Page 94 of Sweetest Revenge

“You’re welcome to come,” I said with a slight smile. “After you pass the background check, that is.”

He straightened his head, jerking back, and hastily put the card into his pocket, his eyes searching back and forth to make sure no one saw.

“Oh no; it’s not my thing.”

Liar. His interest was obvious.

“Think about it.”

“I’ll call you if there’s an issue with the payment,” he said.

Both our heads swiveled to the door as Addi stepped outside.

Her shoulders were straight, her head high, but there was an air of sadness around her. She was trying so hard to keep it together. Even as her eyes reddened with the effort it took to hold back the tears, she still did.

She’s stronger than I ever thought.

Her mother got on my nerves. How could she do this? I had wondered how the house I saved for them ended up with a lien on it, but now I knew.

I should have just bought it for them. Something I’d rectify immediately. But first, Addi.

She looked at the doctor and gave him an almost embarrassed smile.

“About the insurance?—”

“Focus on your mom,” he said, raising his hand to stop her. “That’s what’s important.”

When she looked down, tears welling in her eyes again, he gave me a meaningful look. Both of us, while so very different, wanted to help Addi in any way we could.

That’s what life was like with Addi. She pulled you in. Made you care about her. The light that seemed to shine from inside her even in the darkest times became the most important thing.

At least for me.

“Let’s let her get some rest,” I said and wrapped my arm around Addi’s shoulders. She leaned into me, something so small, but it had pride soaring through me. “The nurses will take care of her, and I’m sure someone can keep her company in the meantime.”

Addi didn’t need to be her mother’s caretaker. Not now. Not after what she said.

I felt for the woman. She obviously went through a lot. But I still couldn’t get over how she had treated her daughter this way. How she had ruined their lives.

At the end of it all, though, I blamed myself.

I wasn’t thorough enough. I didn’t check in on them as much as I should have.

I thought distancing myself was for the best, but now I was starting to realize it was possibly the worst decision I could have made.

I had grown since I first started this venture. I thought more about the families and employees now, making sure they were protected even after shit hit the fan.

If there was anything this time with Addi taught me, it was that even after years of experience, I had so much to learn and even more to make up for.

Addi froze, her head raising. Panic flashed across her face.

“I don’t think she wants anyone to see her like this. Maybe I should stay?—”

“We will keep her company,” the doctor said, a caring smile spreading across his face. “She will likely need a lot more sleep anyway. Contrary to popular belief, you still wake up tired. If she needs anything, we’ll call you.”

His words were enough for Addi to relax just enough to lean back into my touch. My heart constricted in my chest.

I didn’t want Addi to feel this way.

---