Susan realized her mistake and retreated.
“I didn’t say I knew anything.
I meant you’re upsetting Chloe.”
“You were laughing while her father cleaned food off the floor,” Heather muttered.
Susan turned on her.
“And you were sitting beside me.”
Heather went silent.
Headlights appeared outside again.
This time I recognized Kyle’s car.
Mara closed the folder.
“Don’t accuse him of anything he hasn’t admitted.”
My heartbeat quickened.
The garage door opened.
A minute later, Kyle walked through the kitchen carrying his phone and keys.
He saw me first.
His entire body stopped.
“Chloe?”
I gave him the same smile I had given his mother.
“Surprise.”
He looked at my suitcase near the entryway.
“You weren’t supposed to be back for another month.”
“The contract closed early.”
His eyes moved to Susan.
Then Heather.
Then Mara.
The color left his face.
“What is she doing here?”
Mara stood.
“Hello, Kyle.”
He didn’t return the greeting.
I watched him calculate.
First surprise.
Then fear.
Then a decision.
“Chloe,” he said, forcing a laugh, “whatever this is, your father caused a ridiculous scene today.”
Susan nodded too quickly.
Kyle continued.
“He showed up without warning, dropped food everywhere, started upsetting Mom—”
“Why did you tell him I was facing prison?”
Silence.
Kyle stared at me.
Heather took two steps away from him.
Susan said, “Kyle, don’t answer when she’s emotional.”
Mara’s expression didn’t change.
Kyle looked at the folder on the table.
Then at my hand.
“You spoke to Norman.”
“Yes.”
He exhaled through his nose.
“Of course you did.”
That reaction hurt more than denial would have.
No confusion.
No outrage.
No question about what Dad had claimed.
He already knew exactly what we were discussing.
“Kyle,” I said, “were you trying to mortgage my father’s farm?”
