Chapter 9 - Susan's Confession
Susan was waiting in the Carter house when Lena returned.
She looked exhausted.
Her hair was disheveled.
Her hands shook.
“I didn't know how to tell you.”
Lena stood several feet away.
“Start with the truth.”
Susan nodded.
“I lied.”
Lena's expression didn't change.
“How long?”
“Years.”
“About what?”
“Almost everything.”
Susan sat down.
She told Lena about the first time Robert borrowed money from her grandfather.
He had promised to repay it.
He didn't.
Then he borrowed again.
And again.
Eventually, Robert began moving money from family accounts to keep his business alive.
Susan discovered it.
She confronted him.
But instead of leaving, she stayed.
“Why?”
Susan looked at her daughter.
“Because I was afraid.”
“Of him?”
“Yes.”
Lena waited.
Susan continued.
“Your father told me if I left, he'd make sure you never saw me again.”
Lena's eyes filled with tears.
“You believed him?”
“I was twenty-seven. I had no money. No job. You were three.”
Lena looked away.
“I thought I could protect you by staying.”
“You didn't.”
“I know.”
Susan cried quietly.
Lena remained silent.
Then Susan revealed the second truth.
Her grandfather had offered to help her leave.
He had arranged money.
A house.
A new identity for a short time.
But Susan had refused.
Because she thought Robert would change.
He never did.
Then came the trust.
Susan had been included as a secondary beneficiary because her grandfather wanted to protect her too.
But Robert discovered the trust.
He pressured Susan to sign an amendment.
She did.
Lena's voice was barely audible.
“You signed away my protection.”
“I was afraid.”
“You keep saying that.”
“Because it's true.”
Lena looked at her.
“Fear doesn't erase what you did.”
Susan nodded.
“I know.”
Then she handed Lena a key.
“This is for the final box.”
“What box?”
“Your grandfather left one more.”
“Where?”
Susan whispered the location.
Lena recognized it immediately.
Her grandfather's old office.
It had been locked since his death.
Robert had always forbidden Lena from entering.
Susan said, “Your father doesn't know about it.”
“How do you know?”
“Because I found the key.”
Lena took it.
“Where is Robert?”
Susan looked down.
“I don't know.”
“Mark said he was safe.”
Susan looked frightened.
“Mark?”
Lena nodded.
Susan's face changed.
“You saw Mark?”
“Yes.”
Susan stood.
“You can't trust him.”
“Why?”
“He was the one who convinced Robert to use your signature.”
Lena froze.
Susan continued.
“But Mark wasn't working alone.”
“Who was he working with?”
Susan's eyes filled with fear.
“I don't know.”
“Mom.”
“I swear.”
“Who?”
Susan whispered:
“The lawyer.”
“What lawyer?”
“The same man who helped your father change the trust.”
Lena's stomach tightened.
“What's his name?”
Susan looked toward the hallway.
Then she whispered:
“Richard Hayes.”
Lena didn't recognize the name.
But Daniel did.
When Lena called him, he went silent.
“Daniel?”
“I know that name.”
“Who is he?”
“He was your grandfather's attorney.”
“And?”
“And he died.”
Lena stared.
Susan had gone pale.
Daniel continued.
“Twenty years ago.”
Lena looked at her mother.
May you like
Susan whispered:
“Then who have I been meeting?”
