Page 56 of Mob Boss's Second Chance

“Okay,” I say aloud, nodding firmly. “You do this now. You walk up to Anthony, and you tell him you’re quitting. It’s the end of the month, and he’s given you enough to cover your salary already.”

It would be nice to have the extra cash, but I doubt it’ll come from someone with his head high up in the clouds.

It’s probably a good thing, though. He’ll be too cooked up to question my decision, either.

Just like that, the switch in my head flips too. I stare at the groceries and curl my lip. “They can feed themselves.”

With a loudhmph,I storm out of the kitchen, intending to seek out Anthony in his bedroom, when I see him coming from the living room.

He looks horrible—like the sunlight met him at a bad time. Not even the shades over his eyes mask the exhaustion in his slumped shoulders.

“Natalie?” He calls my name and manages a smile. “I’ve missed you. Where have you been all this time?”

For a second, I’m tempted to feel sympathy, but I quickly push it away. “I’m quitting,” I say.

Anthony takes off his glasses, exposing his blood-red eyes. He blinks slowly like he’s having a hard time processing my words. “You’re quitting? Why? You don’t like working here? Did I?” he gasps, patting his pockets. “Did I forget to pay you for the week?”

“No,” I shake my head. “It’s not that. I… I have other obligations to attend to. I was going to give you a heads-up, but you haven’t been home in a while.”

He sighs resignedly. “I guess you’re right. I’ve been out and about, handling things. That’s why. Can I persuade you to stay?”

He gives me a pout that would’ve worked weeks ago. Now, I just feel sorry for him.

“I’m sorry,” I say, keeping my tone muted so hethinksI feel bad about leaving. “Maybe after I’m done with stuff? I’ll be willing to help out with events and other things.”

Anthony seems to have forgotten about his sadness over my decision because he smiles brightly—too bright.

“Sure. You can see yourself out, yeah?” He yawns and rubs his eyes. “I’ve had a long night. I need to sleep.”

I nod and hurry past him, but as I get closer to the door, I can’t help but ask—I haven’t seen Mr. Cross around. I know it’s not my place, but is anything wrong?”

My question triggers something unpleasant in Anthony, and his expression turns sour. “My cousin doesn’t live here… of course not,” he mutters to himself. “He thinks that he’s better than me, so why should he be around his disgraceful cousin?”

My eyebrows arch, and my ears perk up as I overhear his soliloquy. I don’t say anything, though…because what do I say?

Anthony’s eyes sharpen all of a sudden as he fixes me with a suspicious stare. “Is that why you’re leaving? Because Ethan isn’t around? He’s not your boss, is he?” His tone is edgy, like he’s spoiling for an argument.

I’m not giving it to him.

“No,” I reply hastily. “Not at all. You hired me, Mr. Cross. I only asked because—because I was curious. I overstepped my boundaries. I’m sorry.”

He relaxes again, shoving one hand into his pocket. “Good. Because Ethan doesn’t care about anyone but himself. I know he changed towards you, but that’s because I begged him to.” His tone is laid back, yet his words cut me deep. “He’s self-centered and your absence wouldn’t register to him at all.”

I blink rapidly, caught between a throat tingle and confusion.

Is he deliberately trying to hurt me?

He mutters something under his breath before turning and walking away, leaving me frozen in place.

My chest tightens, and my grip on my bag loosens, the effects of his words pressing down on me like a vise. I should move.

I should leave before the reality of it all sinks in too deep—but one thought echoes louder than the rest.

Ethan never cared about me. He was only ever kind because Anthony asked him to be.

All this time, I let myself believe in something that never existed. I let myself get caught between the illusion and the truth when I should have been focused on the latter. I should have been smarter, more guarded—more careful about blurring the lines between reality and delusion.

A sob claws at my throat, but I choke it down, refusing to let it win.

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