Chapter 1: The Question That Changed Her Face
I turned fully toward Jessica.
“What did you threaten them with?”
Her face changed.
Only for half a second.
But I saw it.
The panic.
The calculation.
The sudden search for a lie that could still sound innocent.
Susan answered before Jessica could.
“How dare you come here after all these years and accuse the people who have been taking care of them?”
I almost laughed.
Taking care of them.
My father was sweating through his shirt in the driveway.
My mother was washing clothes outside like hired help.
And Susan was sitting in the shade complaining about dust on her sandals.
“Where is the money?” I asked.
Jessica swallowed.
“What money?”
“The money I send every month for medicine, food, repairs, and comfort.”
She looked toward Susan.
That was her second mistake.
Because innocent people do not look for permission before answering.
“It goes to the house,” Jessica said.
“What part of the house?”
She opened her mouth.
Nothing came out.
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