“Right. Counteroffer.” She hadn’t gotten that far. She couldn’t come out and say someone was retiring in five months when the paperwork hadn’t been processed yet. “Ah, let me go get cleaned up for dinner and we can discuss it then.”

“Fine. B?”

“Yes my love?”

“Come on. I need help redoing my plans since without that raise we aren’t leaving HERE anytime soon.” Jessica grabbed him by the tie and started dragging him along.

If only Hannah could tell her that leaving this house wasn’t in the cards from a promotion alone. In the past, he kept spouting excuses provided by their mother. At least without sounding crazy or it becoming ammo to have her locked up. Dr. Fry trusted her though. So there was that.

Hannah went to her room and carefully put away her bag. She was going to need to keep an eye on it. And her cookies. Hannah quickly took a peek at her tin of cookies. Sure enough the lid was already off. A moment later, her new maid came in. She looked at Hannah, and was brushing her fingers on the apron. 

Damn it, Sara. 

Just ask for a tin. Or buy them yourself. It was only a hundred per tin.

No.

No.

Hannah was going to keep her cool. It was cookies. “Sara, do you know why the tin is open?”

“Sorry ma’am. I was checking if more cookies were needed for it.” The stout middle aged woman quickly rushed over and put the lid on. “I was then called to help get something for the chef. I’m very sorry, Ma’am.”

“Right. Sara.” Should she? No. Not until she caught her properly. “Please be more careful. I’m going to get my shower. Can you please make sure I’m not disturbed by anyone?”

“Not even Mr. Chip, ma’am? He likes to join you sometimes.”

“Mr. Chip does not have shower privileges right now. He can wait until later to see me.” Hannah said cooly.

Sara looked taken aback and simply nodded. “Of course ma’am. Shall I lay out fresh clothing for you?”

“Yes. Lay out…” Hannah paused. She didn’t even remember what she had right now. “Something you think suits me please.”

Small beads of sweat were breaking out on the woman’s face. She pushed back a black strand of hair before giving a slight bow. “Right away, ma’am.”

Well, it’d be amusing to see what was chosen for her. This was the point where clothing started disappearing from her closet. She found out later Chip had given some of her outfits to side pieces he particularly liked. Later when he started giving her outfits, they were ones said regulars had rejected. It had only fed into the idea she wasn’t worthy of anything nice. Only the rejected and trash items.

Maybe she needed to go on a shopping trip this week. Really pick out what she wanted. That would be nice, right? Of course there would still need to be things proper for a CEO, but that was just the price of the paycheck.

All of this ran through her mind as she got her shower. The steam helped  clear everything away. It was like a gentle boost of confidence, quickly saying that she could do this. That she didn’t need to be scared or sad. Not anymore.

For a second, she started turning up the heat before getting a flashback to the car. Her body burning. That split second she was aware of her flesh being destroyed before floating out and seeing the sight herself. Hannah could barely breathe. She thought she let out a cry as she nearly fell to her knees.

A hard turn to the left on the water faucet and she was in an ice cold shower. Her entire body stiffened, but Hannah could breathe again. She hadn’t been expecting that. She also wasn’t expecting the maid to be running in, having gotten a first aid kit from who knows where. 

“Ma’am! Are you ok? Are you hurt?”

“I’m fine I… I’m on new medication. I think it made me a bit more sensitive to temperature. The water felt like lava.” Hannah gave a weak smile as the water ran down her face.

“Oh ma’am! I’m so sorry. Next time I draw your bath I’ll keep that in mind.” She turned around, as if looking away would prevent the sight. “Tonight's outfit shouldn’t be too warm. Please let me know if it’s too cool and I can help adjust your outfit selections in the future.”

Hannah was fighting to keep from chattering her teeth. Did the water come straight from the arctic? Without another word she turned off the water and carefully stepped out of the shower. There wasn’t much else to say, was there? 

“Thank you Sara.”

This was the woman who was stealing her cookies? Seriously? Hannah would have given her the whole tin on the spot back then.

Now. 

Whatever, the old Hannah would have given all the cookies.

New Hannah sort of wanted to as well. Sara was nice for a cookie thief. She’d need to find a reason as to why she was stealing the cookies when she was this thoughtful.

“I’ll get dressed and be down. Please let my family know I won’t be long.”

