Brielle stared at the floorboards.

“I didn’t know who he was.”

“That’s what makes it worse.

You thought he had nothing, and you laughed anyway.”

Her face reddened.

For a moment I saw the child who used to follow me around the garden, begging to help collect rose petals.

Then she straightened her shoulders and disappeared behind the expression she had learned from her mother.

“Everyone thinks you’re going to take Dad’s company,” she said.