Before anyone could respond, I pulled out a remote and clicked it. The club’s large TV screen flickered to life. What is this? Rose demanded.
This, I said, is the paternity test results I received yesterday. The document appeared on screen highlighting the match between Ricky and Rose’s unborn child. Congratulations, sister.
Ricky’s going to be a daddy. The room erupted. Rose jumped up, knocking over her water glass.
You can’t do this. I already did. I clicked again.
Photos of Rose and Ricky appeared. Their secret meetings, the fertility clinic visits, the holiday party. You remember Ricky, don’t you Rene? Rose’s ex who she was sleeping with while trying to trap you.
Rene stood up so fast his chair fell backward. You told me he was out of the picture. She tells everyone what they want to hear, I said calmly.
Just like you told me I was the reason we couldn’t have children. Andrea, stop this immediately. My mother’s voice shook with rage.
Why? Because it’s embarrassing? Because it ruins your perfect image of your perfect daughter? I clicked again. Bank statements appeared on screen. Speaking of ruined images.
Let’s talk about how Rene paid for your house mother. Linda went pale. What? Company funds, I explained.
Embezzled of course, along with the money he’s been funneling to Rose for her pregnancy needs. Though I suppose sleeping with two men at once can get expensive. Rose lunged at me, but Mary caught her arm.
Don’t. Mary warned. You’ve done enough damage.
Me? Rose screamed. She’s the one destroying everything. No, Rose.
You destroyed everything the moment you thought you could take what was mine. I turned to Rene. By the way, your company’s legal team wants to meet with me tomorrow.
Something about being a material witness? Rene sank into his chair, head in his hands. His carefully constructed world was crashing down around him. You’ve lost your mind, my mother said.
But her voice wavered. Actually I finally found it. I clicked one last time.
A video began playing. Rose and Rene in his office, planning how to tell me about the pregnancy. Planning how to break me.
How did you get that? Rene demanded. You really should change your email password darling, and check your office for recording devices. I gathered my purse.
Oh, and Rose? Ricky’s lawyer will be contacting you. Something about fraud and emotional damages. I’ll deny everything, she hissed.
With what proof? The paternity test is legally binding. The financial records are clear. The video speaks for itself.
I smiled. But please, try to deny it. I’m sure the media would love to hear your side.
The media? Rose’s voice cracked. Did I forget to mention? Mary’s been live streaming this whole conversation to her social media. Say hi to your followers Rose! Mary held up her phone still recording, Rose’s face crumpled as she saw the comments flooding in.
You thought you loved center stage, I said softly. How’s the spotlight feeling now? My phone buzzed. Rene’s company calling again.
I answered on speaker. Mrs. Jensen, this is Howard from Legal. We need to discuss some irregularities in your husband’s financial documentation.
Of course, I said, watching Rene’s face drain of color. I’ll bring everything I have to our meeting tomorrow. I hung up and faced my shattered family one last time.
I’d love to stay and chat, but I have a meeting with my lawyer. Divorce papers don’t file themselves. As I walked out I heard Rose collapse into sobs, my mother’s frantic attempts to comfort her, and Mary’s quiet voice still narrating to her followers.
But I didn’t look back. I didn’t need to. The truth was finally out, and it was more devastating than any lie they could’ve told.
My mother showed up at my temporary apartment the next day, uninvited and unannounced. She looked older than I’d ever seen her, the weight of scandal aging her overnight. We need to talk about what you’ve done, she said, pushing past me into the living room.
What I’ve done? I closed the door quietly. Not what Rose did? Not what Rene did? I always feared you’d inherit your father’s coldness. She sat down, smoothing her skirt with trembling hands.
This calculated revenge, it’s exactly what he would’ve done. Don’t you dare compare me to him. I remained standing.
He abandoned us. I’m protecting myself. By destroying your sister’s life, your husband’s career, they destroyed themselves.
I just exposed the truth. My phone buzzed, Angela texting that she’d found something else. Before I could read it, my mother spoke again.
Rose is devastated. She can barely eat, barely sleep. Like I did for three years, I cut her off while she was sleeping with my husband, while you were helping her hide it.
Linda’s face went white. I never save it. Mary told me everything.
The girls’ lunches where you helped Rose plan how to tell me, the money you helped her hide. I pulled out my phone, showing her the transfer records. Did you think I wouldn’t find out? I was trying to protect the family.
No. You were protecting Rose, like always. I sat across from her.
Tell me something mother, when did you stop loving me? Don’t be dramatic. Was it when dad left? When I refused to play the perfect daughter role? Or was it when I started succeeding without your help? The silence stretched between us until Angela burst through the door waving papers. Andrea, you need to see this.
Oh, she stopped short at the sight of my mother. Sorry. I didn’t know.
It’s fine, I said. What did you find? Angela glanced at Linda before continuing. Renee took out a loan in your name.
$50,000 transferred to Rose’s account three months ago. My mother’s sharp intake of breath confirmed what I’d suspected. You knew about this too, didn’t you? Rose needed help, Linda whispered.
The fertility treatments, the prenatal care, the fertility treatments she didn’t need because she was already pregnant by someone else. I laughed bitterly. Or the prenatal care she charged to Ricky’s insurance? Angela handed me the loan documents.
There’s more. The bank is investigating fraud. They froze in all joint accounts.
Good. I turned to my mother. You should probably warn Rose.
Her credit cards might stop working soon. Linda stood up swaying slightly. You’re going to regret this vindictiveness.