Chapter 6 - Margaret Finally Learns the Truth
Margaret was packing silverware when Andrew returned.
Not clothes.
Silverware.
She had opened the dining room cabinet and was wrapping antique pieces in towels.
Andrew stood in the doorway.
“What are you doing?”
Margaret didn’t look up.
“These belonged to your grandmother.”
“No.”
She stopped.
“What?”
Andrew walked toward the cabinet.
“They belong to the house.”
“This is our house.”
“No, Mother.”
His voice was exhausted.
“It isn’t.”
Margaret stared at him.
Andrew placed his cardboard box on the table.
“Mariana owns it.”
Margaret laughed.
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
“I saw the documents.”
Silence.
“She bought the mortgage years ago.”
Margaret slowly sat down.
“No.”
“Yes.”
“Your father left this house to you.”
“My father left me a property drowning in debt.”
Margaret’s mouth tightened.
“Your father was a brilliant businessman.”
“Apparently he wasn’t.”
“Andrew!”
“I’m done pretending.”
Margaret stared at him.
Then she said the one thing Andrew didn’t expect.
“This is Mariana’s fault.”
He laughed.
Margaret looked offended.
“You think this is funny?”
“No.”
Andrew shook his head.
“I think it’s incredible.”
“What?”
“You still think she did this to us.”
“She did.”
“No.”
Andrew pointed toward himself.
“I did.”
Margaret stared.
“I hit her.”
“She embarrassed Brenda.”
“Brenda lied.”
Margaret’s face changed.
“What?”
Andrew told her about the video.
For once, Margaret had nothing to say.
Then Andrew continued.
“Mariana paid our debts.”
Margaret looked away.
“She paid for the house.”
Silence.
“She financed my company.”
Margaret’s eyes lowered.
“She paid for your cars.”
Margaret snapped her head up.
“My cars?”
“Yes.”
“That Bentley was your anniversary gift to me.”
“Paid for with a credit line backed by her family.”
Margaret sat completely still.
Andrew looked around the dining room.
Four years of memories suddenly felt different.
Every party.
Every renovation.
Every expensive vacation.
Every time Margaret had mocked Mariana for being poor.
The irony was unbearable.
Then the front door opened.
Brenda entered carrying two suitcases.
Andrew turned.
“What are you doing here?”
Brenda stopped.
“I need somewhere to stay.”
“No.”
Her face changed.
“Andrew.”
“No.”
“My apartment lease was terminated.”
Andrew laughed bitterly.
“Of course it was.”
Brenda stepped closer.
“You promised you’d take care of me.”
“I promised a lot of stupid things.”
Her eyes hardened.
“So that’s it?”
“That’s it.”
Brenda looked toward Margaret.
“Say something.”
Margaret remained silent.
Brenda’s expression changed.
The frightened mistress disappeared.
Something colder replaced her.
“You think you can just throw me away?”
Andrew stared at her.
“You framed my wife.”
“You chose me over her.”
Andrew flinched.
Brenda stepped closer.
“You told me everything.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Your company.”
Andrew’s face changed.
“Your debts.”
Margaret slowly stood.
“Your offshore accounts.”
Andrew stared at Brenda.
“What offshore accounts?”
Brenda smiled.
It was small.
Dangerous.
“The ones you never told Mariana about.”
Andrew’s blood ran cold.
Brenda picked up her suitcase.
“You’re not the only person who kept secrets.”
Then she walked out.
Andrew stood motionless.
Because Brenda was right.
There was one secret Mariana still didn’t know.
May you like
And if she discovered it...
Losing the mansion would be the least of his problems.
