“Julia.”
“You knew.”
Silence.
“You knew about Dad.”
Another silence.
“And you knew Mom was taking money and giving it to you.”
“Julia, listen—”
“No.”
My voice shook.
“For once, you listen to me.”
He didn’t speak.
“Did you know Dad tried to contact me?”
“Yes.”
My heart broke.
“How long?”
“I don’t know.”
“Don’t lie to me.”
He sighed.
“Since I was seventeen.”
I closed my eyes.
“You’ve known for that long?”
“Yes.”
“And you never told me?”
“Mom said it would destroy you.”
I laughed bitterly.
“Destroy me?”
“She said you were better off not knowing.”
“And you believed her?”
“I was afraid.”
“Of what?”
“She said she’d cut me off.”
I couldn’t believe it.
“So you let me hate a man who was trying to find me because you were afraid you’d lose Mom’s money?”
“It’s not that simple.”
