Chapter 10 Have You No Shame?
Emma's POV
I heard whispers as I approached the group of employees outside the building. Four women from accounting huddled together, their voices dropping as they noticed me.
"Did you see Mr. Reynolds' reaction?" one whispered. "That baby has to be his."
"Classic rich guy move," another replied.
They froze when I came within earshot, their faces turning mortified. I met their gazes with a cool stare.
"If you have this much free time, maybe the quarterly reports need attention," I said evenly.
They scattered. Who doesn't talk behind others' backs, and who isn't talked about?
I spotted Tom, the intern who'd been driving the SUV. He looked pale, his badge hanging crookedly.
"Ms. Garcia," he stammered. "I swear I didn't mean to—"
"What happened?" I kept my voice calm. "Tell me everything."
"She just ran in front of the car... I only got my license last month... I couldn't stop in time..."
"Don't worry," I reassured him. "There are security cameras. If she ran out, the footage will show it."
His relief was obvious. "Thank you, Ms. Garcia!"
"Go home, Tom. We'll handle this tomorrow. Try to get some rest."
As he left, I called Rachel. "Sophia got hit by a car. Gavin took her to the hospital. They'll probably end up in your department."
"Why do you care?" Rachel asked.
"The driver was a company intern. I don't want him getting in trouble unnecessarily."
As I drove away, I watched Reynolds Tower shrink in my rearview mirror, my jaw set with determination.
The next afternoon, I walked into Boston Home Collection, planning to buy essentials for moving back to my parents' apartment. I needed a fresh start.
"Welcome, Ms. Garcia!" The assistant greeted me. "Are you here to look at samples for the resort project?"
"No, just personal shopping today."
As I rounded a display, I heard a familiar voice and stopped.
"This shade is too vibrant," Sophia was saying. "I need something more subdued. Deep like the ocean."
"Is this your husband's preference?" the designer replied.
Sophia caressed the bedding. "No, it's for... a special friend."
She turned and saw me, her expression freezing.
"Emma! What a coincidence..."
"Mrs. Reynolds," I said calmly. "I see yesterday's collision left no lasting effects?"
Sophia's face softened to fragility. "The doctor said I was lucky... the baby is fine, but I need to rest more."
I glanced at the expensive bedding. "Your idea of 'rest' seems elaborate."
"The doctor suggested creating a comfortable environment to reduce stress."
"Of course," I smiled thinly. "That deep blue is beautiful. It has such a... familiar feel."
Her eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"
"Nothing. Just that Gavin particularly favors that shade. Quite the coincidence, isn't it?"
Sophia tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "I don't know what you're implying, Emma."
"I'm curious," I said, looking at her. "Yesterday you needed Gavin to carry you to medical care, yet today you're shopping for luxury bedding?"
"Are you spying on me?" she shot back.
I laughed softly. "No need for surveillance, Sophia. Your performance has been quite conspicuous."
"I don't know what you're talking about," she said, voice tight.
"I think you do. Yesterday's 'accident,' today's 'coincidental' shopping—carefully orchestrated, aren't they?"
Her expression hardened. "You always imagine people have designs on your fiancé."
"Ex-fiancé," I corrected. "Gavin and I are over."
Surprise flickered across her face. "What did you say?"
We ended up at the checkout counter together, an awkward silence between us.
"Mrs. Reynolds, please swipe your card or provide an account number," the cashier prompted.
Sophia pulled out a black credit card I recognized as Gavin's.
"Thank you," the cashier said. "Mr. Reynolds' account has been charged."
I laughed softly. "So that's your 'special friend'? You're using your brother-in-law's card directly?"
Sophia tucked the card away. "This is none of your business, Emma."
"Of course not," I replied. "I'm just surprised by how dependent you are on your late husband's brother."
"At least I know how to make a man willingly provide for me," she snapped.
"You couldn't keep him for five years," she smirked. "What does that say about you?"
Though her words stung, I kept my composure. "The end of a relationship doesn't mean someone wasn't good enough."
"Gavin needs a real woman, not a working machine," she taunted.
"You seem to know his needs quite well. How long have you been so close? Before or after Lucas died?"
She smiled smugly. "Time doesn't matter, depth does."
"Whose child is it, Sophia? Lucas's or Gavin's?" I asked pointedly.
Her face paled. "How dare you!" She grabbed her bags and stormed off.
That evening, I dialed Rick Wilson, Gavin's best friend. "Rick, are you at the club? I need to talk."
"Emma?" He sounded surprised. "What's wrong?"
"I need to understand the relationship between Gavin, Lucas, and Sophia."
"Why are you asking about this now?"
"Because I don't believe this is simply a 'brother's widow' situation."
"Not over the phone. Come to the club."
At the Beacon Hill Tennis Club, Rick was finishing a match when I arrived.
As we played, I asked, "Were Gavin and Sophia close before she married Lucas?"
Rick's racket faltered. "Absolutely not. Sophia only had eyes for Lucas. Gavin always thought she was too calculating."
"Then why is he so special to her now? He even lets her use his card."
Rick stopped, serious. "Gavin was there when Lucas died. He's felt responsible since."
I was stunned. "What does that have to do with Sophia?"
"I don't know, but if Gavin is giving Sophia special treatment, he must have reasons."
"Tomorrow was supposed to be our wedding registration day," I said quietly.
Rick looked surprised. "You're still getting married?"
"We broke up. I ended it," I said.