Chapter 1 - The Smile He Could Not Own
Roman looked at me as if he had discovered a stranger inside his own house.
"You laughed with him."
I kept my hands folded.
"He was fixing the coffee machine, sir."
"That wasn't my question."
The room smelled of bergamot and old smoke.
I watched rain gather against the window.
"I laughed because he made a joke."
Roman set down his glass.
"You never laugh here."
I wanted to say there was nothing funny here.
Instead, I studied the carpet.
"May I return to work?"
"Look at me, Norah."
I raised my chin.
His expression had changed.
I had seen anger before.
This was something worse.
He seemed angry that he felt anything at all.
"Does Finn know about your father's debt?"
"No."
"Does he know who collects it?"
"No."
"Then keep it that way."
I felt my stomach drop.
"Was that a warning?"
He said nothing.
For the first time, I understood something.
His silence wasn't always an answer.
Sometimes it was a trap.
"I didn't do anything wrong," I whispered.
Roman's eyes narrowed.
"Who told you that you did?"
"You called me here like a criminal."
The words escaped before I could stop them.
I waited for the explosion.
It never came.
He walked to his desk.
Opened a drawer.
Then placed a pale envelope before me.
"Your debt statement."
My fingers stiffened.
I had never been allowed to see one.
"Why now?"
"Because I want you to understand the arrangement."
I opened it.
The amount made my knees weaken.
It was higher than two years ago.
Higher despite every paycheck surrendered.
"That can't be right."
Roman watched my face.
"What did they tell you?"
"That the balance was almost paid."
"Who told you?"
I swallowed.
"Your accountant. Mr. Vale."
Roman reached for the paper.
I pulled it back.
For a heartbeat, we both froze.
Then I found my voice.
"I want a copy."
He studied me.
"Take it."
I folded the statement carefully.
I had spent two years fearing this man.
Now I was afraid of a number.
At the doorway, he spoke again.
"Norah."
I stopped.
"Don't sign anything Vale brings you."
I turned around.
"Why would he bring me anything?"
Roman looked toward the locked cabinet.
"Because someone has been using your father's name."
My mouth went dry.
"My father is dead."
"That's what makes it interesting."
Then someone knocked three times.
A voice came through the door.
"Mr. Costa. Vale is here."
Roman didn't move.
Neither did I.
May you like
The envelope trembled in my hand.
And from the other side of the door, Vale said my father's name.
