Chapter 2 - The Name Nobody Asked About
"What did he mean?" I asked Daniel.
My husband didn't look at me. Linda looked from his face to my phone, irritated that someone else had taken control of her dinner party.
"Richard," she announced, "your daughter behaved disgracefully."
"Did you strike her?" Dad asked.
"She insulted me."
"That isn't an answer."
"This is a family matter."
"A child witnessed an assault. Sarah needs medical care. You don't get to rename it."
The word assault made the room twitch. Daniel's uncle set down his wineglass. Melissa, Daniel's sister, reached for her phone under the table.
"Sarah," Dad said, "take Emma into another room. Call 911 if you need help getting out. Is your skin burned?"
"Yes. It hurts."
"Then call. Now. I'll meet you at the hospital."
"The police won't care about a family disagreement," Linda scoffed.
I dialed while she was still talking.
The dispatcher told me to get away from the heat, cool the affected area under running water, and stay on the line. I led Emma to the kitchen. She refused to let go of my hand even when I asked her to stand beside me.
The caterer quietly showed me the sink. "I'm sorry," she whispered.
"You don't have to be."
"I saw her hit you. I'll tell them."
I had been waiting all evening for one adult to say that.
Daniel appeared in the doorway. "We can handle this privately."
"You had your chance."
"Mom didn't mean to hurt you."
"She walked across the room to do it."
He lowered his voice. "Your dad just bought a loan tied to my family's business. If this gets ugly, people lose jobs."
My hand froze beneath the water.
"What loan?"
He shut his eyes. "I thought he'd spoken to you."
"About what?"
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Before Daniel could answer, my phone buzzed with a text from an unfamiliar number.
DON'T LET HIM TAKE YOU HOME. CHECK THE SIGNATURE ON PAGE SEVEN.
