Nella Winters-Brooks got to her feet and smoothed the front of her light pink linen pantsuit. Her dark hair was slicked back into a tight bun, which enhanced the kind of bone structure that was God-given. Her makeup was immaculate, professionally applied to hide any flaws, and a smoky liner enhanced her expressive blue eyes.
At fifty, her mother still had the kind of beauty that turned heads. The kind of beauty that opened doors and opportunities. It was the kind of beauty that could be used, and for the first time in her life, Faith had doubts. She saw her mother through a different lens. They’d never had the kind of relationship kids dreamed of. But there had been love of a sort. Still, did she really know her mother? Could you love someone and not know them?
The subtle hint of jasmine filled her nostrils when her mother stopped a few inches away, eyes questioning as if she weren’t sure what to do or how to act.
“Faith,” she said softly. “You look different.”
“Do I?” Faith found her voice and hoped like hell her knees didn’t buckle because they were like rubber. She’d always felt as if she were living in the wide shadows Nella cast, but those days were over. She lifted her chin and met her mother’s gaze. “You look like you’ve just spent three days at the spa.”
Surprise flashed in Nella’s eyes, but she quickly hid it and glanced over to the table. “Can I have a few moments with my daughter?”
The two men got to their feet hastily and exited the room, leaving Faith alone with a mother who felt like a stranger.
As soon as they were gone, Nella grabbed Faith into her arms and held her close. “It’s so good to see you. I’ve been worried sick. You weren’t answering my messages or talking to anyone. Mr. Bradford has been trying to get a hold of you for days and days.”
Faith didn’t say a word because she couldn’t. Her throat was locked down so tight it hurt, and she pulled away from her mother.
“I know this is all confusing for you and I—”
“Confusing? What’s to be confused about? You and Michael stole hundreds of millions of dollars from people who trusted you. Employees who worked their entire lives for your company. Their retirement and savings all gone. It’s not confusion that I feel. It’s disgust and disbelief and hurt and shame.” Tears sprang to her eyes, and she swiped at them angrily. “How could you do it?”
“You think I’m guilty.” Anger flashed in her mother’s eyes.
“I think that Michael wouldn’t have been able to pull this off without your knowledge because you’ve been controlling him since the day you two met.”
“I guess innocent until proven guilty isn’t something you believe in.” Nella sighed and touched the bridge of her nose. Itwas a nervous gesture; one Faith was used to. “I know you’re upset.”
“I’m more than upset.”
“And I know that your life was upended. God knows where you’ve been this whole time or what you’ve been doing for money, but you have to know I’ll get it all back for you. I promise. This is all a mistake. A misunderstanding.”
“Did you know I had death threats? That people I’d never met sent me messages of the likes you couldn’t imagine, detailing all the horrific things they would do to me.” She leaned close. “All of it because of what you and Michael did. Declan tossed me aside like I didn’t matter. Friends I’d had for years dropped me.”
Faith stepped away from her mother because she needed some space. “At the time I thought my life was over. I thought there was no way I could come back from the situation you two put me in.” She glanced over her shoulder. “But I found a way and I’m happy and I don’t need anything from you.”
“Everyone needs money.” Nella’s expression was cool.
“But they don’t need millions, and they certainly don’t need money that doesn’t belong to them.”
“Faith—”
“I don’t know anything about your case. It’s been easy to stay in the dark because everyone from my former life is sitting in my rear-view mirror.”
“I’m sorry about that, honey. I truly am.”
“When did you get out?”
“Out?”
“Bail, mother. When did they allow you bail?”
Nella was silent, her eyes frosty.
“I guess I can google it and find out.” Faith reached into her bag for her cell phone.
“Oh, for God’s sake, I was released two weeks ago.”
Hurt, the kind that is hot and big and stings, rushed through Faith, and she stared up at the ceiling. She pictured her little apartment in Fire Lake. The flowers on her table, picked from the garden near the big tree. She thought of Taco running wildly in the backyard and the bag of apples she’d been gifted. Gus laughing at something she said. Then, kissing her until her head spun.
