I shook my head, my throat so tight it was hard to swallow.

“It was never sold,” I said. “He collects our rent in cash or money orders every single month.”

“He tells us if we complain about the lack of heat, the mold, or the plumbing, we’ll be on the street.”

“He told me he would call child services on me if I ever made trouble.”

Nathaniel walked back to his desk, his fingers gripping the edge of the wood.

“He told me you cut all ties with the family,” Nathaniel whispered, looking down at his desk.

“He brought me papers, Claire.”

“Signed documents showing you accepted a final settlement from Elena’s estate and moved out of state.”

“I never signed anything,” I said. “I never saw a single dollar.”

“He threatened me, Nathaniel.”

“He said if I ever contacted the Graves family again, he would make sure I lost custody of Ruby.”

Nathaniel’s face went pale, his eyes wide as the pieces of the past twelve years began to fall into place.

The expensive grandfather clock in the corner of the office ticked loudly in the quiet room.