—How long have you known him?
My father started to cry.
—Even before the accident.
I remained completely still.
—What did you just say?
My father took out his phone.
He showed a photograph.
Chloe was sitting in a coffee shop across from Victor Hale.
The image was dated three days before Maya's accident.
—What does this mean?
My father swallowed hard.
—Your sister told me that Victor could help her recover the money she had lost.
I felt my blood run cold.
—What money?
My father closed his eyes.
—The one I had taken from your company.
For several seconds I couldn't speak.
—Did you know?
My father started crying harder.
—Chloe promised to return it before you found out.
I felt an unbearable rage.
—And that's why they kept asking me for money?
He did not respond.
He no longer needed to do it.
All my life I had worked to support people who couldn't even recognize the harm they were doing to me.
