“Maybe guilt is finally catching up with her.”
I stared at her.
“Mom, stop.”
She lifted her glass.
“Why should I? Everyone deserves to know. My daughter got pregnant, then hid behind the name of a dead man.”
Daniel’s mother gasped. My hands went cold.
“This baby is Daniel’s,” I whispered.
My mother leaned closer, close enough for me to smell wine on her breath.
“Don’t pretend to be innocent, Leah. You were always desperate for attention.”
Then came the insult. The entire room froze. Daniel’s family stared at me as though I had become something shameful. My mother’s three strangers watched with amusement, especially Paul, the older man with silver hair and a gold watch.
I did not cry. Not there. I picked up my purse, placed a hand over my belly, and walked out while my mother shouted after me.
“Run away, then! That’s what liars do.”
Outside, rain struck the pavement like broken glass. I was sitting in my car when Daniel’s lawyer, Mr. Hayes, called.
“Leah,” he said, “the final accident report came in. Also, Daniel’s life insurance and company shares are scheduled to transfer to your name this week.”
I closed my eyes. Daniel had built a logistics company with his best friend. After his death, I inherited his majority ownership. My mother knew money was coming. Of course she knew.
“And the envelope I gave you?” I asked.
“The one with your mother’s messages? We’ve begun reviewing everything.”
I looked back at the bright house, where Marlene was probably enjoying what she believed was her victory.
“Good,” I said quietly. “Keep going.”
