She took a step toward Sarah, her hand raised as if she might strike her.

Dan quickly stepped into her path.

“Mom, stop,” Dan said.

“Is it true?”

Juliette looked at her son, her expression shifting from rage to desperate calculation.

“Richard wanted me to have it,” she whispered.

“He knew how much I had suffered.”

“He knew your father left me with nothing.”

“He left you a million-dollar estate, Mom,” Sarah said, her voice shaking now.

“And you’ve been letting Dan pay your car insurance.”

“You’ve been letting Annie cook for twenty people on a fifty-dollar budget.”

“You made us feel guilty for not giving you more.”

I looked at the silver watch on Juliette’s wrist.

It was new.

I had noticed it earlier but hadn’t said anything.

I looked at her leather shoes, which looked brand new and expensive.

I felt a cold sensation in my chest, despite the heat of the kitchen.

All those weekends we spent worrying about her.

All those times Dan and I argued because we couldn’t afford a vacation, but he insisted we send his mother money.