The Bakery at Dawn
Chapter 06 - The Bakery at Dawn
Abigail returned to Monroe Bakery before sunrise.
The ovens were silent.
Her daughter, Sophie, found her sitting at a flour-dusted table wearing yesterday’s wedding dress beneath an old wool coat.
Sophie was twenty-two and had spent months pretending not to worry about her mother marrying into the Whitmore family.
She looked at the suitcase.
“What happened?”
Abigail placed the contract and photograph on the table.
Sophie read everything twice.
Then she said, “Grandpa owned part of their company?”
“Maybe.”
“And Nathan’s mother tried to pay you to leave?”
“Yes.”
Sophie sat across from her.
“Did Nathan know?”
“I don’t think so.”
“That isn’t what I asked.”
Abigail looked up.
Sophie had always seen through uncertainty.
“No. I don’t believe he knew.”
“Then why are you here?”
“Because believing him doesn’t make the rest disappear.”
Sophie reached across the table.
“You taught me not to make permanent decisions during temporary panic.”
Abigail gave her a tired smile.
“I regret teaching you so much.”
At seven, Nathan arrived.
He had removed his wedding jacket but still wore the black shirt from the suite.
Sophie unlocked the door.
“You have five minutes.”
Nathan looked at Abigail.
“I resigned as CEO.”
She stood.
“What?”
“I called an emergency board meeting. I disclosed the contract and the possible ownership claim. Until the investigation is complete, I will not control the company.”
“You gave up your position overnight?”
“I stepped aside. There’s a difference.”
“Why?”
“Because if I remained in charge, every document we found would look like something I could influence.”
Abigail studied him.
Nathan placed his wedding ring on the bakery table.
Her heart tightened.
“I’m not returning this,” he said. “I’m leaving it here because I want you to decide when it means something again.”
Then he placed a key beside it.
“The Whitmore archives are under the original hotel. My mother never allowed anyone outside the family inside.”
Sophie folded her arms.
“And now?”
May you like
Nathan looked at Abigail.
“Now the Monroe family goes first.”
