“They told me the mortgage was paid.”
“They lied.”
I closed my eyes.
Images rearranged themselves.
My parents dismissing every concern I raised about Garrett.
My mother insisting marriage was private.
My father changing the subject whenever I asked why Garrett handled their taxes.
Their sudden vacations. My mother’s new car. The private club membership they claimed was a gift from an old friend.
“How long have they known?” I asked.
“I don’t know.”
“Did they know about my trust?”
“I don’t know that either.”
Priya placed her hand over mine.
“But someone has been using your money to keep them dependent.”
At nine, my parents arrived at the hospital.
They were not allowed upstairs, but my mother created enough of a disturbance in the lobby that security called the intensive care desk.
Elena entered my room carrying the phone.
“Your parents are downstairs. They insist this is an emergency.”
