Chapter 6: The Price of My Son’s Silence
I looked at Caleb.
“Why would they call it my estate?”
“I don’t know.”
Alexis spoke over him.
“It was an accounting label.
Nothing more.”
The bank representative remained on the line.
“Mrs.
Carter, did you authorize anyone to discuss your assets or future inheritance?”
“No.”
Caleb pressed both hands against his face.
I lowered the phone.
“What have you told her?”
“Mom, please.”
“What did you tell her?”
He looked at the guests, then at the grass.
“I told Alexis that Dad left the house and investments to you.”
“And?”
“That someday some of it might come to me.”
Alexis caught his sleeve.
“Stop talking.”
He pulled away.
“You asked about her accounts.
You asked what the house was worth.
I thought you were planning our future.”
“I was.”
“With money my mother is still using to live?”
“You said she had more than she could spend.”
Caleb flinched as if his own words had been thrown back at him.
I gripped the bench.
“Did you say that?”
He came toward me.
“I was frustrated.
Alexis kept saying we would never have what other couples have.”
“What do other couples have, Caleb?”
“A house.
Security.
A start that doesn’t involve begging.”
“You never had to beg me.”
“No.
I only had to feel ashamed every time you paid.”
My knees weakened.
Marianne sat beside me and wrapped both hands around mine.
“Look at me, Susan,” she said.
“What he said was cruel, but you are not alone on this bench.”
I tried to answer, but my breath broke.
Tears slipped down my face while strangers watched from across the lawn.
Caleb knelt in front of me.
“Mom, I didn’t mean I was ashamed of you.”
“You just told me you were.”
“I was ashamed of needing you.”
“Then you should have told me.
You should not have let her turn my kindness into something dirty.”
He wiped his eyes with the back of his hand.
“I wanted her to think I could provide everything.”
Alexis gave a sharp laugh.
“Please don’t make yourself the victim, Caleb.
You promised me a life.”
“I promised you my life.
Not hers.”
Victor stepped forward.
“This performance has gone far enough.
Susan, sign a confidentiality agreement, restore the wedding, and Aster Events will return ten thousand dollars.”
“Ten?” I asked.
“You took eighteen.”
“The remaining eight covers planning work.”
Naomi held up the tablet.
“Aster Events performed no work here.”
Victor’s jaw tightened.
“Your venue will regret getting involved.”
A black sedan stopped near mine, and my attorney, Graham Wells, stepped onto the gravel.
I had called him while the bank traced the transfer.
He shook my hand, then faced Victor.
“The receiving account was flagged before the funds cleared onward.”
Alexis’s bouquet slipped lower.
Graham continued, “Aster Events was dissolved six months ago for failing to file required records.
It should not be accepting client money.”
“That is an administrative mistake,” Victor said.
“Then you can explain the two previous complaints attached to the company.”
Marianne stood.
“Two?”
Victor’s face drained of color.
May you like
A woman wearing a navy suit emerged from Graham’s car and displayed her identification.
“Alexis Hale,” she said, “do not erase anything from that phone.”
