“You told me Grandpa died before I was born.”
“I was protecting you.”
“From what?”
My father had no answer.
I turned to the board.
“My grandfather sent thirty-two letters.”
Richard nodded.
“Thirty-two documented pieces of correspondence.”
“None of which Nathan received,” Margaret said.
She looked directly at my father.
“Why?”
My father clenched his jaw.
“I didn’t think James had good intentions.”
Margaret’s voice became colder.
“That doesn’t explain why you destroyed the correspondence.”
My father looked at me.
“You were a child.”
“I was sixteen when the first letter arrived.”
He froze.
“You knew?”
I asked.
“You knew I was waiting for answers.”
My father’s expression cracked.
“I was trying to protect this family.”
I shook my head.
“No.”
I pointed toward the documents.
“You were protecting yourself.”
My stepbrother suddenly stood.
“Dad?”
Everyone looked at him.
He swallowed.
“Did you really take Nathan’s money?”
My father didn’t answer.
My stepbrother looked horrified.
“The three thousand dollars?”
My father finally said, “It was family money.”
“No,” I said.
“It was mine.”
Richard placed the bank records on the table.
“Three thousand two hundred fourteen dollars and sixty-three cents.”
My father looked at the statement.
“That money was used for legal fees.”
“Your legal fees,” I said.
My stepmother looked at him.
“You told me it was for Ethan’s college applications.”
My stepbrother’s face went white.
“You lied to me too?”
My father slammed his palm against the table.
“Enough!”
The room went silent.
He pointed at me.
“You think because some dead man left you a company, you’re suddenly better than us?”
I looked at him.
“No.”
I paused.
“I think I’m exactly the same person I was thirty days ago.”
His anger faltered.
“But now,” I continued, “I know the truth.”
