“It’s nothing bad,” she assures me, rubbing a protective hand over her belly. “Landon’s been following the paper trail of Jerome’s off-the-book dealings. Turns out, Oliver is his accountant.”

The illegal gambling party Jerome hosted during Ford’s month filters through my mind, and understanding clicks into place.

“So Landon’s still planning to take him down.” I arch a brow. “And Oliver’s helping him?”

“I think so.” Her tone drops a notch, more cautious now. “He hasn’t shared details, but if Oliver’s involved, there’s more to this than speculation. Landon wouldn’t bring him in unless he saw value.”

“You’re probably right.”

“Speaking of Oliver,” she says, shifting in her seat, “he’s planning a spa day for the two of us tomorrow. Facials, waxing, the whole deal.” Elise laughs softly. “Though I’m not sure how the tech will find my lady bits under this belly.”

That makes me smile.

And then I want to cry.

Of course Oliver wants me plucked and feathered for the perverts in his secret society.

The trip to the States is only days away, and the thought of getting on a plane again blasts me in the chest. Suddenly I’m choking on air.

I don’t know whether I’m panicking, crying, or both.

“Novalee?” Elise’s voice cuts through the noise as she rises with effort.

“Don’t get up,” I say, raising a hand. “I’m okay.”

But she ignores me, crosses the space with determination, and pulls me from my chair. Then she folds me into her arms, and as comfort tugs at my broken pieces, I fall apart again.

No warning or control.

Just the wreckage of grief breaking loose.

I cling to her, my shoulders shaking with each ragged sob.

“Oh, Novalee,” she whispers. “I’m so sorry.”

We stand there for what feels like forever, her embrace rooting me to the present.

With a loud sniffle, I step back. “I didn’t mean to cry all over you.”

“I’m here for you, whether you need to laugh, cry, or scream.”

“I suppose a trip to the village is a good place to start, then we’ll go from there.”

Tomorrow won’t magically fix me, but maybe a spa day with Elise will be a step in the right direction…

A small reminder that life still exists beyond these circular walls.

17

The spa day leaves me glowing, my complexion as silken as moonlight on water. Despite Oliver’s hand in the arrangement, it was good to reconnect with Elise. Between pampering treatments, we talked about everything and nothing. I even surprised myself by laughing out loud when she said the baby moves like a trapped creature. Watching the kicks ripple across her belly, I couldn’t help but giggle.

For a little while, I almost felt like myself again.