Reborn To The Day I Chose My Nemesis novel · Chapter 19 of 24

Chapter 19: Cut Off

The Laskers came to my father's house at six, and they came on foot.

Dad had been home since Thursday, in his armchair with a blanket and a nurse in the kitchen.

He didn't stand up.

Bryson's father came in first with his hat in both hands.

He looked ten years older than he had at the board table.

"Arthur," he said. "I voted against your daughter. I want that said in your house."

"Sit down," my father said, not unkindly.

"I won't. I've something to say." He turned to me. "I have filed papers this afternoon. Bryson is out of the family trust, off the board of every company we own, and out of the house on the river."

Bryson's mother stood behind him in her pearls.

"I let that girl into my house for ten years," she said. "I called her my second daughter. I held a cup of her tea in my hand at Thanksgiving, and she wouldn't drink it."

Her hands were shaking.

"I will say that to the district attorney, in any room, in front of anyone."

"Thank you," Dad said quietly.

Bryson's father took a folder from under his arm.

"This is the draft of the transfer your lawyer prepared for Arthur's shares. Bryson had it sent to me for my signature last month, as a witness. It's in his handwriting."

He put it on the arm of the chair.

I took it, and I didn't open it.

"Diana, I know I've no right," he said. "But I'm sorry. I'm sorrier than I can say."

I looked at him.

"I believe you," I said.

The front door opened.

Nobody had knocked.

Bryson stood in the hall in a wet coat with his tie pulled loose, and his hair stuck to his forehead.

He looked at his parents, and at the folder in my hand, and at my father in the chair.

For the first time since I had known him, he had no smile at all.

"You came here," he said to his mother. "Without me."

"I did."

"You're taking their side?"

"I'm taking the side of the truth, Bryson."

"The truth." He laughed, high and cracked. "They've set me up. All of you. That woman perjured herself, Diana got a judge who hated me..."

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