you can afford. That was always the plan.”

Linda looked stricken.

“Claire, we can’t accept—”

“You already did,” I said gently. “You just didn’t know from whom.”

Arthur’s face twisted with shame.

“We should have known better.”

“Yes,” I said.

The honesty startled all of us.

Then I added, “But knowing better can start today.”

Part 6: The Warning

The ride away from continue reading …