"Gladys?" She widened her eyes in practiced surprise. "You're back? Leo's still sleeping..."
I cut her off.
"Last I checked, I don't need permission to enter my own home."
"Move."
"That's not what I meant." She planted herself in the doorway, chin lifted in defiance.
"But Mr. James is still resting, and you seem upset, Gladys. I was worried you might disturb him..."
I didn't waste my breath on her. I shoved her aside.
"Move."
Leo woke from the commotion and emerged from the bedroom on his crutches.
Seeing the tension crackling between us, he frowned.
"What's going on?"
Virginia's tears spilled before she could even speak.
"Mr. James, I'm so sorry. You were exhausted last night, and I just wanted to let you sleep longer. I didn't mean to offend Gladys."
She sobbed in little hiccups, the picture of a bullied bunny.
But her ears were flushed a telling crimson.
Leo turned his head to cough twice before speaking.
"Gladys, you've really misunderstood Virginia. Apologize to her."
I ignored him and sat down on the sofa.
My gaze drifted to the display shelf. The framed photo of Leo and me was gone.
In its place sat a glass jar filled with paper wishing stars—folded by Virginia's own hands.
Scattered across the coffee table were undergarments that didn't belong to me.
"No wonder you blocked me at the door. You two have been busy, haven't you?"
Virginia rushed over, crying as she gathered the lingerie.
"These are mine—I washed them, I was just drying them here..."
"In the living room?"
I let out a cold laugh.
"With a broken leg, Leo, can you still keep her satisfied?"
Virginia's face flooded scarlet. She stammered, "Gladys, you—you really have the wrong idea. Mr. James and I... we haven't done anything."
"Enough!"
Leo glared at me, irritation sharpening his voice.
"Gladys, do you have to humiliate her with such vulgar remarks?"
"She's just an innocent young woman. Unlike you—your head is full of nothing but schemes!"
I looked up at him.
"What exactly am I scheming?"
"You're scheming how to humiliate her, how to destroy her reputation, how to make me bend to your every whim, orbiting around you and you alone!"
Leo's voice rose with each word.
"Yes, I let her stay—but nothing happened between us!"
"She took care of me. I'm grateful to her. It's that simple! Why do you insist on assuming the worst about everyone?"
"I couldn't care less whether people's hearts are pure or rotten."
I pulled out a folder.