“She said that?”
He nodded.
“So you made neglect my inheritance instead.”
His face crumpled.
For one second, I regretted the words.
Then I realized I had not said them to wound him.
I had said them because they were true.
Dr. Vale spoke gently but firmly.
“Richard, keeping danger from a child is protection. Keeping love from her is not.”
I looked at my father.
“You pushed me away outside today. Not ten years ago. You saw me soaked in the rain and told me to stay out of sight.”
He flinched.
“You gave my ticket to Brianna. You let me believe I was nothing to you.”
His lips parted, but no defense came.
“I don’t know what part of that was fear and what part was habit,” I said. “But I can’t keep carrying the difference for you.”
A tear slid down his cheek.
“I’m sorry.”
