Chapter 14: Profitable Gratitude

Lexie had barely begun to recover from the trauma of childbirth when Carly waltzed into the basement room one afternoon, her expression unusually bright. Lexie, curled up on the mattress, barely looked up, her body still aching and her spirit numb.

“Well, look at you,” Carly said, her tone unnervingly cheerful as she perched on the edge of a chair. “I’ve got good news, Lexie. You’ll want to hear this.”

Lexie turned her head slightly, her eyes dull. She said nothing.

Carly pulled an envelope from her pocket and tossed it onto the bed. “Go ahead. Open it.”

Lexie hesitated before reaching for the envelope, her fingers trembling. Inside was a stack of crisp hundred-dollar bills. She counted it quickly, her breath catching. A thousand dollars.

“I don’t understand,” she murmured.

Carly leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees. “Consider it a refund. That little loan you gave me all those months ago? I’m just returning it. Interest-free, of course. You know, for being such a good sport.”

Lexie’s stomach churned. The money in her hands felt heavy, tainted by everything that had happened.

“Why now?” she asked quietly.

Carly shrugged, a smug grin playing on her lips. “Let’s just say things worked out better than I expected. The family I placed your little bundle of joy with? Very well-off. Generous, too. I thought it was only fair to share a little of the wealth, given all your ... contributions.”

Lexie’s hands tightened around the money, anger and despair mingling in her chest.

“Oh, and one more thing,” Carly added, her tone breezy. “We need to talk about your living arrangements.”

Lexie looked up, wary.

“You can stay here if you want, but it’s going to cost you,” Carly said, crossing her legs. “Rent’s due at the beginning of the month, utilities not included. Or, if you’d prefer, you can find someplace else. Entirely up to you.”

Lexie opened her mouth to respond, but Carly held up a hand, cutting her off.

“Wait, wait, I almost forgot!” Carly exclaimed, snapping her fingers. “I’ve been thinking about how much you’ve done for me—how much we’ve accomplished together. And I’ve decided to invest in you.”

Lexie frowned. “Invest?”

Carly’s grin widened. “That’s right. I’m funding your breast enhancements. Consider it my way of saying thank you for all your hard work. You’ll look even better than before, which, trust me, will do wonders for your future. You’re welcome.”

Lexie stared at her, stunned into silence. Carly stood, brushing nonexistent dust from her jeans.

“I’ll make the arrangements,” Carly said, heading toward the door. “Oh, and don’t take too long deciding about the rent. Time is money, after all.”

With that, Carly disappeared up the stairs, leaving Lexie alone with the envelope of money and a growing pit of hopelessness in her stomach.