Chapter 3He Wore My Robe For Her

The world tilted. My suitcase hit the floor with a heavy thud.

“Dad? Dad, stay calm. I’m coming. I’m coming right now!”

I grabbed my keys and bolted for the door.

Parker was startled, too. He followed me toward the elevator. “I’m coming with you! You know how much she means to me!”

I didn't even look at him. When the elevator doors opened, I sprinted toward the parking garage. But when I got to my SUV and reached into my bag, my hand hit empty leather.

My car keys were gone.

Parker stood by the car door, his eyes darting everywhere but at my face.

“Where are my keys, Parker?” I asked, my voice dangerously low.

“I... I thought we weren't going anywhere tonight. I lent them to Lydia’s parents. They needed to pick someone up from the airport and their car wouldn't start...”

He couldn't even look at me.

I didn't have time for his lies. I shoved past him, running toward the street to hail a cab. But it was midnight on a holiday in a secluded, high-end residential district. The streets were empty.

“Call an Uber! Now!” I screamed at him as I ran toward the gate.

Parker pulled out his phone, his fingers fumbling with the screen. “I... my phone’s dead. It just shut off.”

My heart plummeted. My mother had a serious heart condition. I knew why this was happening—my father had mentioned earlier that day that he was worried about how much time Parker was spending "next door." My mother was a woman of immense pride and she loved me fiercely. The stress of the rumors must have finally broken her.

I looked at my own phone. The rideshare app was spinning—no cars available for fifteen minutes. I couldn't wait. I ran toward the security kiosk to ask for help.

As I passed Lydia’s designated parking spot, I saw a brand-new Mercedes sitting there.

“Parker, go to Lydia’s. Now. Tell her to drive me to the hospital!”

It was the most humiliating thing I had ever had to say.

But Parker grabbed my arm, pulling me back. “No! We can't ask her!”

“It’s a matter of life and death, Parker! Let go of me!”

I tried to shake him off, but he gripped my wrist with a terrifying strength. “Diana, please! Just don’t go over there... she... she’s been drinking. She can’t drive!”

I looked at the sheer, unadulterated guilt written on his face. “Are you afraid of what I’ll see? I don’t care!”

“I don’t give a damn if you were screwing her five minutes ago! I need a car!”

Parker seemed shocked by my outburst. He finally let go, looking defeated. He ran up to 4B and pounded on the door.

The door opened. Lydia stood there in her slip dress, her hair damp, the air of the apartment smelling of sex and expensive gin.

Parker started explaining, his voice shaking. Lydia leaned against the doorframe, a slow, cruel smirk spreading across her lips as she looked at me.

“If you want a favor, Diana, ask for it yourself. Don’t use my Parker as a messenger.”

My chest was heaving, but for the sake of my mother, I swallowed every ounce of my pride. “Lydia. Please. Let me borrow the car.”

She didn't move. She took a slow drag from a cigarette she’d just lit and exhaled the smoke directly into my face. I choked on the gray cloud, my eyes watering, but I didn't move.

She tapped the ash onto the hallway carpet and gestured toward the floor with her chin.

“You want the car? Show me some respect. It’s a holiday. A little 'thank you' on your knees wouldn't be out of place for a girl like you, would it?”

My eyes burned. I turned to Parker. “Is this what you want?”

Parker looked away, his voice a pathetic mumble. “Diana, just do it. Don’t be stubborn. Your mom is waiting.”

“Lydia’s just upset because of how you’ve been acting tonight. She just wants an apology. Just... give her what she wants so we can go.”

The coldness that settled in my bones was absolute. Lydia laughed, a bright, tinkling sound, and leaned her head on Parker’s shoulder.

“See? Parker understands. If you won't bow, then get lost. We have a long night ahead of us.”

The seconds were ticking by. Every heartbeat was a second my mother might not have. I closed my eyes, and when I opened them, there was nothing left but a dead, hollow silence.

“Fine.”