Richard showed up with a bottle of wine and an affable smile. Pleasant, composed, easy to be around. For most of the meal, Christine almost regretted her own mistrusts.
Then Tyler went to his room. And the evening took a completely different turn.
Richard followed her to the kitchen. Her smile was gone. He then confided in her that he had intentionally formed a bond with Tyler — not for the young man, but for her. More precisely: for an old carved wooden box stored in the attic. An object that Tyler's father would have stolen from him years earlier.
To force her to comply, he used the most formidable weapon: turning Tyler against her.
When a son chooses his mother without hesitation
Upset but brave, Christine went up to the attic to retrieve the dust-covered box. She had never opened it. Inside was a silver medallion that belonged to Richard's deceased wife. He admitted to having used such brutal methods for fear that she would sell him without measuring the sentimental value.
