Gwen lifted the cup and tipped its contents into the nearby planting bed. “Now you are.” She set the cup down with barely a click, and Vivian wasn’t so cool anymore.

“That coffee cost ten cents!”

“Are you expecting me to pay for it?” Gwen asked. “I won’t.”

Vivian stood, her eyes narrowed. “But you’re so good at paying for things,” she said, hostility beginning to crack her voice.

Zeke immediately stepped between them. “Let’s settle down,” he said. “Miss Chastain, it’s true. Mr. Blackstone is on his way, so you ought to leave if you want to keep your job here.”

Vivian’s expression did not waver as she glared at Gwen. “Did you buy him too? Poor Gwen only has friends who are on her payroll. Maybe someday you can buy yourself another husband.”

“Shut up,” Gwen said. She managed to keep her tone quiet, but her fists instinctively clenched. “Shut up and leave.”

Vivian turned away and collected her handbag. It was a pricey one, lavishly embellished with seed pearls and a gold clasp. It was surely a gift from Jasper. Before leaving, Vivian leaned in for a final barb.

“He loved me,” she whispered. “He always loved me, even on the day he walked down the aisle with you.”

Gwen remained motionless as Vivian departed, hoping Zeke didn’t sense her mortification.

“I don’t know why you tolerate that woman,” Zeke said, holding out a chair for Gwen.

She sat. “We all have our crosses to bear. Mine is named Vivian Chastain.”

“You could have her fired. The college doesn’t even teach music anymore, but you found her a position in the accounting office.”

It was the ultimate irony. Blackstone College had been established to pursue excellence in scientific research, but Jasper had always pushed for the addition of a music department, claiming there was an intersection between mathematics and music. Vivian was their first hire to teach classes in piano.

During those early years, Gwen had no idea Vivian was Jasper’s mistress. How many times had she welcomed Vivian into her home for her Friday night soirees? Even after Gwen learned the truth, she still fought to maintain a façade of domestic harmony.

Then Jasper died, and the music department soon closed. It was never a good fit for Blackstone College, but Gwen found a position for Vivian in the accounting office. Did that woman even know what Gwen had done on her behalf? Would she be less nasty if she did?

“I don’t want her fired,” she said in a gloomy voice. “There is a child to consider.”