“And the fifty thousand dollars?”
He swallowed.
“Margaret wanted to help Sarah get a small apartment and pay off what she owed. She had been saving money for years, and she wanted Sarah to have some stability before you met.”
I looked at my mother.
“Is that true?”
Margaret nodded.
“I had money set aside. Sarah had spent years rebuilding her life, but she was still struggling. I wanted to help her. It was the least I could do after everything she had endured.”
“Then why give the money to Daniel?”
“Because he offered to arrange the meeting and help with the apartment. I thought you might feel more comfortable meeting Sarah if someone you trusted accompanied you.”
I laughed bitterly.
“Someone I trusted?”
Daniel flinched.
“I know what I did was wrong.”
“Do you?”
He looked at me.
“I thought I was helping your mother. I convinced myself that if I got you to the hospital, you would understand. I never thought about how frightened you would be.”
