Three Jobs for Me, Millions for Her? Fine, I Quit This Family Chapter 06
The next second, the phone slipped from her hand and hit the floor with a dull thud.
Mom collapsed, as if all her bones had been removed.
She buried her face in her hands, her body shaking with deep, ragged sobs.
“So she left because she knows.”
“She knows what we did. She doesn’t want me anymore.”
Richard knelt beside her, pulling her into his arms, but his
own eyes were bloodshot and filled with panic.
He picked up his phone, his voice shaking.
Find her. Use every resource we have.”
“File a missing persons report.”
Put up flyers. Hire more investigators.”
“I don’t care about the cost. Find my daughter.”
One week, two weeks, a month passed.
They checked every camera feed, filed reports with the local
police, and plastered missing person posters across the tri–state area.
The corporate hotline was flooded with hundreds of calls, but
every lead turned out to be a dead end.
I had completely erased her existence.
Six months later.
The bell above the door of a quiet bakery in Brooklyn chimed.
I was behind the counter, organizing the morning receipts.
Hearing the door, I looked up and flashed a polite, professional smile.
Welcome. What can I get for you today?”
The woman standing at the counter didn’t look at the menu.
Instead, she stared intently at my face, tears falling one by one onto the table.
Claire?” her voice cracked, trembling violently.
How did you get here? Do you know how long we’ve been looking for you?”
She pointed to the faded missing person poster taped to the
glass door of the shop.
*If you knew we were searching for you, why didn’t you call
us? Why did you hide?”
She reached across the counter, her hands shaking,
“Do you know how sick with worry I have been?”
I looked at her, my expression remaining completely neutral.
I picked up a paper box and continued packaging a pastry for
a pending order, my movements steady and efficient.
Before she could speak again, I pushed the boxed pastry forward.
Ma’am, your order is ready. There are other customers.
waiting behind you.
Please step aside so I can help them. Thank you.‘
Victoria blinked, stunned by my coldness.
She turned around, looking at the three people waiting in line.
She pulled out a thick stack of hundred–dollar bills from her purse and laid them on the counter.
I’m buying every single item in this bakery today. Everyone else, please leave. Now.”
The customers looked at the money, took their free pastries, and quickly walked out.
Once the shop was empty, Victoria turned back to me, her
eyes pleading. “Can we talk now, Claire?”
I adjusted my apron and looked at her.
“Talk about what?”
“I have dropped out of school and am working a
minimum–wage job, exactly as you wanted,” I said, my voice flat.
“I will never be a threat to Sophie’s future now. Why are you
still looking for me? Is my misery still not enough for you?”
Victoria flinched as if she had been struck.
“No, Claire, that’sn’t true. It wasn’t like that.”
Which part isn’t true?” I asked, looking her dead in the eye.
“The part where you drugged me before my exams?”
The part where you instructed Ryan Carter to harass me so I couldn’t graduate?”
Or the part where you used my identity to take out
thousands of dollars in predatory loans?”
Claire, I can explain all of that. Please, let me explain.”
No need,” I said, tapping the screen of the register.
Your total for buying out the inventory is twelve thousand,
seven hundred and fifty dollars. Cash or card?”
She stared at me, her heart breaking. “Claire…”
Cash or card, ma’am,” I repeated, my tone utterly professional.
“Card,” she whispered, her hands trembling as she handed over her black credit card.
processed the payment, printed the receipt, and began packing the rest of the cakes into large catering boxes.
I carried them out to her luxury SUV parked at the curb, placing them neatly in the trunk.
Once finished, I stood by her car door and offered a polite.
empty smile.
Thank you for your business. Have a wonderful day.”