Chapter 1
I took my four nieces and nephews to Bluebell Grill, a family restaurant managed by my husband. As always, I kept a low profile–I didn’t tell anyone I was the real owner.
We ordered normally and paid about $100. But one of the kids was still hungry and went to ask for a free bread refill–something clearly stated on the menu as complimentary.
What we didn’t expect was the cashier snapping with a venomous bark.
“You broke or what? One basket of bread for five people? You think this place is a charity? If you can’t afford to eat, then get the hell out. Don’t come here and disgust me!”
My seven–year–old nephew froze in fear, eyes wide, lips trembling, too terrified to speak.
I stepped up and shielded him. “Excuse me? Your sign says refills are free. We paid, and it’s within the policy. What’s the problem? Go get your manager.”
The cashier scoffed, crossing her arms and flashing a smug smile.
“I am the manager. I’m the boss’s wife. Sure, we offer free bread refills–but that doesn’t mean your whole damn family gets to sponge off one plate.”
She sneered as she looked us over, her voice rising.
“Women like you, popping out kids like some farm animal, and now you can’t even afford to feed them. Embarrassing yourselves in public–pathetic.”
I let out a low laugh. She thought she was the boss’s wife? Who the hell did she think I was?
Before I could call Nathan, my husband, she was already dialing with one hand on her hip and a fake pout in her voice. “Honey, come quick–there’s a bunch of shameless freeloaders at the diner. You need to come deal with them right now.”
After hanging up, she turned back around and looked me up and down with even more disdain.
“Let me guess–your baby daddy’s dead, right? you drag four kids into my restaurant and expect a free ride? What a joke. You clearly have no shame, no pride–disgracing your whole damn family.”
Her voice was loud and sharp, attracting curious glances from every table nearby.
my sweater and started to cry.
My four–year–old niece, startled by the commotion, grabbed the hem of my sweater.
The other kids were too young to understand the full insult, but they were old enough to sense the humiliation. They looked down at their shoes, frightened into silence.
I stared her down coldly. “Then let’s wait for your husband to show up. He’ll know if my husband is alive or not.”
The last time I visited this place was three months ago. Back then, the cashier was a young man. I had never seen this woman before- she must’ve been hired recently.
But what caught my eye was the pendant hanging around her neck.
A cross pendant the same one my mother had spent half a month praying for at Bailey Creek Chapel, walking barefoot and bruised, after Nathan’s climbing accident nearly left him in a vegetative state five years ago.
I remembered that time vividly. The doctors didn’t think he’d make it. I was falling apart, and my mom, terrified I wouldn’t survive the grief, went on a pilgrimage for that pendant.
Nathan had cried like a child when he received it. Told me he would never let me down. That he’d cherish my mother like his own. That he’d wear the pendant close to his heart forever.
Chapter 1
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He never let me borrow it–not even for a day.
And now it was dangling on the chest of a stranger.
“You really don’t get it, do you?” a younger waitress sneered at me. “Apologize to Miss Monroe right now!”
She was barely out of college, clearly riding the coattails of the woman beside her like a little lapdog trying to stay in the queen’s good
graces.
“Auntie Tiffany, don’t waste your breath on her,” she said sweetly to the woman. “She’s not worth it. Once Uncle’s here, he’ll put her in her place.”
As soon as she finished, several other employees surrounded us. All unfamiliar faces. The entire staff had been replaced. And every one of them looked at me like I was some street rat.
“You’re not bad–looking,” one of them spat. “If you’re that desperate for food, go whore yourself out. This is a real business, not some free buffet for sluts like you.”
