Part 150 (1/2)

sure.

”You're nothing like her. Nothing. You were nothing like her when you

came to us, nothing like her now.”

”She sold me to Dad.”

”Oh G.o.d.” Bev pressed both hands to her face, then let them drop. ”It

wasn't like that, Emma.”

”He gave her money. She took it. I was like some piece of merchandise

they pa.s.sed between them, and foisted off on you.”

”No!” She sprang up, clattering china. ”That's a cruel thing to say,

and a stupid one. Yes, he paid her. He'd have paid her whatever it

took to keep you safe.”

”She said he did it to preserve his image.”

”She's a liar.” She walked over, took both of Emma's hands. ”You listen

to me. I remember the day he brought you home, the way you looked. The

way he looked. He was nervous, maybe even frightened, but he was

determined to do what was right for you. Not because of some b.l.o.o.d.y

public image, but because you were his.”

”And every time he looked at me, every time you looked, you must have

seen her.”

”Not Btian. Never Brian.” She sighed, and putting an arm around Emma's

shoulders, lowered to the sofa. ”Maybe I did at first. I was young.

Christ, the same age you are now. We were wildly in love, planning to

be married. I was pregnant with Darren. And then suddenly there you

were-a part of Brian I'd had nothing to do with. I was terrified of

you. Maybe I even resented you. The truth was, I didn't want to feel

anything for you. Oh maybe a little pity.” When Emma pulled away, Bev