She held in a groan at the sound of her mother’s voice. She had dinner with her mother and stepfather once a month and they rarely talked outside of that. She must need something. But learning what that was held zero appeal, especially with all the work she had to do. “Mother, I can’t make it. I’m only leaving the office now.”

“Early, isn’t it? Anyway, I need to discuss something with you. Get here.”

Before she could decline again, her mother had hung up. She sighed and rested her head in her hands. Dinner with the folks. Joy. Seemed all her meals were destined to be a disaster that day.

She raised her head to a knock at her door. “Need anything else, Ms. Jacobs?”

“No, Ash. I’m heading out now. My mother has demanded my presence at dinner.” Ash’s eyebrows lifted, but they remained silent. “I’ll see you tomorrow at seven.”

“Seven?”

Jill shoved papers in her bag and slung it over her shoulder. “Yes, seven. There’s way too much to get done. Is that a problem, Ash? Do I need to find someone else to do the very basic task of showing up and doing their job?”

Ash straightened. “No. Seven sounds great.”

Jill walked past Ash. “Lock up when you leave.”

Chapter Three

Driving through the gate of her parents’ driveway always filled Jill with a sense of dread. Growing up, her parents pushed her to be the best, yet never praised her when she attained the top spot at a competition, test, or promotion. She had hoped things would have changed as she got older, but the chill she felt from her family only deepened.

Her mother’s housekeeper answered the door within seconds of her knock. “Welcome, Ms. Jacobs. Your mother is waiting in the dining room.”

Jill threw a stiff, “Thank you, Nadine,” over her shoulder as she brushed past her and down the hallway into the dining room.

Her mother looked up from pouring herself three fingers of whiskey. “Jillian. Finally. I’ve been waiting forever.”

“Mother, it’s only ten til eight. I told you I was just leaving. As much as I wish I could, I can’t magically appear somewhere when I snap my fingers.”

“Enough of your attitude. Now sit.” She looked over her shoulder at Nadine, who was waiting by the doorway to the kitchen. “Start serving.” With a quick nod, she disappeared into the kitchen.

As Nadine returned and placed salads in front of them, Jill asked, “What’s so important that I needed to be here tonight?” She took a brief look at the chair across from her mother. “Where’s Douglas?”

“Your father—”

“Stepfather.”

“Your father had to work late.”

More like screw his new assistant, Jill thought.

“Plus, it’s good that he’s not here. What I need to discuss concerns him.”

“Are you finally divorcing him?”