She appeared in the hallway outside the guest room, arms folded over her silk robe, and delivered the speech she had clearly prepared.

“Your mother is confused, Luca.

She forgets things.

She’s not well.

If she’s in there filling your head with stories about me stealing from her, you need to think very, very carefully about whose side you want to be on in this house.”

“I am,” I said, flatly.