess of the evening, stepping in before the exchange could escalate. They went inside. “Please, sit.”
Elena lowered herself onto a leather sofa. “I’m Natalie,” the woman said. “Mike’s mother.” “Elena,” she said. “And I work at the hospital you’re trying to erase. Doesn’t that bother you?” “My dear, I’m only the investor.
Mike is running the project as CEO.” Elena felt the floor drop out from under her. “You didn’t know?” Natalie asked. “He didn’t tell you?”
“No,” Elena said quietly. “Take a look.” Natalie opened a safe, pulled out a folder, and tossed it onto the table.
“That’s his signature on the demolition authorization for the luxury development. Strange that he forgot to mention it. Then again, with as many women as he’s had, maybe details blur together.” Elena sat frozen.
Then she stood, handed Natalie the bouquet, and said, “Happy birthday.” She walked out to the yard in a daze. At the gate, Mike caught up with her.
“Where are you going? Wait.” “Don’t touch me. You knew all along, and you let me walk into this blind. I trusted you.” “I was forced to sign,” Mike said. “I was trying to find the right time to explain—” “I don’t want to know you.” Elena walked out through the gate.
Mike didn’t follow. His mother was calling him back to the guests. He stood there, motionless. Elena tried to call a cab.
There was no signal. So she started walking. A media van pulled over beside her.
“Need a ride?” the driver asked through the window. “Yes, thank you.”
It turned out to be a crew from the event. During the drive, Elena sat in the corner listening to their cynical chatter. From their gossip, she gathered that Mike had a reputation as a local playboy.
By the time she got home to her cramped apartment, she was numb. She collapsed onto the bed without even changing. Julie came in soon after.
“Well, that’s some dress,” Julie said. “Julie, please. Not now.” “What happened? Fairy tale over? I told you he only wanted one thing.”
“Leave me alone.” Elena turned to the wall and fell into a heavy sleep still wearing her makeup. In the morning, she pulled on her scrubs and headed to work.
Her phone kept ringing. Mike was calling over and over, trying to explain. Elena blocked his number.
When she got to the hospital, she found a crowd in the hallway. Staff members were talking in angry voices, and several palliative patients were gathered there too, confused and upset. “What’s going on?” she asked. One nurse turned away.
Another hissed, “You really think we’re stupid? We believed you were fighting for us.” “Will someone tell me what happened?” “Here.” A coworker shoved a phone toward her.
A tabloid site had already published photos of Elena with Mike at the party. The conclusion everyone had drawn was obvious. “So while we were all here trying to save this place,” one nurse said, “you were out partying with the developer. Nice.”
Elena walked on unsteady legs to the wing that was about to be closed. Mrs. Hayes was reading the same story on a tablet. She had heard the rumors too.
Elena sank onto a stool. “I can see you know,” she said quietly. “What am I supposed to do now?” “Oh, honey.
He turned out to be exactly what I warned you about. You were right to trust your instincts. Pretty words don’t mean much.
What about you? Where will you go?” “Don’t worry about me. I’ve got my parents’ old house out in the country. It’s not much, but it’s livable.
I’ll plant a garden.” “I’m so sorry,” Elena said. “I let everyone down.” “Nonsense.
You did more than anyone could have expected. Why don’t you come with me? It’ll be easier for both of us.” Elena looked at her with desperate hope. The idea of leaving all this behind felt like oxygen.
“What about my degree?
