“What’s going on?”
His voice sounded low, as if he were speaking away from other people.
“Richard says it was all a misunderstanding. That the document was a draft and that someone put the wrong date.
I closed my eyes.
“And the signature?”
“He says that Dad had authorized the agreement before he died.”
“Do you have any proof?”
“You don’t want to teach me anything. He says that the folder is stored in his office.
“Then don’t argue. Ask them to send you a full copy.
I heard a murmur on the other side.
Then, Richard’s voice.
“Jacob, tell your mother not to turn a private matter into a scandal.
My son pulled the phone away from his mouth.
“I’m not going to tell you that.
There was a silence.
Then Richard spoke directly into the device.
“Mrs. Emerson, I know you’re upset about what happened at the wedding. But I think it would be wise for all of us to remain calm. My family has done so much for Jacob.
I got up from my chair.
“What has your family done for my son, Mr. Bennett?”
He let out a brief laugh.
“We have given him a chance to be part of an established family.
“My son already had a family.
“I didn’t mean that.
“Then be clearer.
Richard stopped laughing.
“Your husband and I had unfinished business. I don’t want a disagreement from twenty years ago to hurt our children’s future.
“My husband is dead. If you have documents that prove what you claim, give them to my attorney.
“There’s no need for lawyers.
“Then I should have no problem showing them.”
Richard was silent.
Then he replied coldly.
“You’re making a mistake, Judith.
“Maybe. But it will be my mistake, not his.
I hung up.
Jacob called me a minute later.
“Amanda’s dad is furious.
“Did he give you the document?”
“No. But Amanda came out of the room and told me something that I don’t know how to interpret.
I sat down slowly.
“I hear you.
“She told me that her dad had promised her that after the wedding, she could help me buy a bigger house. That you were going to contribute the money and that everything was arranged.
I felt the sadness turn into a kind of deep tiredness.
“Did you talk to her about buying a house?”
—Yes, months ago. I told him that one day I would like to have a house with a garden. I never mentioned your property. I never asked anyone for money.
“And what did he answer you then?”
—That his father knew people who could help us get a good mortgage.
The story was beginning to take shape.
A normal conversation between two people who were planning their future had become, in Richard’s hands, a supposed authorization to dispose of my assets.
“Jacob, I need you to do something.
“Whatever.
“Don’t promise anything. Don’t accept money. Don’t sign documents. And don’t let anyone convince you that you must choose between your marriage and the truth.
He was slow to respond.
“Amanda says that if I keep investigating, our marriage won’t survive.
“That’s something you’ll have to decide.
“Aren’t you going to tell me that I must leave her?”
“No. Because I am not the one who has to live with you or who must decide what kind of husband you want to be. But I can tell you that a marriage is not sustained by forcing one person to ignore the lies of the other.
Jacob let out a sigh.
“I think I need to go home.
“Ours?”
“Yes. Just for tonight.
I didn’t have to ask him why.
He had spent the previous night among people who demanded silence to protect a story that seemed less and less credible.
“The door is open,” I said.
When he arrived, he had a small suitcase and an exhausted face.
I didn’t set up a special room for him or ask him if he wanted him to call someone.
I gave him a blanket, a pillow, and a glass of water.
“You can sleep in your old room.
He looked down the hallway.
“Do you still keep my things?”
“Some.
Jacob smiled sadly.
“I thought you would have thrown everything away years ago.
“Your father wouldn’t have left me.
He went upstairs.
I stood in the kitchen, staring at the cup I had left on the table.
Half an hour later, I heard footsteps.
Jacob returned with a cardboard box in his hands.
It was the box where we kept some of his childhood things.
He placed it on the table and lifted the lid.
Inside was the drawing of the woman with a wooden cloak and spoon.
The same one Harold had kept in the black book.
