Montgomery’s attorneys.”
“I know.”
She wiped beneath one eye.
“I hated you.”
The confession surprised me.
“Why?”
“Because Mark made you sound controlling.”
“How?”
“He said you refused to release his inheritance.”
I stared at her.
“There is no inheritance while I am alive.”
“I understand that now.”
“He told me you used money to punish him.”
I thought of college tuition.
The down payment on his first house.
The business loan I quietly guaranteed when he was thirty-four.
The medical bills I covered after his accident.
I had never demanded repayment for any of it.
“He said you kept him dependent.”
Amber’s voice softened.
“So every time you offered to help us, I saw manipulation.”
I finally understood five years of coldness.
It did not excuse her behavior.
But it explained some of it.
“You still chose what you said downstairs.”
“Yes.”
“No lie from Mark forced those words from your mouth.”
“I know.”
“Good.”
She nodded.
Tears gathered in her eyes.
“I’m not asking you to forgive me.”
“That is wise.”
“I’m asking you to believe that I did not know what he was doing with your company.”
“I don’t know what I believe yet.”
She accepted that answer.
My phone vibrated.
Victor checked his own phone simultaneously.
His expression darkened.
“What?”
“Security found Mark in the parking garage.”
“Doing what?”
“Removing documents from his vehicle.”
Amber stood abruptly.
“The black bag?”
Victor read the message.
“Yes.”
My pulse quickened.
“Did security stop him?”
“They asked whether he needed assistance.”
“And?”
“He refused.”
“Where is he now?”
“Coming upstairs.”
Amber turned pale.
“How does he know where we are?”
I looked toward the door.
“He knows me.”
Thirty seconds later, someone pounded against it.
“Mom!”
Amber jumped.
Victor moved toward the entrance.
“Mrs.
Montgomery?”
“Open it.”
He did.
Mark rushed inside carrying the black bag.
His face was red.
His shirt clung damply around his collar.
He stopped when he saw Amber.
“You.”
She stood.
“Yes.”
“You went through my office.”
“You forged my signature.”
Mark dropped the bag beside him.
“Stop saying things you don’t understand.”
Amber laughed bitterly.
“That sentence used to work better.”
He looked toward me.
“Mom, she is trying to destroy me.”
I studied my son.
“No.”
“You seem to have been doing that without assistance.”
His expression hardened.
“Whose side are you on?”
The question broke something inside me.
“This is not a schoolyard fight.”
“I am on the side of facts.”
He pointed toward Amber.
“She stole confidential documents.”
Amber stepped toward him.
“They had my name on them.”
Mark ignored her.
I spoke.
“Did you forge Amber’s signature?”
“No.”
“Did you forge mine?”
“No.”
