Chapter 9 - The Silent Mother Speaks
"Yes," my mother answered for him.
Frank turned on her, his face purple with rage.
"How dare you?" Frank yelled at her. "After everything I've provided for you!"
"You haven't provided anything in years, Frank," my mother shot back.
"You've been drowning in debt, letting Tyler ruin us, and treating our daughter like dirt because she's the only one who doesn't need you!"
I stared at my mother, completely shocked.
She had been silent for thirty-two years.
"Why didn't you stop him last night?" I asked her, my voice trembling.
"If I had stopped him from cutting the dresses, he would have just found another way to ruin today," she explained softly, turning to me.
"I needed him to expose himself. I needed you to see exactly who he is, so you would never feel guilty about walking away."
She reached into her small clutch purse and pulled out a thick, folded manila envelope.
"What is that?" Frank demanded, taking a step toward her.
Before he could reach her, a tall figure stepped out from the shadows of the ballroom entrance.
General Sterling.
"I believe that belongs to me," the General said, stepping into the hallway.
Ethan was right behind him, his jaw set in cold anger.
My mother walked past my father and handed the envelope to the General.
"These are the real financial records, General Sterling," my mother said.
"They detail every dollar my son embezzled, and every document my husband forged to secure your loans."
Frank looked like he was going to have a heart attack.
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"Helen, you're sending your own son to prison!" Frank screamed.
"My son sent himself to prison," she replied coldly. "I am just saving my daughter."
