Chapter 7 - The Dramatic Version
Years later, people still told the dramatic version.
The elegant suburban dining room.
The chandeliers.
The long table.
The transfer papers.
The black financial folder.
Teresa blocking Natalie beside the table.
Sign over the money tonight.
The raised hand.
The single slap.
The ripped burgundy dress strap.
Natalie catching the neckline before it exposed her.
That money is mine.
Andrew frozen behind them.
Mom… let her go.
The camera panning toward the entrance.
Robert Hayes stepping through the doorway with a wrapped birthday gift.
The knife on the sideboard.
The blade lowered safely toward the floor.
Take your hand off my daughter.
Teresa’s hand loosening.
The gift opening.
The deed.
The trust.
The letter from Natalie’s mother.
May you like
It sounded like revenge.
And yes, part of it was.