“Of course, ma’am.” Sara paused for a moment. “Also, I understand Master Chip has arrived with an assistant.”

Assistant. Meaning the side piece.

If he wanted to pretend his failing startup had enough money for a personal assistant, that was fine. Hannah had been funding it from her personal account for three years now. It was going nowhere, except to wine and lovers.  Maybe she’d make an announcement about that too? She’d have to see.

“Thank you Sara.” Hannah looked at the outfit laid out for her and gave a wide grin. Oh, this would be perfect. She’d just want to do her makeup first.

Maybe that fun blue lipstick she got today.

***

As Hannah walked down the stairs, she could hear the complaining already.

“We should be eating already.” Russett said, annoyed. “We never waited before.”

“Chef said since we are all eating the same thing save for Lady Jessica-” Started Matthew before he was cut off by her mother.

“What? She has two sizes to go down before the wedding! Chip, don't tell me you told her it was acceptable to skip that diet.”

“Of course not. I tried to talk sense into her today and she wouldn’t listen.”

Hannah wasn’t sure, but she thought Jessica mumbled a ‘good’ into a mocktail. It was nice to see someone on her side. Although Jessica probably would be happier if Hannah could ‘rein in’ her man. Hannah distinctly remembered one argument, that hopefully wouldn’t happen anymore, where Jessia berated Hannah over Chip’s actions. Mostly seducing her staff and making them almost miss their court dates. Or worse, came in hung over and barely able to function.

Hannah… couldn’t blame that version of Jessica for hating her.

As the arguments continued with the hangry family members, Hannah slowly stepped down the stairs. She was wearing blue lipstick with a stunning off the shoulder silk blue evening dress. It came to just above her knees with a small sliver rhinestone pattern around her bust. Her sparine blue heels clicked on the marble steps slowly, deliberately. Hannah wasn’t going to rush down the stairs like she had in the past. Half tripping. Being fussed at for being late or too early. Between her fingers, Hannah held an old locket her father gave her. Inside was a picture precious to her. A pretend family portrait of sorts. All the potatoes they were named after in a group.

Her mother huffed, her dyed blond hair showing its roots. But even those were hidden better than Mrs. Kerr’s annoyance. “A bit much for dinner don’t you think?”

“I felt like looking extra nice today, Mother. Would you rather I was still wearing my street clothes?” She carefully sat down, Mr. Matthews silently pushing in her chair before moving to stand directly behind her. “After all, everyone made a fuss about that.”

“What in the world has gotten into you?”

Beauregard quickly answered. “Some new medication her therapist prescribed. That's why she has to eat the same meal as us.”

“Well, she shouldn’t. Today’s meal is steak, potatoes au gratin, caesar salad, and tiramisu. You will balloon up.”

“I didn’t with the burger and fries today. I think I’ll be fine. Besides, I plan to still do my workouts.” She smiled a plastic smile to her mother, hoping it looked real enough. “You wouldn’t want the medication to harm me, would you?”

Chip cleared his throat. “Can we make sure her steak is smaller?”

“Oh can I have her steak then b- Mr. Chip?” The ‘assistant’ spoke up. Hannah was not going to bother to learn this girl's name.

“I think since Chip invited you, perhaps you two could share a plate.” Hannah picked up her glass just as the mocktail from Jessica’s pitcher was poured in. 

It was a shame she couldn’t have wine again yet. But to be fair, they thought she was on medication. At least it was a very pleasant tropical fruit flavor. She’d have to find out how it was made and have it a bit more often.

“Ohh and you and I share one.” Chip leaned forward, giving a grin as he arched his brow from across the table. “You sneaky girl. Are you wanting to feed me?”

“Hardly. I had told the staff to expect you. Not your assistant. No offense to you, miss.” She replied coolly.

Her mother interjected. “You mean demanded he come. He was going to be out tonight.”

“True, but I have an important announcement and I wanted him here for it, so he could take his share of the credit.”

Mr. Matthews held up his hand as the other servants came in with the salads. They all froze in place. Hannah knew he was making sure that she’d have everyone’s full attention. Instead she looked at him, lightly shaking her head and motioning to Jessica. It wasn’t fair to make a pregnant woman wait longer than needed .

Now only mildly annoyed instead of looking ready to kill, Jessica spoke up. “Well. What is it?”