That part, at least, sounded exactly like Cynthia.
“Why are you telling me this?” I asked.
Brenda’s eyes shone now. “Because I helped her hurt you by staying quiet. Because I wanted to believe Elias was confused instead of cruel. Because Daniel is missing, and I think Cynthia knows why.” She swallowed hard. “And because last night, after you disappeared, Elias said something I can’t forget.”
“What?”
“He said, ‘If Ella turns out to be worth what Mom thinks, Brenda doesn’t matter anymore.’”
The words settled softly, devastatingly.
Brenda looked ashamed, afraid, and painfully young.
For the first time since crawling out from under that hotel bed, I felt something other than anger toward her.
Not forgiveness.
Not trust.
But recognition.
She, too, had believed she was special to someone who saw people as ladders.
Rebecca closed her notebook. “You need representation.”
Brenda gave a hollow laugh. “I can’t afford someone like you.”
