“It means Vanessa solved a problem for you and you never asked whether the solution was true.”
I felt sick.
“I didn’t know they existed.”
“No.”
Claire nodded.
“You did not.”
“Did you try to contact me?”
Ethan looked away.
That answer came before hers.
Claire said, “For almost a year.”
My throat tightened.
“How?”
“Phone calls. Emails. Letters.”
“I never received letters.”
“I know.”
“How?”
“Because three were returned.”
She opened her handbag and removed a small folded document pouch.
I stared at it.
“You brought those?”
“I brought them because fifteen years ago I learned that memory becomes very convenient when powerful people are involved.”
She opened the pouch.
Three envelopes.
My old company address.
My name.
Return to sender.
One had been stamped refused.
I touched nothing.
Claire continued.
“I called your office after Leo and Ethan were born.”
I looked at the boys.
“Twins.”
My voice broke.
Claire ignored it.
“Your assistant told me personal messages were not being accepted.”
“I never gave that instruction.”
“I know who did.”
Vanessa’s voice came from behind me.
“Claire.”
We all turned.
Vanessa stood at the end of the corridor.
Noah was several feet behind her.
His face looked miserable.
Vanessa walked toward us.
She looked at the boys once.
Then at Claire.
“This is completely inappropriate.”
Claire almost laughed.
