“I know.” He cut me off without looking up. “Anya suddenly felt dizzy that day. It was an emergency. I didn’t have a choice.”
He said it so casually, as if the person who died wasn’t his mother-in-law but some stranger who had nothing to do with him.
Then he added, “You can fill in any amount you want for compensation. If it’s not enough, let me know.”
I froze, staring at him in disbelief.
So that’s what he thought—I came here for money?
In his mind, my mother’s life could be erased and replaced by a few numbers on a check?
Before I could speak, the office door opened softly.
Anya walked in.
The moment he saw her, Erving stood up and hurried over to steady her, his tone instantly gentle. “Why didn’t you wait for me in the studio? Don’t come over here by yourself again.”
Then he turned back to me, introducing her as naturally as if we were all family. “I’ve decided to have Anya move into the villa. She’s not in good health. It’ll be easier for me to take care of her if she’s close by.”
In an instant, my blood turned to ice.