Over the next few days, Hannah avoided Gloria whenever she showed up at the clinic. She did it skillfully. Almost every day before lunch, Gloria would arrive and linger, waiting like a watchdog for Ashton to finish with his patients.

Hannah felt slightly sorry for Ashton, but she knew keeping quiet and avoiding further involvement with Gloria was better.

On Sunday, Hannah spent the day resting in her room and watching television. She had prepared everything she needed for her interview the next day.

A knock on her door startled her, and a maid called politely from outside.

“Miss Hannah.”

Hannah was surprised because the maids did not usually knock...