“You made it very clear yesterday that I am an embarrassment.”
Her voice hardened.
“This has nothing to do with yesterday.”
“It has everything to do with yesterday.”
“You can’t punish us over hurt feelings.”
“I agree.”
She sounded relieved.
“So you’ll restore the funding?”
“No.”
Another long silence.
“I’m not punishing you,” I continued. “I’m protecting my dignity.”
I nodded toward Daniel.
He ended the call.
Ethan buried his face in his hands.
“I can’t believe this.”
“What part? Your mother, or yourself?”
He looked at me.
“Both.”
For nearly a minute, neither of us spoke.
Then he asked something I had not expected.
“Were you ever going to tell me the truth?”
“I planned to.”
“When?”
“The day you were proud of me instead of what I could quietly provide.”
His shoulders slumped.
“I failed you.”
“You did.”
“I kept thinking I was protecting everyone.”
