Part 2
Daniel called at six, his voice lazy and pleased with himself.
“Remember, my father’s coming tonight. Don’t embarrass me.”
I stared at the giant covered frame in the center of the living room. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”
“And make sure Vanessa sits beside Dad. She’s been stressed.”
“How thoughtful.”
He missed the edge in my voice. Men like Daniel always did. They heard softness and mistook it for surrender.
At 6:45, Vanessa arrived first, wrapped in cream cashmere and diamonds Richard had bought with money she had been quietly draining from his charitable foundation. I knew that now because, while she had been busy sending me bedroom trophies, I had been pulling public filings, vendor payments, and donor records.
She kissed the air beside my cheek. “Still living like a catalog, Claire. So neat. So lifeless.”
“Good evening, Vanessa.”
Her eyes flicked to the covered frame. “What’s that?”
“A surprise.”
She smiled. “You really should avoid surprises. They rarely flatter desperate women.”
Richard came next, loud and expensive, carrying wine he expected me to praise. Daniel’s sisters followed, whispering and laughing as they passed me. They had spent years calling me “temporary” behind my back. Tonight, they hugged Vanessa and ignored me.
Perfect.
I served dinner calmly. Roast chicken. Lemon potatoes. Green beans. A red wine Daniel loved and could no longer afford without me.
At the table, Richard raised his glass. “To family. Loyalty above all.”
Family
