Chapter 9 - THE GRANDMOTHER WHO DESTROYED A FAMILY
Margaret Sullivan denied everything.
At first.
She claimed Claire had misunderstood the divorce.
She said Nathan had merely delivered a message.
She insisted Ethan had known about the pregnancy.
But the evidence told a different story.
Travel records placed Ethan in New York on the night of the confrontation.
Old financial records showed payments from Margaret to Nathan around the same time.
Archived emails revealed instructions concerning the divorce agreement.
And a former household employee agreed to provide a statement about what she'd witnessed.
Her name was Helen Price.
She had worked for Margaret for twenty-two years.
When Lucas interviewed her, she cried.
“I should have said something.”
I sat across from her.
“What did you see?”
Helen looked down.
“Mrs. Sullivan told Nathan to wear Ethan's coat.”
My stomach tightened.
“She said Claire needed to believe Ethan wanted her gone.”
I closed my eyes.
Helen continued.
“Afterward, Mrs. Sullivan told me to destroy the coat.”
I stared.
“Why?”
“Because Nathan had been seen outside the house.”
Ethan sat beside me.
He looked physically ill.
Helen turned toward him.
“I'm sorry, Mr. Sullivan.”
He shook his head.
“Why didn't you tell me?”
She began crying.
“Your mother threatened my pension. My husband's medical insurance. Everything.”
I understood that fear.
Margaret had used money against everyone.
Against me.
Against Helen.
Against Nathan.
Even against her own son.
Ethan stood.
“I need to speak to my mother.”
Lucas raised a hand.
“Through counsel. We need to preserve the evidence and avoid anything that could complicate legal proceedings.”
Ethan nodded reluctantly.
He looked at me.
“Claire, I'm sorry.”
I stared.
He continued.
“I know those words aren't enough.”
“No,” I whispered.
“They aren't.”
He nodded.
Then said something I hadn't expected.
“But I'm going to spend the rest of my life making sure Noah and Sophie never have to wonder whether I wanted them.”
I looked down.
May you like
For the first time, I believed he might mean it.
---
Related Stories
