Chapter 372
I nced at Gemma, who stood there spinning tall tales as if her mouth was a merry-go-round of fibs.
Her words made about as much sense as a screen door on a submarine.
Wasn''t her son dead? And now, out of the blue, she''s spinning yarns about how he didn’t think about
settling down.
The reason I brought it up was because of what Jan mentionedst night when he caught up with
Gemma. He’d been mighty clear, "If you can’t do even this, then prepare to pack your bags! But before
you go, return what you took from me. Fair’s fair, right? I''m under no obligation to buy your son a car or
a house!"
That''s when my suspicions kicked in. I distinctly remembered Gemma iming her son had died of
leukemia.
And now, here she was, suggesting he lived like a king on Jan''s dime. It was as if she thought he
could just rise from the grave at the drop of a hat, all based on her say-so.
As soon as I quizzed her, sure enough, she said her son was ayabout.
This woman was sure full of nonsense.
I let out a nonchnt "Oh?" and didn’t call her out, deciding to let her train of lies chug along.
I''d store these words up and throw them back in her face when the time was right.
"We haven''t had a youngster that age around for years," Gemma cooed at Carl, who was busy swatting
her hand like it was a fly. "Kids that age know how to charm you and win hearts. Give it a few more
years, and they''re as wee as a skunk at awn party."Gemma said so as she teased Carl.
"Got any little kids that age in the family, Gemma?" I asked with a hint of mischief.
"Oh, there''s a little one in the family alright, already in grade school!" I caught her eye and knew right
away she was talking about Marissa''s kid.
"Looks like you’ve got a soft spot for the little ones," I prodded further. "So why aren''t you nannying for
your rtives?"
"Well, they''re quite the precious cargo!" She said, sneaking a peek at me.
I feigned ignorance, not keen on unraveling her tangle of tales any further.
Her stories were as disjointed as a jigsaw puzzle with missing pieces. I figured she started by trying to
earn my sympathy, but now that she was morefortable, the lies were finally revealed.
Noticing Carl rubbing his eyes and yawning, I mentioned to Helga, "We should tuck him in. Looks like
bedtime''s calling."
Helga scooped up Carl right away and we headed upstairs. After putting Carl to bed, Helga nced
down the stairs and whispered, "Not a single word of truthes from that woman!"
"Oh? How so?" I yed along.
"Just yesterday, she was moaning about how kids are a handful, saying she''s not cut out for
babysitting. Told me her son''s kids are always with the granny. And now, here she is telling you a whole
other story about her son being ayabout who''s yet to find a wife. Which end is up with her?"
I chuckled softly, "You don''t say!"
Helga scoffed, "She''s all show, no substance."
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Iughed with a shrug, reassuring her, "Don''t worry, her day of reckoning wille."
Hannah, trailing behind us, piped up, "Where are Monique and Fidelia?"
Helga replied promptly, "They''re next door. The neighbor''s ce is like a mini school during the day.
Mr. Damon keeps an eye on the kids while they do their homework. I''ve seen it. It''s quite the setup."
"Really?" I was genuinely intrigued.
I could easily picture Monique''smanding presence, which was honestly part of the problem.
"Probert''s always got Monique’s back. He''s her right-hand man. The kids all follow their lead, but when
Monique''s in a bind, it''s Probert she consults."
Helga''s insights wereforting, the kind of details only an observant person could pick up on.
As we chatted away, Jan came out of his room upstairs. Dr?мanоvels
Seeing us with the child, he approached with a grin and started to y with Carl.
His little hands might have been small, but they sure had strength. I wagered Jan was seeing his fair
share of them right about now.