I felt tears gathering in my eyes, although they were no longer tears of helplessness. For the first time, I understood that my mother’s threats had power only because I’d spent my life believing them.
David picked up my phone.
“I can withdraw the financial support she’s been relying on. Her party, her credit accounts, even the arrangements surrounding that house could be affected.”
He paused, giving me time to consider what he was saying.
“But this has to be your decision, Clara. I won’t replace your mother’s control with my own.”
I looked at Leo, remembering Eleanor’s cold dismissal of his suffering. Whatever happened to her money or reputation, I knew I couldn’t return to being the daughter who apologized for protecting her child.
“Call her back,” I said. “Put her on speaker.”
David entered her number and waited as the phone began ringing.
