“Please don’t cut Daniel out of the business,” I said desperately. “I don’t care what happens to him, but please think about the children.”
“Good heavens, Claire, get up!”
I stood as she placed her hands on my shoulders.
“What are you talking about?”
I explained everything Daniel had told me.
Her lips tightened.
“That sneaky little—” She stopped herself. Then she wrapped an arm around my shoulders. “Come inside. Daniel clearly didn’t tell you everything.”
Inside, she poured tea and we sat at her long dining table.
“I am cutting Daniel out of the business and my will,” she said calmly. “Nothing will change that.”
“But—”
She gave me the look.
“Margaret, please don’t give me that look,” I said, gathering my courage. “If he has no income, he won’t be able to pay child support. Those are your grandchildren.”
Her expression softened slightly.
“It’s good to see you’ve grown a backbone, Claire,” she said. “But Daniel left out the most important part.”
“What part?”
“I’m not abandoning my grandchildren,” she said. “From now on, you will receive the same amount Daniel used to earn — paid directly to you from my personal account. It’s for the children.”
Tears filled my eyes.
“And as for the inheritance,” she continued calmly, “I would much rather leave my estate to the eight children he abandoned.”
I stood up and hugged her.
For a moment she stiffened in surprise, then gently patted my back.
“Thank you,” I whispered.
“I’m so sorry for what he did to you,” she said softly. “His behavior is disgraceful.”
I pulled out my phone.
“I’m going to call him.”
