Page 29 of The Devil Goes to Washington

“And my accident. You were at the hospital.” It wasn’t a question, as he pointed at another paper, most likely the ‘cease-and-desist.’

“I was, until your father had security escort me out. You were unconscious, but at least I had been able to find out you were stable. I knew nothing about your paralysis until I read about it in the paper.”

“You were always so strong. Why were his threats over my accident the final straw that made you leave? After as hard as you had held on to us?” He slumped back, his arms in the air, still not understanding.

“I couldn’t go to prison. I would have lost Micah. Not even you were worth that. I had no choice but to run.” She leaned into the corner of the sofa, arms crossed over her chest.

“It’s unbelievable how merciless my father was to you. I wish I could have been there for you.” He knew most of the secrets, yet he was still blaming others for their relationship’s demise.

“You were gone long before the accident, leaving me defenseless and alone in a world that was against me every step of the way.”

“Then why did you put up with it for so long?”

“I was a kid. I had just turned eighteen when you proposed. I thought that’s what love was. It’s no different from a puppy getting beaten and coming back for more.”

“You don’t think I loved you?” He looked astonished.

“You thought you did. But you’re more kind and supportive of me now than you ever were back then.”

“That seems unlikely. I’ve hardly spent any time with you.”

“Yet you introduced me to your colleagues, boasted about my designs, and sent a bodyguard to protect us.”

“That was Sabrina’s doing.”

“You still agreed to it. In college, we had fun, but I felt like your dirty little secret.”

“I didn’t see it that way. I wanted all of you, every waking minute of the day. A lifetime wasn’t going to be enough.”

“You came close, considering how much time we spent together.”

“Evie, I’m sorry. I am grieved that I caused you so much harm and pushed you away. If I had been a better man, I would have known how dedicated you were to me.”

“THAT WAS A LONG TIME ago. Remember we were leaving it bygones.”

“I know we said that, but that was before I knew all of this.” He waved his hand over the array of documents.

“That was a different lifetime. That isn’t my world anymore. Micah is.”

“Want to tell me why he makes frequent trips to the ER?”

Evelyn sighed. “I supposed you’re going to do it for me since you have my files.”

“Why didn’t he have surgery when he was younger? The sooner it’s fixed, the better quality of life. It explains why he’s so small.” He paged through the binder, not sure what he was looking for.

“If you saw the estimate and all the bills, you would know that not everyone has the luxury of getting what they need. We do our best with what we have.”

“It makes sense now why you agreed to the contract.”

“I became the gold digger your father always accused me of being. However, it is all for Micah. Without this arrangement, I would lose my reason for living.”

“There was no one else who could help?”

“Your father chased away any chance of that. I couldn’t even get a decent job without a degree and connections.”

“But what happened to your scholarship?”

“Apparently it doesn’t cover labor and delivery. Who knew?”