CHAPTER 12: THE CONFESSION
Daniel called me at midnight.
"Mom, I need your help," he said. His voice was shaking.
"Why would I help you?"
"Melissa's been arrested. She's being charged with fraud and embezzlement. They're saying she forged the letters. They're saying she planned everything."
I said nothing.
"Mom, I didn't know. I swear. I thought the letters were real. I didn't know she was using me."
"She's been using you since the day she met you."
"I know. I know. I'm sorry. Please—don't let her destroy us."
"Daniel, you destroyed yourself. All I did was watch."
I hung up.
For the first time, I felt truly free.
I walked to the window and looked out at the night sky.
The stars were out. The air was cool. I thought about Robert, and I thought about everything he'd done to protect me.
May you like
And I cried for a long, long time.
But when I stopped, I was smiling.
