“No,” I said quietly.
My mother stopped halfway across the room.
My father’s expression hardened. “No what?”
“No, Mom. You didn’t scare me.”
I looked down at the hospital blanket covering my legs, then back at them.
“You disappointed me.”
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
Julian remained near the window, silent but attentive. He had heard everything I had told him earlier. He knew that the changes to my estate were not made because I was angry for one night. They were made because that night had finally forced me to admit something I had spent years refusing to see.
My father slowly placed his hands on his hips.
“Miranda, we were helping your sister.”
“I know.”
“She just moved into her first house.”
“I know.”
“She needed us.”
I stared at him.
“And I didn’t?”
My father opened his mouth, but nothing came out.
My mother immediately stepped forward.
“Of course you needed us.”
“Then why weren’t you here?”
She looked away.
I continued.
“I called you nine times.”
“We didn’t realize it was that serious.”
I almost laughed, but there was no humor in me.
“I told you I was in the hospital.”
“You said you were stable.”
“No, Mom. The doctor told you I was stable. I told you I was scared.”
Silence.
My mother looked toward Julian.
“Who is he?”
“Julian Vance,” he answered.
My father frowned.
“Why is my daughter’s estate lawyer here?”
I looked at Julian.
“Tell them.”
Julian opened his briefcase and removed a folder.
“I was asked to witness several changes to Ms. Harding’s estate documents tonight.”
My mother’s face changed.
“What changes?”
Julian looked at me.
