"Is it because of Quincy?"
Karen went straight for the jugular.
She wasn't clueless, just straightforward. Lately, the only new addition to Everett's life seemed to be this woman! And even Jeffrey
had mentioned her.
"It's not about her."
Dorothy preferred to keep her personal issues under wraps, not keen on airing her dirty laundry for the world to critique. She still
hoped to find a way to mend things with Everett.
If their argument becpublic knowledge...
It might make reconciliation harder, with Everett too proud to make amends.
"Then what's it about? His mom passing away?"
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"Yeah, he's just been in a bad mood, that's all. Give it stime, and he'll be fine. You don't need to worry about it."
"If | don't look after you, who will?" Karen's voice rose in pitch. "Dorothy, you're usually so vigilant! How cyou becso naive
when it comes to love? Men, especially someone like Everett, they don't just get upset for no reason! | think his mom's death is just
an excuse, and it's actually all because of Quincy."
Karen had more experience in love than Dorothy did, after all.
Dorothy had only ever been with Everett.
"Everett doesn't like Quincy."
"That doesn't stop Quincy from trying to get close to him! Maybe she's using the opportunity, with Everett's mom gone, to worm
her way in and drive a wedge between you two." Karen grew more convinced as she spoke. "Wait and see, I'm going to grill Jeffrey
later! I'll make sure he spills the beans!"
Dorothy quickly interjected, "No! Don't ask Jeffrey. | don't want Everett to think we're making a big deal out of a small fight."
If it weren't for Karen's probing, she wouldn't have mentioned it at all.
"And when were you planning to ask? Wait until Quincy steals your man?"
"The Lopez family always wanted o>
Quincy to-marry Everett! Now with
one gohe, who knows what thezother
thinks! Maybe Everett's just listening
tadhis dad.”
&h.sw@
Dorothy hadn't considered this angle before.
She thought it was just Everett grieving his mother's passing, and that tmight heal their issues.
But... Karen's words sowed seeds of doubt.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmEverett's mother's death was indeed a catalyst, and Dorothy's absence gave Quincy an opportunity.
Especially since Dorothy had caught a whiff of Quincy's perfon Everett.
The more she thought about it, the more anxious she became. "Karen, Everett's clothes..."
Dorothy stopped herself midway.
No.
Karen was too impulsive.
If she found out, there was bound to be a scene.
As long as Everett cback.
"What about him?"
IN
"l just don't want to see you get hurt!"
"I know, but | trust Everett. He's not like that."
Quincy wasn't the first woman to cinto Everett's life. There was Heather Garcia before her, and he hadn't fallen for her, either.