Preston called her immediately.
“Did you know Naomi was pregnant?”
Silence on the other end. “Son, it’s not wise to stir up the past.”
“I asked you a question.”

The Story Continues After Part 2

PART 3: The Answer Constance Could Not Avoid

Constance let out a breath that sounded almost bored.

“I knew she had made a claim.

That is not the same as knowing it was true.”

Preston held the phone so tightly that his hand ached.

The copy of Naomi’s letter lay on the desk in front of him, her handwriting familiar even after five years.

She had always crossed her sevens in the middle.

She had written, I am frightened and I would like you to come with me to my appointment.

Even now, the ordinary honesty of that sentence hurt more than the accusation it contained.

“You signed for her letter,” he said.

“Of course.

Your divorce attorney copied me on correspondence.”

“Why?”

“Because you were distracted by business.

You asked me to help.”

“I asked you to keep my calendar in order.

I didn’t ask you to decide whether I should know I might have children.”

Constance’s voice hardened.