“You always loved Dad more.”
I blinked.
Of all the defenses I expected, that was not one of them.
He continued.
“He respected you. He listened to you. Everything was always Robert and Eleanor. Robert and Eleanor. Perfect team. Perfect marriage. Perfect business minds.”
“Your father loved you.”
“He judged me.”
“He rescued you.”
Daniel stopped.
Vanessa looked at him.
So did Curtis.
I hadn’t planned to say it.
But sometimes truth chooses its own moment.
“When your construction company failed six years ago, your father paid the outstanding payroll so twelve employees wouldn’t miss Christmas.”
Vanessa whispered, “What?”
“When you had tax problems, he paid the attorney.”
Daniel’s face tightened.
“When you lost forty-three thousand dollars trading options, your father covered the mortgage because Vanessa was pregnant.”
Vanessa stood.
“I was told his company gave him a bonus.”
Daniel grabbed her arm.
“Sit down.”
She ripped free.
“You told me you paid that mortgage.”
The deputy stepped between them.
I looked at Vanessa.
For the first time, she wasn’t looking at me with hatred.
She was looking at Daniel.
