Chapter 6 - Thomas Comes Upstairs
Thomas arrived twelve minutes later.
He did not look surprised by the broken vase.
He looked annoyed.
That told me he knew Marta had planned a confrontation.
He entered the kitchen and immediately reached for the key on the floor.
I stepped on it.
“Leave it.”
Marta pointed at me.
“She is acting insane.”
Thomas ignored her.
His eyes went to the sealed folder.
“You opened that?”
“No.”
Relief crossed his face.
Only for a second.
“What is it?” Marta demanded.
Thomas said, “Nothing.”
I picked up the folder.
“Then you won’t mind if I open it.”
He moved toward me.
I stepped back.
“Do not touch me.”
He stopped.
Our kitchen was narrow.
The three of us stood between the counter and the hallway like people trapped inside a lie too large for the room.
Thomas lowered his voice.
“Sophie, we can discuss this privately.”
“Your mother just smashed my property and ordered me out.”
“She was upset.”
“Because you told her this apartment belonged to you.”
“I told her we built a life here.”
“She said you bought it.”
Marta looked between us.
“Didn’t you?”
Thomas’s silence answered.
Her certainty cracked.
“You told me you paid the deposit.”
“I said I handled the purchase.”
“You said she moved in after.”
Thomas rubbed his forehead.
“I simplified things.”
“You lied,” I said.
He looked at me.
“So did you.”
“About what?”
May you like
He pointed at the folder.
“Your money.”
