Chapter 9 - THE WOMAN WHO TRIED TO BUY MY SILENCE
Celeste came to see me on a Tuesday afternoon.
I was leaving the physical therapy clinic where my mother received treatment.
She stood beside a black sedan.
Perfect hair.
Expensive coat.
A smile that made my stomach tighten.
"Natalie."
I stopped.
"What do you want?"
She opened her handbag.
"I'd like to talk."
"I don't."
She smiled.
"Five minutes."
I looked toward the clinic.
Then back at her.
"Say what you came to say."
Celeste handed me an envelope.
Inside was a cashier's check.
Two hundred thousand dollars.
I stared.
"What's this?"
"A thank-you."
"For what?"
"For being sensible."
I looked up.
She continued.
"Marco is becoming obsessed with stories that aren't true. His sister has always been unstable. His father is confused."
I felt anger rise.
"His father remembers everything."
Celeste's smile tightened.
"You're a caregiver, Natalie. Not a neurologist."
I handed the envelope back.
"Then perhaps you should listen to the neurologist who already contradicted you."
Her eyes hardened.
She leaned closer.
"Your mother needs therapy."
I went still.
"Your brother has tuition bills."
My hands began shaking.
Celeste noticed.
"Two hundred thousand dollars could solve a lot of problems."
"What do you want?"
"Tell Marco you misunderstood what happened at the engagement dinner."
I stared.
"That's it?"
"And stop involving yourself in family matters."
For a moment, I thought about my mother's medical bills.
My brother's student loans.
The rent.
The endless calculations.
Then I remembered Frank crying behind his locked bedroom door.
I remembered Theo asking whether Marco was angry at his mother.
I remembered Elena holding Adrian after years apart.
I pushed the envelope toward Celeste.
"No."
Her expression changed.
"You'll regret this."
I looked directly at her.
"Maybe."
Then I stepped away.
"But I won't regret telling the truth."
That evening, I told Marco everything.
He listened without interrupting.
When I finished, he looked at me.
"Did she threaten you?"
"She implied she knew about my family."
Marco's expression darkened.
He contacted his attorney.
The attempted payment and intimidation were documented and reported to investigators.
Then he turned toward me.
"Natalie."
"Yes?"
"You should never have been put in that position."
I shrugged.
"I'm used to difficult people."
He almost smiled.
"I'm beginning to realize that."
He hesitated.
"Why didn't you take the money?"
I looked at him.
"Because your father trusts me."
Marco stared.
I continued.
"And because some things cost more than money."
May you like
For a long moment, he said nothing.
Then he whispered, "Thank you."
