The room remained quiet.
I felt Priya’s hand touch my shoulder.
The recording continued.
“I intended to tell Charlotte everything before her wedding.”
My chest tightened.
“But her mother came to me.”
My eyes moved away from the screen.
My mother.
“She begged me not to interfere.”
The words landed harder than I expected.
“She said Charlotte was happy. She said Garrett was successful. She said I was creating problems because I did not understand modern relationships.”
Evelyn paused.
“But that was not the reason she asked me to stay silent.”
The room seemed colder.
“She was afraid.”
My eyes returned to the screen.
“Your mother did not help Garrett because she wanted to hurt you, Charlotte. She helped him because she believed she had no other choice.”
I frowned.
No choice?
That sounded impossible.
My grandmother continued.
“Seven years ago, your father’s company collapsed. The debt was larger than you knew. Garrett offered assistance.”
