She looked older than I remembered. Her hair was neatly styled, but the confidence that had once made every room feel like her territory had diminished.
“I won’t stay long,” she said.
I waited.
She handed me the envelope.
Inside was a letter from Daniel’s family lawyer concerning the final arrangements for certain personal financial matters. I read it, then looked up.
“Is there something else?”
Vivian clasped her hands.
“Arthur says you have made your decision about the family.”
“My decision about what?”
“About keeping your distance.”
I took a breath.
“I am not keeping distance to punish you. I am keeping distance because the way you treated me was harmful, and I will not return to that situation.”
Her eyes filled with tears.
“You don’t understand what this has done to Arthur.”
“I understand that there have been consequences.”
“He has lost business relationships. People who once admired him now ask questions. Daniel has been under enormous pressure.”
