Chapter 14 - JESSICA’S SILENCE
Jessica moved out of Mark’s house two weeks later.
Not because I told her to.
She had her own marriage to evaluate.
She returned to Helen with more records.
Emails she had received from Margaret.
One:
Keep Lily away from trust talk. Claire gets ideas when money is involved.
Jessica replied:
She’s seven.
Margaret:
Exactly. Seven-year-olds repeat things.
Another:
Once Evan vests, Mark has breathing room.
Jessica:
And Lily next month?
Margaret:
We’ll deal with that.
Jessica admitted:
“I knew they were trying to delay something.”
“Why stay quiet?”
“Because Mark said Harbor Row employed eighty people.”
Real employees.
Real stakes.
Financial self-interest wrapped in jobs.
“I told myself a delay wasn’t stealing.”
“Did you know Margaret called Lily illegitimate?”
“Yes.”
“And?”
“I thought it was disgusting.”
“But not enough to intervene.”
“No.”
She cried.
I did not comfort her.
May you like
Then I handed her tissues.
Both things could be true.
