Chapter 11 - My Mother's First Lie
I returned to the hospital with the photograph in my coat pocket.
Eleanor knew what it was before I placed it on the tray table.
Her face folded.
"Where did you get that?"
"Vanessa."
"Tell me."
"Leonard and I were friends."
"How close?"
"Too close for a while."
"You had an affair?"
"No."
"Your father and I were separated for four months. He was drinking. I was angry. Leonard was charming and helpful and very interested in your father's business contacts. I almost made a terrible mistake."
"Almost?"
"I kissed him once. Then I ended it."
"And he stayed in our lives?"
"Through Martin. Through business. I thought I could manage the distance."
"Did you introduce Caleb to Leonard?"
"Mom."
"I introduced Caleb to Martin. Martin brought Leonard in. I thought Leonard could help structure the investment. Instead, I put a wolf at the table."
"After your father died, I suspected the heart attack wasn't as simple as everyone said. But I had no proof. Then Caleb died. I became afraid."
"So you buried it."
"I protected you."
"By letting me build a company on stolen shares?"
"By keeping you alive."
The words landed hard.
"Why now?"
"Because Vanessa came to me two months ago and asked whether I still had Caleb's documents. She said she wanted to help clean up old family matters before the wedding."
"You told her?"
"Not everything. Enough to see fear in her face."
"Then you drafted the restitution."
"I was going to tell you after the surgery."
"Mrs. Cross, did someone adjust your IV?"
My mother looked confused.
"This clamp was changed. Your medication is running almost twice the ordered rate."
"Who was in here?"
The nurse looked toward the door.
"A woman from your family was here about twenty minutes ago. Blonde. Expensive beige coat."
Vanessa.
May you like
Except Vanessa was dark-haired.
Her mother, Diane Sterling, was blonde.
