“No.”
“You’re punishing us.”
“I am trying to survive.”
“You could have waited until after the closing.”
I stared at her.
Even now.
Even with the monitor beside me.
Even after seeing the bruises.
The house still occupied more space in her mind than I did.
“I don’t know where I’ll live when I leave here,” I said. “I don’t know what Garrett has done in my name. I don’t know whether the company I helped build is legitimate. But you’re asking me why I didn’t wait to protect your swimming pool.”
My mother looked wounded, as if I had been cruel.
My father glanced toward the security officer.
“We should go.”
Before leaving, he turned back.
“Garrett has connections, Charlotte. You should be careful about making accusations you cannot prove.”
It was meant as advice.
It sounded like a warning.
After they left, Elena found me crying without sound.
