My son and daughter-in-law laughed when I walked into the courtroom. “Ha-ha, now we’re going to leave her with nothing,” Daniel whispered, certain the bruises they had put on my body would convince the judge I was confused, unstable, and hurting myself, but they had forgotten one important thing about me hajaji.

“You did those things, Daniel.”

He leaned closer.

“You’re my mother.”

“Yes.”

For the first time all morning, my voice shook.

“And you were my son before you became my predator.”

His face collapsed for a second.

Just one.

Then anger returned.

“You always loved Dad more.”

I blinked.

Of all the defenses I expected, that was not one of them.

He continued.

“He respected you. He listened to you. Everything was always Robert and Eleanor. Robert and Eleanor. Perfect team. Perfect marriage. Perfect business minds.”

“Your father loved you.”

“He judged me.”

“He rescued you.”

Daniel stopped.

Vanessa looked at him.

So did Curtis.

I hadn’t planned to say it.

But sometimes truth chooses its own moment.

“When your construction company failed six years ago, your father paid the outstanding payroll so twelve employees wouldn’t miss Christmas.”

Vanessa whispered, “What?”

“When you had tax problems, he paid the attorney.”