Chapter 8 - My Mother-in-Law Finally Faced Me
Evelyn asked to see me before entering her plea.
I refused twice.
The third request came through her attorney with one sentence:
She wants to tell you where the original financial records are.
I went.
The detention facility stripped Evelyn of her favorite weapons.
No silk.
No diamonds.
No mansion.
No audience.
She looked older.
"Claire."
I sat.
"Where are the records?"
She laughed softly.
"Still efficient."
"Yes."
"Did you ever love me?"
The question stunned me.
"Is that why I'm here?"
"No."
"Then where are the records?"
Her eyes hardened.
There she was.
"You always thought you were better than us."
"No."
"You hid your money."
"I kept inherited assets separate."
"You made Daniel feel small."
"Daniel made himself feel small."
"He was your husband!"
"Which gave him access to my trust, my body and my signature?"
Evelyn flinched.
I leaned forward.
"You called me useless while spending ten thousand dollars of my money every month."
Her face reddened.
"I didn't know."
"You knew eventually."
Silence.
"You learned the truth and kept taking it."
She looked away.
"Where are the records?"
"Storage unit in Alexandria. Martin has the key."
"Thank you."
I stood.
"Wait."
I stopped.
Evelyn's voice broke.
"I didn't mean for you to lose the baby."
I turned slowly.
She began crying.
"I thought the tea would make you sick."
I felt cold.
"Why?"
"Because Daniel wasn't ready."
"Daniel?"
"He said everything was getting complicated."
"Did he ask you to do it?"
"No."
Immediate.
Firm.
I believed her.
"He didn't know."
"He suspected afterward."
"Yes."
"And you let me think my body caused it."
She covered her face.
"I was afraid."
Everyone was always afraid after hurting me.
Funny how brave they were beforehand.
"Goodbye, Evelyn."
"Claire."
I opened the door.
"I'm sorry."
I looked back.
"For which part?"
She couldn't answer.
May you like
That was the problem.
There were too many.
