Chapter 12 - AVIA FINALLY SAID WHAT SHE THOUGHT TALIA WAS
Avia requested a conversation.
Talia refused twice.
The third time she agreed under one condition.
Beck would be present.
Not to protect her.
To listen.
They met in Avia’s house.
The leather finance folder was nowhere in sight.
Talia noticed immediately.
Avia poured coffee.
Nobody touched it.
“I owe you an apology.”
Talia waited.
Avia continued.
“I should not have taken your keys.”
“That’s not the main thing.”
“I know.”
“Do you?”
Avia’s jaw tightened.
Old instinct.
Control the room.
Then she stopped herself.
“I lied to you about the loan.”
“Yes.”
“I told myself it was necessary.”
“For what?”
“Keeping this family intact.”
Talia almost laughed.
“You mean keeping Beck from knowing his father made a terrible financial decision.”
“Partly.”
“What was the other part?”
Avia looked toward Beck.
He remained silent.
Good.
Talia wanted Avia to answer without him rescuing either woman.
Finally Avia said:
“I didn’t trust you.”
Talia felt surprisingly little shock.
“Why?”
“You married into stability you didn’t build.”
Talia stared.
“I had a career before Beck.”
“I know.”
“You knew I had my own savings.”
“Yes.”
“Then what?”
Avia looked uncomfortable.
“You seemed… soft.”
Talia laughed.
It came out sharper than intended.
“I had a premature baby.”
“That isn’t what I mean.”
“Then say what you mean.”
Avia folded her hands.
“I believed when something difficult happened, you would panic and Beck would carry you.”
Talia thought about the kitchen.
About Wren feverish in her arms while Avia took the keys.
“You needed me to be incompetent.”
Avia looked up.
Talia continued.
“Because if I could manage my own life, Beck didn’t need you managing his.”
The sentence landed.
Beck shifted but stayed silent.
Avia’s eyes filled.
“That isn’t fair.”
“Isn’t it?”
Avia whispered, “After William died, everyone disappeared.”
Beck frowned.
“I didn’t.”
“You had your company. Your wife. Your child.”
There it was.
Not greed.
Not only control.
Fear.
Avia had spent decades being necessary.
William’s messes made her necessary.
Beck’s finances made her necessary.
Talia’s supposed weakness made her necessary.
When everyone became capable without her, Avia interpreted independence as abandonment.
Talia understood.
She did not excuse it.
“You were afraid we wouldn’t need you.”
Avia nodded.
“So you created reasons we had to.”
May you like
Avia looked away.
That was the most honest answer she gave all afternoon.
