My Housekeeper Tried to Replace Me with Her Daughter Chapter 04

My Housekeeper Tried to Replace Me with Her Daughter Chapter 04

Back home, I finished eating and dozed off on the couch.

My phone woke me.

Everett’s name lit up the screen.

I answered the call.

“Babe, we hit a snag with the project. I’ve got to stay a few more days, so I’m not going to make it home today.”

His voice was a little rough, tired, but with that soft edge he only let me hear.

It made my chest ache a little, and it made me smile.

After all these years of marriage, he still kept the whole world at arm’s length, except me. With me, he let every wall come down.

I softened my voice. “Okay. I’ll crash at my parents’ place for a few days. Just focus on the project. And take care of yourself. Don’t run yourself into the ground.”

We talked for half an hour before I finally made myself hang up.

The condo had gone dark around me. I hadn’t even noticed the sun going down.

I got up to turn on the living room light.

When I pressed the switch, the light overhead flickered twice before making a soft pop.

The room went black.

A blown breaker. Half the power in my unit was out.

I sighed, took out my phone, and called the maintenance line for Maple Crest.

“Building C, Apartment 10B. Half the power just went out.”

The voice on the other end was quick.

“Of course, Ms. Ashford. Our technician is out today, though. Would tomorrow evening around eight work for the repair?”

“That’s fine.”

I hung up and used my phone’s flashlight to find my way to the bedroom. I pulled a change of clothes and pajamas from the closet and stuffed them into a bag.

No repair until tomorrow night. I wasn’t about to sit here in the dark all night. I’d head to my parents’.

Before I left, I called Ms. Whitaker and told her to push her start date back a few days. Something had come up.

Before I walked out, my eyes drifted to the security camera in the corner of the living room.

Something nagged at me. Marlene had given up that key too easily.

That wasn’t like her.

It was probably nothing. Right?

I shook off the feeling, pulled the door shut, and listened as the deadbolt clicked into place.

I stayed at my parents’ house for a week.

Everett texted me that he was coming home today.

I called Ms. Whitaker right away and asked her to get the condo ready.

That afternoon, I was in the middle of a meeting with my business partner when Ms. Whitaker called.

“Ms. Ashford, could you come home?”

She was always so calm. Right now, her voice was shaking.

“What happened? What’s wrong?”

Before she could answer, I heard Marlene’s voice in the background.

“Hey, Whitaker! Where do you think you’re going? Get back here!”

“Quit slacking and wash me some grapes. Now.”