Maya swallowed.
“My mother contacted me when I was four months pregnant. She said she was ill. I didn’t believe her at first. Then she sent medical records.”
“What kind of illness?”
“Kidney disease.”
“Have you spoken to her doctor?”
“No.”
“Have you seen her?”
“No.”
“Maya.”
“I know.”
There was shame in her voice, but also something else—fear.
“She asked me not to tell anyone,” Maya said. “She said the people caring for her would stop helping if they thought I had a wealthy husband.”
“Who are the people caring for her?”
“I don’t know.”
“You’ve been sending money to people you don’t know?”
“To an account she gave me.”
“What is the name on the account?”
Maya looked at me.
“Hudson Family Consulting.”
I felt the blood drain from my face.
“That’s the same company my mother has been paying.”
Maya’s expression changed from guilt to confusion.
