Chapter 5 - BROOKE'S VERSION
Brooke called Amanda before Amanda could call her.
Her voice was furious.
“You made Richard cancel Tyler’s tuition payment.”
Amanda almost laughed.
“I made Richard what?”
“The card declined.”
Amanda had frozen the household card that morning.
Brooke continued:
“Whatever problem you two have, don’t punish my son.”
That sentence stopped Amanda.
Tyler had hit Ethan.
But Tyler was still a child.
Amanda answered carefully.
“I am not responsible for Tyler’s tuition.”
“Richard is.”
“Then Richard can pay it.”
Silence.
Brooke said:
“He does.”
“No. I do.”
Brooke laughed.
“You really think everything belongs to you.”
Amanda looked at the account ledger.
“Arbor West. Unit 803. Four months of rent.”
Brooke stopped laughing.
“Ridgemont Academy. September through February.”
Silence.
“Sunset Cove resort. Two rooms. Thanksgiving weekend.”
Brooke’s breathing changed.
Amanda continued:
“The white sofa in your apartment. The watch you bought him. Tyler’s laptop. Your gym membership.”
Brooke whispered:
“You’re lying.”
Amanda almost felt pity.
“Check the last four digits on the card.”
Brooke did not answer.
Then:
“Richard said it was his investment account.”
Amanda closed her eyes.
Of course.
He had not merely hidden Amanda from Brooke.
He had inflated himself.
Brooke believed Richard was independently wealthy.
That he owned the mansion jointly.
That the rental-property income came through him.
That Amanda’s business travel existed because Richard “allowed her to run the portfolio.”
Amanda felt sick.
Brooke had been cruel.
Entitled.
Complicit in an affair.
But even she had been lied to about the financial structure.
Then Brooke said:
“He told me you two were separating.”
“For how long?”
“Eight months.”
The affair started seven months ago.
Richard created a separation before starting the affair.
A verbal divorce only one person knew about.
Then Amanda asked:
“What did he say about Ethan?”
Silence.
Brooke hesitated.
“He said Ethan would mostly stay with you.”
Amanda’s body went cold.
“And Tyler?”
“He said Tyler would finally have a stable father.”
There.
Not paternity.
Not secret biological son.
A chosen replacement narrative.
Then Brooke said:
May you like
“Richard said Ethan is too attached to you anyway.”
Amanda had to put the phone down before rage took over.
