Chapter 7 - Garrett Tried to Lie Before He Knew How Much Judith Heard
Around midnight, Garrett came into the sitting room in dry clothes.
Fresh tuxedo trousers.
Open collar.
Hair still damp from a hurried shower.
He looked furious, but also careful.
Evelyn entered behind him.
Maren stood the moment she saw them.
Judith remained seated, one hand gripping the armrest.
Garrett spread his hands. “This has gotten out of control.”
Maren stared at him. “You kicked my mother to the floor.”
“She provoked me.”
Judith laughed once in disbelief.
Evelyn spoke smoothly. “Nobody is disputing that Garrett lost his temper.”
Maren turned on her. “You told him to ‘do what you need to do.’”
For the first time, Evelyn’s expression flickered.
Only a little.
Garrett shot a glance at his mother, then back at Maren.
“You have no idea what you think you heard.”
Judith said quietly, “I heard enough.”
Garrett’s jaw tightened.
“You heard a private family discussion and twisted it.”
Maren stepped closer. “Then untwist it.”
No answer.
Instead Garrett changed tactics.
“Your mother has always hated me. She has been in your ear since the wedding.”
Judith’s voice sharpened. “I hated what you were doing to my daughter long before tonight.”
Evelyn interjected, “Maren, be reasonable. Your husband made a mistake.”
“A mistake?” Maren repeated. “He assaulted my mother.”
“Don’t use melodramatic language.”
That sentence ended any remaining hope of peace.
May you like
Because only guilty people rush to rename the thing that happened.
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