She saw me and began tearing up instead of smiling.
“Wesley?”
I hurried over.
“Honey, what’s going on?”
She tightened her hold on Miles.
“Are you really home?”
“Of course I am.”
Then came her unforgettable whisper.
“Please tell me you didn’t know what they were doing.”
My stomach knotted.
“Know what?”
She glanced toward the corridor.
“Your mother told me you wanted her to take control of everything while you were away.”
I sat beside her.
“What do you mean?”
“She took my phone whenever I tried to call you. She said I was making you anxious and distracting you from work.”
My hands grew cold. Natalie continued.
“Mallory used my debit card. They borrowed my car. And whenever I asked for help with Miles, your mother said I needed to learn to manage on my own.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
Her devastated expression answered before her words did.
