Her Silent Revenge novel Chapter 107

"I'm really sorry to pull you away like this," Evelyn says as soon as the door's closed. She smooths down her dress. "The thing is, well… I've been talking to Archer and he's great, but I wanted to speak with you about the property."

My blood drops a few degrees.

Is she going to back out? That would be surprising, knowing how much she wants this to go ahead, but in business you can't take anything for granted.

"Of course. What's on your mind?"

She hesitates, her eyes flicking away from me to the window.

"Oh, it's all so embarrassing, but the offer—the payment schedule, I mean—it's all so generous." She gives me a pained smile.

"I'm sensing there's another but coming, so let's hear it," I urge.

"Yes, well… I'm afraid it just isn't going to cut it, even with the incredibly kind renovation investment you've offered. See, that would do it for the pilot property, but for me?" She sighs and then clears her throat loudly, clasping her hands tightly. "Please don't think ill of me—though I won't blame you if you do. I have debts, Patton. Little things I thought I could manage that just kept snowballing hungry monsters. Walt's medical bills, they put me in a bad place, and—" She clears her throat, wincing. "Lord knows I've tried to make it work. I've tried a thousand times, but the numbers just don't add up and there's never enough money."

Oh, shit.

I guess I should've seen this coming. I nod firmly, keeping my face neutral.

She grabs my hands then, digging her fingers into the meat of my palms.

"Please don't tell Delly, dear? If she ever found out, I'd die."

"No, Evelyn. Your secret's safe with me," I say, wondering how it came to this. Yes, I'm the brother who agreed to hear her out and who got the ball rolling, but we make decisions about the company as a team.

If she's coming to me because I seem like the softer one, she's right. Archer wouldn't agree to commit another dollar to this experiment.

In fact, I'm surprised he agreed to the upfront investments at all. Any big profits we make off this will be far down the line, if they materialize at all.

"Forgive me. I know this is awkward," she whispers, her voice shrinking with every word. "And I'm dreadfully sorry for springing this on you tonight. The thing is, now Delly's greenhouse is almost ready for spring, and I need to get back home soon."

"Sure, I figured you would."

She sighs, her eyes glassy and distant.

But her smile fades a second later.

"I must ask again, you wouldn't mind keeping this between us, would you? The others, I'm not sure they'd understand. And poor Delly, you know how she is! She'll start giving away your inheritance if she thinks I'm in trouble."

"Already done," I say. "How much do you need?"

"Oh, not too much, I hope. Although…" She hesitates, wincing again, sucking her thin cheek into her mouth awkwardly. Her skin seems so slack it makes a flapping sound.

"Evelyn, come on. I deal with big figures all the time. Don't be afraid." "Yes, I know it's just a few—well—"

"Is twenty thousand enough?" I pull out my wallet and my checkbook.

She stares at me. "Forty?" Again, that pained smile.

I try not to sigh, unsure if I'm feeling bad for her or legitimately surprised she needs so much for living expenses.