Chapter 4

Only after hearing her daughter say that did Belinda Lambert finally set her mind at ease, chatting away with her daughter and son-in-law about where they'd go to eat.

Anna's voice turned sweet and eager.

"Mom, you've been up all night playing cards lately. You've gotten so thin."

"Let me take you to that upscale new place downtown. The food there's healthy, good for you. Perfect for building you back up."

Belinda nodded, pleased.

"Good, good. I always said it. You're the one who really takes care of me."

Once they'd settled it, Anna walked straight over to the kitchen, leaned half of herself in through the doorway, and gave me my instructions.

"Mom, Clyde and I are taking his mother out to eat. Don't forget to lock up the restaurant, and come in early tomorrow to prep."

"We've got a dozen tables booked for a graduation party tomorrow, and I've already taken the deposits. Whatever you do, don't be late."

I answered flatly. "All right."

And just like that, the three of them walked out of the restaurant, laughing and talking.

The moment the door clicked shut, the place went completely still.

Just me, standing alone at the stove in the back kitchen.

I didn't clean up the way they'd told me to. The first thing I did was walk over to the surveillance unit and quietly cut the power to every camera.

Then I walked slowly back to the stove.

Looking at the spotless kitchen, three years flickered past in my mind, one scene after another, like a film.

I thought of the empty farmers' market at half past four in the morning.

I thought of my eyes, red year-round from the smoke and grease.

I thought of the days and nights I'd poured into this place until customers lined up at the door.

And then I thought of the three of them just now, fining me in front of everyone over a bottle of cola, pointing fingers at me.

I stood there a long time before I slowly drew out my phone and dialed a number I hadn't called in ages.

"I need you to do something for me."

Once I'd gone over everything with the person on the other end, I left the restaurant.

That night, I didn't go back to the rented room near the restaurant.

Instead, I boarded the overnight express train home.

On the train, I saw that Belinda had posted something new online.

A selfie of herself at the restaurant, captioned:

"My daughter-in-law's so good to me, insisted on treating me to something nice. Some people are just born lucky, can't fight it."

I quietly gave it a like.

Yes.

You really are born lucky.

I just wondered whether you'd be able to bear the luck that came after this.

A few hours later, I was back in my hometown.

I took a nice long hot shower, then fell into a deep sleep.

Early the next morning, I was jolted awake by my phone ringing, sharp and urgent.

I picked it up and looked. It was Anna.

The moment I answered, I heard her crying, frantic and panicked.

"Mom, where did you go? Something terrible has happened at the restaurant!"