“My attorney will provide copies of the documents. I’d like to file a report for fraud, forgery, and identity misuse.”
My mother’s chin lifted.
“You would do that to your own family?”
I looked at Courtney.
Then back at Patricia.
“You did it first.”
The officers escorted them out.
Not in handcuffs.
Not yet.
That came later.
But it was enough.
Patricia Anderson, who had entered Briar Glen like royalty, left through the same foyer where she had demanded I be removed.
Courtney followed behind her, crying too hard to look at anyone.
At the door, she stopped and turned back.
For a second, I expected another insult.
Instead she looked at me like a lost child.
“Did Daniel really come to you first?” I asked.
Her mouth trembled.
Then she nodded.
“He said you made him feel small,” she whispered. “I liked that someone wanted me instead.”
It was the closest thing to honesty she had ever given me.
“Courtney,” I said, “he wanted access.”
Her face collapsed.
Because she knew.
Daniel had used her the way she had used everyone else.
Then she walked out.
The doors closed behind them.
The dining room stayed silent.
I sat down slowly.
Charles approached.
“Ms. Anderson?”
I looked up.
“Yes?”
He smiled gently.