I believed her.
It didn’t excuse what she did.
But I believed it.
“He told me if I chose you, I was choosing against the family.”
“And you believed him?”
“No.”
A tear rolled down her cheek.
“I obeyed him.”
That was more honest.
“Do you understand what you did?”
“Yes.”
“I don’t think you do.”
I kept my voice calm.
“You didn’t only leave me out of a wedding. You let Dad create a false story about me. You let dozens of relatives believe I threatened you. You let me discover your marriage through Instagram.”
She looked down.
“I know.”
“And last night, while he told me I wasn’t important enough, you sat there.”
Her shoulders shook.
“I’m sorry.”
“You smiled, Claire.”
She covered her face.
“I wasn’t smiling at you.”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“I was nervous.”
“It doesn’t matter.”
Eventually, she asked, “Are you really going to let Ryan’s company fail?”
“I’m going to let Ryan’s company become Ryan’s responsibility.”
“And Mom and Dad?”
“The mortgage agreement continues.”
“Dad says you’re evicting them.”
“Dad lies.”
She flinched.
“I’m not evicting anyone. I’m ending the payment holiday I gave them after his surgery. He owes exactly what the contract says.”
“He can’t afford it.”
