Chapter 4 - AUNT CLAIRE
I knew Aunt Claire.
At least I thought I did.
She sent birthday cards.
Usually late.
Sometimes with twenty dollars inside.
Mom never talked about her much.
When she did, her voice got careful.
Like walking around broken glass.
Vincent stared at Mom.
“Your sister runs Sterling Holdings?”
“I didn't know.”
“How do you not know what your sister does?”
“We haven't spoken in almost two years.”
“Why?”
Mom looked at me.
Vincent understood.
“Later.”
“No.”
Mom shook her head.
“Rory already knows enough secrets.”
I did not.
That turned out to be true.
We went to the hospital.
David had a broken wrist.
Claire had a cut above her eyebrow.
Neither was seriously injured.
Police officers stood outside their rooms.
Vincent's men stood farther down the hall.
Mom hated that.
“You don't need to be here.”
Vincent leaned against the wall.
“I disagree.”
“This is my family.”
“Your family stole from you.”
She flinched.
He immediately softened his tone.
“Sorry.”
The door to Claire's room opened.
A nurse stepped out.
“You can go in.”
Mom squeezed my hand.
Claire Sterling looked beautiful even in a hospital bed.
Some people were talented that way.
Her blond hair was still neat.
Her nails were perfect.
There was blood on her cheek.
When she saw Mom, she smiled.
“Emily.”
Mom stopped.
“Don't.”
Claire's smile vanished.
“You always were dramatic.”
Vincent remained near the door.
Claire noticed him.
Her eyes changed.
“Oh.”
“You know me?” Vincent asked.
“Everyone knows you.”
“I don't know you.”
“You should.”
Mom moved closer.
“You stole my identity.”
Claire sighed.
“You really want to do this here?”
“Yes.”
“In front of your kid?”
“You used my Social Security number in front of my kid.”
Claire's eyes went to me.
“Rory, sweetheart—”
“Don't call her that.”
Mom's voice cracked like a whip.
Claire went cold.
“Fine.”
Mom held up the payroll papers.
“Thirty-eight thousand dollars.”
“It isn't what you think.”
“You always say that.”
Vincent folded his arms.
“What is it?”
Claire looked at him.
“Business.”
Vincent smiled without humor.
“That's convenient.”
Claire turned back to Mom.
“David needed to move money.”
“So he used me?”
“He used multiple employees.”
Mom stared.
“You knew?”
Claire didn't answer.
“You knew I wasn't being paid.”
Still nothing.
“You knew Rory and I were struggling.”
Claire's jaw tightened.
“I sent you money.”
“Twenty dollars in a birthday card?”
“I tried.”
“You tried?”
Mom laughed.
“You drive a Range Rover.”
Claire's face sharpened.
“I earned my life.”
“So did I!”
The room fell silent.
Mom's hands shook.
“I worked doubles while you stole my overtime.”
Claire looked away.
Then said,
“You shouldn't have married Ben.”
Everything changed.
Mom stepped back.
“What does Ben have to do with this?”
Vincent glanced between them.
Claire's voice became bitter.
“He chose you.”
I didn't understand.
Mom did.
“You're still talking about that?”
“He chose you.”
“Fifteen years ago.”
“He was supposed to be with me.”
Mom stared at her.
“Ben never dated you.”
“He would've.”
“You invented a life in your head.”
Claire's eyes filled.
“Then you got pregnant.”
Vincent's expression changed.
Mom said,
“Stop.”
“And Dad gave you the house.”
“Stop.”
“And after Ben died, everybody treated you like some tragic hero.”
“Claire.”
“You always got everything.”
Mom stepped forward.
“I got a dead husband and seventy-seven unpaid days.”
Claire looked at her.
Then smiled.
“Maybe now you understand what losing feels like.”
I saw Vincent's hands clench.
Mom went completely still.
Then the door burst open.
A police detective entered.
“Claire Sterling?”
“Yes?”
“You're under arrest for identity theft, payroll fraud, and conspiracy to commit tax fraud.”
Claire's face collapsed.
Mom closed her eyes.
But the detective wasn't finished.
He turned toward Mom.
“Emily Carter?”
“Yes?”
“We also need you to come with us.”
Vincent straightened.
“Why?”
May you like
The detective looked at Mom.
“Because thirty minutes ago, David Sterling claimed the entire payroll scheme was her idea.”
