“I should have told Emily to stop.”
“Yes.”
He swallowed.
“Can I come in?”
Margaret stepped aside.
Daniel entered the living room, glancing around at the furniture he had helped her move years earlier. The house smelled of coffee and lemon polish. Everything was familiar, but he moved through it like a guest.
Margaret pointed toward the chair opposite hers.
He sat.
She remained standing.
“I need you to understand something,” she said. “The payment is canceled. That decision is not being negotiated.”
Daniel nodded.
“I understand.”
“No, you understand that the money stopped. I’m not sure you understand why.”
His shoulders lowered.
“I failed you.”
“That is closer.”
He looked up at her.
“I was embarrassed.”
“About what?”
“My business. The company collapsed, and I felt like everyone knew I had failed.”
“I didn’t think you failed.”
“I did.”
“So you let me help.”
“Yes.”
“And then?”
He looked at the floor.
“Then I got used to it.”
Margaret sat across from him.
“Did Emily know?”
Daniel’s expression changed.
“Know what?”
“That you were asking me for help because you were afraid.”
He rubbed his palms together.
“At first, no.”
“And later?”
“I told her some of it.”
“Some?”
“I told her my mother was helping with the mortgage.”
“Did you tell her how much?”
Daniel didn’t answer.
