Chapter 14: The Last Dinner
Richard asked to meet one final time.
Sarah agreed on the condition that it would be at the family home, with everyone present, and that Elena would accompany her. Richard accepted.
They gathered in the formal dining room where Sarah had eaten countless tense meals as a child. The long table felt smaller now.
Richard sat at the head, looking older than she had ever seen him. Patricia sat to his right, eyes red. Vanessa would not look at anyone. Mark sat at the far end, hands folded.
Sarah placed a folder on the table.
“This contains copies of everything Maria Delgado gave me, plus the protective order, plus statements from three other former employees. If any of you come near Emily again, or try to contact her, or speak about her in public, I will release all of it to every major news outlet in the state.”
Richard’s jaw worked, but he said nothing.
Sarah continued.
“I’m not asking for money. I’m not asking for an apology. I’m telling you what will happen if you ever try to touch my daughter’s life again. You will lose everything that is left.”
She looked at each of them.
“I took your reputation. I took your control. I took your certainty that no one would ever fight back. That is all I wanted. And I have it.”
She stood.
May you like
“Don’t call me. Don’t write. Don’t send messages through other people. This is the last time we will speak.”
She walked out of the house with Elena beside her. No one followed.
