Chapter 9 - What They Took From Me
I didn’t touch the file.
“What is it?”
“Your payroll records.”
“I know what I make.”
Luca opened the folder.
“No. You know what they paid you.”
My contract included room and board.
Victor had explained the deductions as taxes, insurance, and an employee housing fee.
I hadn’t questioned him.
I had been grateful for steady work after the animal clinic where I assisted closed its doors.
Luca pointed to a column.
“The housing fee wasn’t authorized.”
“How much?”
He told me.
Enough to cover most of the debt I still owed.
Enough to rent a small apartment.
Enough that I wouldn’t have needed to stand in the rain and lie about a woman who shoved me.
I sat down.
“Who received it?”
“The deductions were routed through an estate services company. My accountant is checking the ownership.”
“Victor?”
“We don’t know yet.”
At least he said that.
I looked at the numbers again.
Every month, I had blamed myself for not managing better.
Every month, somebody else had taken another piece.
“How many employees?”
“More than you.”
Bruno put his chin on my knee.
I rested my hand on his head.
Luca said, “You should have your own attorney.”
I looked up.
“Someone who doesn’t work for me.”
“Will you let them see the records?”
“Yes.”
“All of them?”
He hesitated.
“Anything related to this.”
“That sounds like a smaller promise.”
“It is,” he said. “I don’t want to lie to you.”
I respected the honesty.
I didn’t mistake it for enough.
I left the next morning.
Mrs. Alvarez had arranged a short stay with her sister, who lived in a small apartment above a bakery.
Luca brought Bruno to the car.
The dog tried to climb in after me.
I buried my face in his neck.
“This isn’t me leaving you,” I whispered.
Luca waited until I looked up.
“I’ll bring him whenever you want.”
“Ask first.”
He nodded.
At the apartment, I called an employment attorney named Rachel Park.
Nora had found her through a local legal aid referral.
Rachel listened without interrupting.
Then she asked for every message, pay stub, and photograph I had.
As I gathered them, a new email arrived.
Subject: FINAL NOTICE.
May you like
Attached was an agreement offering me twenty-five thousand dollars.
In exchange, I would admit Isabella had never touched me.
