Before sitting down, she said,
“I’m sorry about what my mother did.”
I folded my hands around my coffee.
“How long have you known about me?”
She hesitated.
“Mom told me everything after she decided to move. She realized you might eventually find me, and I think she wanted to clear her conscience.”
I stared at her.
“Then start at the beginning.”
Vanessa nodded.
“I met Nathan at work.”
I waited.
“He told me your marriage was already falling apart.”
“And you believed him?”
She lowered her eyes.
“I wanted to.”
“Did you know about Joel?”
“Yes.”
“And you stayed with him anyway?”
She swallowed.
“Then I found out I was pregnant. Nathan promised he’d make a decision.”
I gave a bitter laugh.
“And he decided to abandon his wife and son.”
Vanessa looked down.
“I’m sorry.”
“Did you marry him?”
“After your divorce was finalized.”
She hesitated.
