He Humiliated His Wife at Their Daughter’s Birthday—But He Had No Idea Who She Really Was
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Chapter 16 / 27
Chapter 16 - I CALL MY FATHEREleven years.
That was how long I avoided this call.
Julian gave me a current number.
I stared at it for an hour.
Then called.
Charles Ellsworth answered.
“Maya?”
No hello.
My throat closed.
“How did you know?”
“Julian warned me you might call.”
Of course.
“I need help.”
Silence.
Then:
“Are you hurt?”
Simple.
“No.”
“Is Lily?”
“No.”
“Do you need money?”
“No.”
“Lawyers?”
“I have one.”
“Then what?”
I started crying.
“I need somewhere Richard cannot reach.”
My father inhaled.
Then:
“Come home.”
Not:
May you like
I told you so.
That saved him.
Related Stories
Chapter 17 - HOME WAS NOT A PALACEThe Ellsworth estate in Connecticut was large.
Chapter 18 - THE RING’S REAL MEANINGRichard believed the orchid ring was worth money.
Chapter 19 - WHO I REALLY WASMy direct and beneficial interests were valued, conservatively, above $1.1 billion.
Chapter 20 - MY OWN DECEPTIONI had lied by omission.
Chapter 21 - RICHARD’S COUNTERATTACKRichard went public.
Chapter 22 - LILY’S INTERVIEWA child specialist spoke with Lily.
