Page 38 of No Way Forward

“It’s right here. I couldn’t help seeing it when I was shopping online.” She stabbed at the tablet’s screen and turned it to face Novette.

Sure enough, the news report showed a picture of her inside the car with four men, including her dad. She looked pale and terrified, and she wondered when the photographer had the chance to take her picture.

“Ugh, I look a mess. Who took this? Let me read the report.”

“Why do you need to read it? It’s about that shooting at the restaurant. Do you realize Richard could have been killed?”

“Not me though?”

Her friend reached across the table to touch her hand. “Of course I’m worried about you. But I’m saying, they were obviously after your dad.”

“Is that what it says?”

“More or less.” Azalie frowned at the report as she read. “They have his name and yours. I don’t remember ever seeing your face in the news.”

“It hasn’t been, not since I was a little kid.

Someone did a report on my dad back then and brought out the fact that he adopted me as a baby.” Novette tried to remember the details and failed. She wasn’t interested at the time, but she knew her dad had done everything he could to keep her face from being recognized. He’d said it was the best way to keep her safe.

That ship had sailed. Everybody and his brother could recognize her now. Her heart sank as she considered the implications. This happened right after she spoke with Zaid about running away and him saying it was too risky. She’d told him she hid for five years and no one bothered her until he found her.

He’s not involved, Novette. Don’t let your mind go down the wrong track.

She dismissed the thought as soon as it materialized. Zaid had no interest in keeping her with her dad to get an inheritance. He wouldn’t arrange to put her in danger so she would eventually be recognizable and therefore too afraid to run off again.

Azalie complained about the report, and Novette turned her suspicions to her old friend. She couldn’t put it past Azalie to scheme and plot, but since she was genuinely jealous of Novette’s media attention it stood to reason the woman hadn’t arranged that part.

What am I thinking? Would she sink that low?

Novette was under no illusions about Azalie’s petty and selfish nature, but she didn’t think Azalie hated her. Jealous yes. That much was obvious. Azalie’s feelings didn’t bother Novette until that moment.

“Would you get over it?” Novette snapped. “If you were a real friend, you would be worried about me. No, you’re too busy being scared my dad’s money will disappear if he gets hurt.”

Azalie’s mouth fell open. Novette ground her teeth. She hadn’t meant to blurt that out.

Azalie jumped to her feet. “I can’t believe you’re saying that to me. I’ve been your friend for most of our lives.”

“No, you’ve been—” Novette tried to bite her tongue and failed. “You stopped being a friend a long time ago, and you and I both know it. Did you think I was so naïve I didn’t notice?”

Azalie tried for one of her fake laughs, but her eyes glittered with anger. “Don’t be silly, Vette. You know I love you. You’re like a sister to me, and Richard’s like my own dad.”

“Oh really? That’s funny because I remember telling you how much I hate being called ‘Vette,’ but you keep doing it.”

“I don’t remember,” she lied.

“Yes, you do, but you decided to do it anyway because you know I hate it. That’s how you are, Azalie. Well, I’ve had enough. Yesterday was one of the scariest days of my life, and I don’t want to deal with your fake crap. Go home!”

“You don’t mean that.” A crocodile tear rolled down her cheek.

Novette shut her eyes and pressed fingers to her forehead. “Go.”

When Azalie didn’t speak for a moment, Novette expected her to quietly slink out of the dining room. After a good two minutes, Azalie laughed.

“I see what’s happening.” The cheery note in Azalie’s voice grated on Novette’s nerves. “You’re so upset, you’re lashing out. Say no more, my friend. I get it. I’m going to go home and give you some space. Then when you’re feeling better, we’ll go shopping. I’ll call you later.”

With that statement, Azalie vacated the room. Novette took some time to process the ridiculousness she had just heard and then looked up. She found Beau sitting beside, her nabbing a slice of bacon from her plate. Azalie had gone and left her daughter.

This woman! She doesn’t deserve you, baby.

---