The word ‘mistake’ was still ringing in Livia’s ears when she pulled back into Delores’ Florist shop. She felt heavy as she walked inside and approached Clara.

She turned, expression bright, then frowned with confusion. “Where’s Irene?”

“I left her,” Livia said.

“You left her?” Clara asked. “Livia, why would you do that?”

“I couldn’t listen to another word that came out of her mouth,” Livia clenched her fists at her side. “She kept telling me the entire time how Salina was better than me and deserved to have Corvin date her—”

“That’s a stupid reason to abandon a 14-year-old.”

“Technically, I left her with family. She’s Salina’s cousin,” Livia said.

“Livia,” Clara growled. “You are an adult. You don’t abandon a teenager! No matter what stupid thing they say! I can’t believe you! I’m going to get her. Stay here.”

Livia throbbed as Clara brushed past her. Irene’s words hurt her, but Clara’s scorn made a wave of shame and self-loathing wash over her.

Livia was stupid, and she was worthless. Why did she ever think someone like Corvin could like her? She let a fourteen-year-old get under her skin. Of course, this entire relationship with Corvin was a mistake. Livia’s entire existence was a mistake. An accidental pregnancy that kept two people who hated each other together for another five miserable years. Since then, she’d been a burden to her mother and excess baggage to her brother Hyrum.

Livia clutched her head with trembling hands to stop the torrent of awful thoughts, but they trampled all her attempts. Tears escaped her eyes, and she whimpered as she attempted to repress her sobs.

That was how Florian and Calvin found her.

“Liv?” Florian whispered. “What happened?”

Livia opened her mouth, and only sobs came out.

Calvin looked at Florian with worried eyes. “What do we do?”

“Where’s Irene?” Florian asked. “Is Irene okay?”

“I left her at TARP,” Livia managed. “Clara went to get her.”

“Why did you leave her?” Calvin asked.

“She was mean to me—” Livia knew how ridiculous this made her look. “Everything is a mistake. My family. Mistake. Corvin. Mistake. Mistake. Mistake.”

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

“Whoa,” Florian said. “Calm down. This isn’t that big a deal. Clara probably got all huffy on you, but Irene should learn there are consequences to making people upset. She’s an ass.”

“Yeah,” Calvin said. “She’s one of those Rattus that gets off on making people upset. She’s said things that have made me want to smack her.”

“Honestly,” Florian said. “Clara was probably glad she got to pawn Irene off on you for an afternoon. She’s mean to her too.”

“Delores will be angry,” Livia whispered.

Florian laughed. “Let me take care of this….”

He disappeared into Delores’ office and started talking. Livia’s eyes grew wide as he adeptly painted Irene as a spoiled brat who had forced Livia to leave her because she was being so bad.

Delores came out in a huff, saw the state Livia was in, and turned matronly. “Livia, I can’t believe that girl! What did she do?”

“I told her to stop talking to me about Corvin,” Livia said, trying to steady her emotions. Every three words came out on a shaky breath, but she managed to explain. “But she kept saying Corvin would realize what a mistake he was making not getting back together with Salina. That I was incompetent at everything— ”

Delores snorted. “You are one of the most competent women I’ve ever had a conversation with. That ridiculous child.”

This firm declaration repaired Livia’s emotions more than she thought possible. She stood up straighter and removed her hands from the top of her head.

Delores said, looking at Livia with compassion. “She must have been truly awful to make you that upset. That woman probably put her up to it.”

“That woman?” Livia asked.

“Salina,” Delores hissed. “So help me, that woman will not do her dirty work under my nose.”

Delores was in a rage by the time Irene walked in with Clara. She marched up to the teenager. “If you say one more word about Corvin during work hours, you’ll be fired. Consider this your only warning. I won’t tolerate this behavior. If you’ve grown up enough to say cruel things, you’re grown up enough to be punished for them.”

Irene’s eyes widened with surprise. “What?”

“You’ve treated all of your coworkers with disrespect. I have heard no end of rude things you’ve said and even brushed off a few barbs against me. If it ever happens again, you’re gone immediately. ”

Tears appeared in the girl’s eyes. “Livia left me!”

“What did you say to her?” Delores asked, putting both hands on her hips.

Irene pursed her lips and lowered her chin. That’s when Livia knew she wasn’t a stupid child. Irene had hurt Livia on purpose. She knew what she’d said was wrong. She refused to answer when pressed again.

Her refusal to answer made Delores furious. “Let your cousin deal with her own affairs, or you will suffer the consequences.”

Irene fled from the shop, sobbing.

“I’ll be in my office,” Delores said. “Waiting for the onslaught.”

Livia was left with her other coworkers. Clara’s face was lined with tension. “I am glad Delores finally stood up to her, but they’re going to throw such a huge fuss.”

“The onslaught?” Livia asked.

Florian shrugged. “The Antonius clan whines a lot. They’ll be up in arms and out for blood.”

“My blood?” Livia asked.

Nobody answered.

“Did the TARP lobby look okay?” Livia asked Clara.

Clara nodded. “Irene did a nice job. She really does have an artistic flare.”

It was admirable that Clara was still able to offer the girl compliments. Perhaps, it was Clara’s way of trying to keep the peace. When it came down to it, Irene ensured that the job got done, which was the most important thing. Something that Livia had forgotten in the heat of the moment. That stung, admitting that Clara was right. Livia had acted unprofessionally, and that filled her with shame.