Chapter 4
The police took my statement in the dining room.
I sat beneath Evelyn’s crystal chandelier with an ice pack against my lip and blood drying near my collar.
Every few minutes, Daniel tried to catch my eye.
I refused to give him that comfort.
An officer photographed my injuries.
Another collected Lydia’s copies of the recordings.
Robert gave his statement.
His voice broke twice.
Not when he talked about money.
When he talked about realizing his own children had been afraid of their mother for years.
Clara spoke next.
Her voice was barely above a whisper.
“She hit Emily before,” she said. “Last month. In the laundry room.”
Daniel covered his face.
Robert turned to him.
“You knew?”
Daniel did not answer.
That was answer enough.
Evelyn sat on the sofa with her hands folded, pretending this was all beneath her.
“She is manipulating you,” she said.
The officer looked at her.
“Ma’am, you are currently being recorded.”
For once, Evelyn shut up.
Lydia pulled me aside.
“There’s something else.”
My stomach tightened.
“What?”
“The account Evelyn mentioned is real. Money has been moving from Robert’s company through an account opened in your name.”
I went cold.
“My name?”
“Yes.”
“I never opened anything.”
“I know.”
Daniel stepped closer.
“What account?”
Lydia looked at him.
“An account your signature appears on.”
His face paled.
“I didn’t know it was Emily’s.”
I stared at him.
“But you signed.”
He swallowed.
“Mom said it was temporary.”
“Temporary fraud?”
He looked like I had slapped him.
Good.
Evelyn stood suddenly.
“You ungrateful little parasite!”
Everyone froze.
She pointed at me.
“You came into this family with nothing.”
Robert’s voice cut through the room.
“And somehow you are the only one who brought truth.”
Evelyn stared at him.
The police officer stepped forward.
“Mrs. Hayes, turn around.”
May you like
Her mouth opened.
Handcuffs closed around her wrists.
