I almost laughed.
For years, I had remembered birthdays she forgot, paid expenses she hid, and defended her whenever Serena questioned how often Benjamin needed money.
I had called Genevieve elegant, capable, busy, misunderstood.
All that loyalty had purchased me one line of text.
You weren’t invited.
“I wanted you to love my son,” I said.
“I did not realize that meant helping him use me.”
Benjamin spun around.
“I never used you.”
I removed several pages from the folder.
“March eighth.
You told me the mortgage payment was short because a client paid late.
April eighth, the same amount transferred automatically.
May, June, July, every month after that.
When did the emergency end?”
He said nothing.
“August fourteenth.
Genevieve said the insurance premium would be repaid after her annual bonus.”
Genevieve looked away.
“No repayment came.”
“That year was difficult,” she said.
“September second.
Country club dues.
You told me the membership was essential for Benjamin’s work.”
“It was.”
“The business account received money the same week.”
Benjamin stepped toward me.
“That account was meant to build something for the family.”
“Then why did you hide it?”
“I did not hide it.”
“What is the business called?”
He opened his mouth.
No answer came.
Wesley lifted the printed page.
“The bank’s payment descriptor identifies Kelley Strategic Holdings.”
Genevieve stared at Benjamin.
“I have never heard that name.”
He looked suddenly smaller.
“It was preliminary.”
“How much went into it?” she demanded.
I answered.
“Twelve hundred dollars each month for nineteen months.”
Genevieve’s face lost its color.
“That is more than twenty-two thousand dollars.”
“Yes.”
“Where is it?”
Benjamin’s voice dropped.
“I used some of it for business development.”
Wesley asked, “What kind?”
Benjamin looked toward the door.
No one moved to stop him.
That seemed to unsettle him more than resistance would have.
“Networking.
Travel.
Client entertainment.”
Genevieve gave a short, disbelieving laugh.
