“You think they’ll believe you?”
“I don’t know.”
He folded the paper carefully.
“But I’m not paying you to keep quiet anymore.”
Margaret stood.
“Vanessa, that’s enough.”
“Whose side are you on?”
“I’m on the side of treating people right.”
Vanessa looked around their apartment.
“And where am I supposed to go?”
“You can stay with me tonight,” Margaret said.
“Really?”
“Of course. You’re my daughter.”
Margaret added a condition.
“But we’ll need to discuss how you can help around the house while you’re looking for work.”
Vanessa stared incredulously.
“Are you going to charge me rent too?”
“I’m asking you to share responsibility,” Margaret replied. “That’s different from billing someone for every meal.”
Ethan got to his feet.
“We’ll sort out the move properly. I’m not going to put your belongings outside.”
She departed without a farewell.
