The moment she saw what was in my hand, she screamed.
“Don’t!”
I froze.
She crossed the room and grabbed my arm.
“Don’t watch that.”
I stared at her.
“Why?”
Her face had gone pale.
“Not alone.”
That frightened me more than anything else that night.
“Where is Daniel?”
“I don’t know.”
“What do you mean?”
“He left.”
“Then you tell me.”
She shook her head.
“It isn’t my story.”
Something inside me snapped.
“For twenty-two years, I’ve been married to your son.”
She flinched.
“For twenty years, his brothers have called me his second wife.”
“Phoebe—”
“He gave me jewelry that woman is wearing in a wedding photograph.”
My voice shook.
“And apparently every member of this family knows why except me.”
Her eyes filled.
“I think I’ve earned the story.”
“I’m sorry.”
“No.”
I shook my head.
“Don’t apologize instead of answering me.”
