“How much did you keep?”
“Enough.”
“That answer worries me.”
He became serious.
“Claire, my mother taught me something before she passed away. Money is useful. But secret money ruins people.”
I thought of Charles.
Daniel.
Patricia.
Vanessa.
All the lives bent around hidden accounts.
Lucas continued.
“I want my child to enter a family that stops keeping score.”
My child.
The phrase reminded me that he was about to become a father before he had fully met his own.
“Have you spoken to Vanessa?”
“Yes.”
“And?”
“We’re not together.”
“Good.”
He laughed again.
“You really don’t like her.”
“I’m working toward neutrality.”
“That sounds healthier.”
“Are you going to be involved with the baby?”
“Completely.”
No hesitation.
Whatever mistakes Lucas had made, that answer mattered.
“Then keep enough to protect your child.”
“I did.”
“Define enough.”
“Claire.”
“Lucas.”
“About eight million.”
I nearly dropped the phone.
