Michael’s face tightened.
“At first?”
Rebecca looked toward me.
“Then you met Margaret.”
Something old and bitter crossed her face.
Daniel whispered, “Mom.”
“I tried to be happy for you.”
Michael stared at her.
“The threats six years ago.”
Rebecca lowered her eyes.
“I sent some of them.”
I felt Michael flinch beside me.
“You made me leave my family?”
“I needed you to disappear again.”
“You told me Thomas had found us.”
“I lied.”
Thomas stared at his brother.
“I told you she was manipulating you.”
Michael looked devastated.
Rebecca continued.
“Charles had discovered your real identity. I thought if you vanished, he would stop looking at Margaret.”
“You stole six years from us.”
“I kept you alive.”
I stepped around Michael.
“No.”
Everyone looked at me.
“You don’t get to call theft protection.”
Rebecca’s face crumpled.
Mercer laughed.
“You were always sentimental, Rebecca.”
She turned.
“Don’t.”
Mercer ignored her.
