Chapter 8

The doorbell rang.

I opened the door to find Mr. Turner standing outside, looking troubled.

"Ms. Shaw, Mr. Quinn asked me to deliver a document," he said.

I took it and opened it up. It was a draft statement.

The wording was respectful.

It said: "I lost control of my emotions during the divorce and caused distress to Mr. Quinn and Ms. White. I sincerely apologize.

"I acknowledge that I was not involved in the management of Quinn Enterprises during its early days, nor did I ever question Ms. White's reputation."

I set the statement down on the table. "Mr. Turner, do you really think I'd sign this?"

Mr. Turner took off his glasses and wiped them. "As a lawyer, I'm not supposed to tell you to sign it."

"But as a person?" I pressed.

He glanced toward the door, then lowered his voice. "Don't sign it."

I looked up at him.

He said, "Mr. Quinn is freaking out this time. That video online wasn't posted by some random person. Someone paid to promote it."

"Who paid for it?" I asked.

Mr. Turner didn't answer. Instead, he slipped a business card under the document.

"If you need an independent lawyer, call her. Don't use anyone from Mr. Quinn's side," he said.

He walked to the door, then paused.

"Ms. Shaw, take good care of those old things you have," Mr. Turner said, his tone carrying a hint of warning.

After the door closed, Aunt Julie leaned in. "Ma'am, did Mr. Turner switch sides?"

"No, he didn't," I said, slipping the business card into my bag. "He couldn't stomach it anymore."

Later that afternoon, Linda showed up in person.

She didn't ring the doorbell, pulled out the old key she still had and tried to let herself in.

When the door wouldn't open, she started banging on it, furious.

When I opened the door, I saw two relatives and Claire trailing behind her.

As soon as she stepped inside, Linda jabbed a finger at me and snapped, "You vile troublemaker! Still causing trouble even after the divorce!"

Aunt Julie stepped in front of me. "Ma'am, this is Ms. Shaw's new place."

Linda slapped Aunt Julie's hand. "You're a servant, how dare you try to stop me?"

Aunt Julie sucked in a breath from the pain, but she still didn't back down.

Claire hurried over. "Please, don't hit her, Aunt Linda"

Linda shook her off. "You're too soft, that's why she's walking all over you."

I looked at Linda "What are you doing here?"

"Sign the statement," Linda snapped, slapping the document down on the table. "If you don't, I'll make trouble for your sickly brother. I heard he's still burning dollars in the hospital to keep breathing."

My face darkened.

Claire quickly said, "Mrs. Quinn, please don't drag Stella's family into this."

Linda sneered, "If she wants to stir things up, I'll bring them up. The Shaw family is already gone. Does she really think she still has anyone to back her up?"

Aunt Julie was shaking with anger. "Ma'am, show some decency."

Linda jabbed a finger at her. "Keep running your mouth and I'll have Richard kick you out of this city."

I picked up the statement and tore it in half.

The pieces fluttered to the floor.

Linda was stunned.

I said, "Go ahead, pay a visit to the hospital if you dare. But if you so much as step into my brother's room, your family will never know peace at the dinner table again."

Claire looked at me. "Stella, don't go that far."

"Trust me, Claire, I can go even further when it comes to you," I shot back.

Claire caught Linda by the arm. "Aunt Linda, let's go."

Linda was about to start yelling again, but Claire leaned in and whispered something in her ear.

Linda's expression shifted, and she turned and walked out.

I stared at Claire's back as she walked away.

Her voice was so soft, I only caught two words.

"DNA test," Claire had whispered.

My brother, David Shaw, was living in a rehabilitation hospital.

He got hurt saving me when we were kids, and ever since, he's been surviving on meds, he's lucid only once in a while, mostly confused or out of it.

When I got to his room, Claire was already there.

She was sitting by the bed, tucking the blanket around David, looking like she actually cared.

I stood in the doorway. "Who told you to come here?"

Claire turned around. "Stella, relax. I wanted to check on David."

David's eyes were half-open, not really recognizing anyone. He mumbled, "Sis."

I walked over and took his hand. "I'm here."

Claire looked at us. "I'm glad David still remembers you."

"Get out," I said coldly.

She stayed put. "You've been looking after him for years, must've been exhausting, huh? Richard always knew, that's why he handed you all that cash when you split."

"So, everything Richard knows, you were the one who told him?" I pressed.

"Some things I figured out," Claire replied, pulling an apple from her bag and peeling it slowly. "You're the kind who shoulders everything, your brother's illness, Ryan's education, the Quinns' reputation. Keep carrying it all, and people start thinking you brought it on yourself."

I stared at the knife in her hand. "Put that down."

She smiled and set the fruit knife down next to the fruit plate.

"Stella, relax. I wouldn't hurt David," she said.

"How many times have you been here?" I asked.

She set the peeled apple on the plate. "Not that often. Richard used to have me bring money for his hospital bills."

"Which year?" I asked.

Claire looked at me. "What are you getting at?"

"Twenty-four years ago, after Ryan was born, did you come to this hospital?" I pressed.

Her smile faltered.

David, lying in bed, suddenly started coughing, his fingers grabbing at the blanket.

I bent down to help him breathe.

He mumbled, "Don't switch the baby."

My hand froze.