“You’re not invited.”
“Why?”
“My mother doesn’t want you there.”
“And what do you want?” She held my gaze. “I don’t want you there either.”
“If this is about the condo, we can talk.” A dry laugh escaped her. “I’m keeping the condo.” “You are using the condo with my permission.” “You gave me the keys.” “Yes.” “After everything I’ve had to tolerate, it’s the least you can do.”
“Tolerate?” She placed her phone on the counter. “Yes, Claudia. Tolerate.” “What exactly have you tolerated?” “Your perfect-stepmother act. The meals, the advice, the gifts, the way you always needed people to see how generous you were.”
“Did you think this all these years?” She stood. “I never wanted you in our lives. If you hadn’t appeared, maybe my parents would have fixed things. Maybe I would have had a real family.”
“What were the last ten years?” “Money.” The answer came without hesitation. “Trips, tuition, gifts, favors. Money was always your solution.”
“I stayed awake with you when you were sick.” “You wanted to feel important.” “I sat on the bathroom floor when you were heartbroken.” “You wanted me to need you.” “I helped because I loved you.” Her expression hardened. “Don’t love me. I never asked you to.”
Then she said the sentence that finally separated truth from hope. “I never loved you. I tolerated you because you kept paying for things.”
She tapped the keychain. “The party is Sunday at seven. Don’t show up. You’re not welcome.”
I waited for Javier that evening and told him every word. He went to her room. When he returned, he didn’t meet my eyes. “She’s hurt.” “So am I.” “She feels everything you did came with emotional pressure.” “She told me she never loved me.” “She was angry.” “She said she tolerated me for money.” He sighed. “I think part of what she said has truth in it.”
“What truth?” “You solve problems. You pay. You arrange things.” “The party matters to her,” he said. “Laura will be there. It may be better if you don’t go.” “You’re going.” He looked surprised. “Of course I’m going. She’s my daughter.” “I didn’t ask you to stop being her father.” “Then what are you asking?” “Not to leave me alone after she deliberately humiliated me.”
His eyes dropped. There was my answer.