"You just don't want to help Godfrey, is that it?"
I shook my head, stung.
"The restaurant barely covers our family's expenses."
She didn't believe me. She went back to her favorite weapon—Vincent's injury.
"Vincent gave up his legs for you. He'll never walk again. Godfrey is his only brother. You can't even do this one thing? How can you face Vincent?!"
Then the tears came:
"If Godfrey can't find a wife, if the Matthews name dies with this generation, that's on YOU!"
It was the first time Caroline had said what she really thought, right there in front of everyone, like she was finally letting the venom out.
Even with the medication, my body wouldn't stop shaking.
Something sat lodged in my chest—dense, suffocating, ready to burst.
I turned to look at Vincent, but my vision wouldn't focus.
My voice cracked:
"Vincent, I'm so tired. I really can't come up with two hundred thousand."
I thought he'd understand.
After all, he'd once told me:
"Amanda, it's not your fault. I'm your husband. Protecting you is what I'm supposed to do."
His lips moved. But what came out was:
"Amanda, I'm paralyzed because I saved you. An older brother's wife is like a mother to his siblings. You can't just abandon Godfrey."