Harold sat down heavily against a metal cabinet.
Julian pressed both hands to his head.
“This is insane.”
“No,” I said. “This is your family.”
My voice sounded calmer than I felt.
I picked up the forged insurance policy.
For years, I had blamed myself for the distance in my marriage. I believed Julian’s resentment came from business pressure, from pride, from the humiliating burden of debt.
I had made excuses for his cruelty.
I had confused endurance with devotion.
Now the final illusion collapsed.
He had not fallen out of love with me. He had decided my death was more profitable than my life.
Sirens sounded in the distance.
Julian looked toward the stairs.
Marian smiled faintly.
“I called the authorities before we entered.”
Panic sharpened his face.
