“Aunt Rachel,” she said quietly, “I’m sorry about Mom. She’s—she’s not really like this. Or maybe she is, but it’s gotten worse since the company started failing. She’s been so scared of anyone finding out.”
“Sweetheart,” I said, pulling her into a hug, “your mom is still my sister.”
“She says things about you,” the girl whispered. “But I know they’re not true. I follow the farm on Instagram. I’ve seen the awards, the articles. I even wrote a school paper about sustainable agriculture using your model.”
Victoria’s own daughter, secretly admiring what her mother mocked.
Robert gathered his children.
“We’re going to go. Emma, Marcus, I’m so sorry. Your wedding is beautiful. Don’t let this ruin it.”
As they walked to the parking lot, Victoria never got out of the car. Through the tinted windows, we could see her hunched over the steering wheel. The Tesla finally pulled away, taking with it 15 years of carefully constructed superiority.
Two weeks after the wedding, I was in my office reviewing contracts when my phone rang. Victoria’s name appeared on the screen. I’d been expecting this call.
“Rachel.”
Her voice was small, nothing like the commanding tone from the wedding.
“Can we talk?”
I set down my pen.
“I’m listening.”
“I—” She paused, and I heard her take a shaky breath. “TechNova filed for bankruptcy yesterday. The board fired me last week. They found out I’d been inflating our numbers to investors. I could face charges.”
I stayed silent, letting her continue.
“Robert’s leaving me. He says he can’t watch me destroy myself anymore. The kids are staying with him. They won’t even look at me.” Her voice cracked. “I’ve lost everything, Rachel. Everything I said mattered.”
“What do you need, Victoria?”
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