At the bottom of the driveway, the heavy iron gate began sliding shut.
Vanessa turned.
“What are you doing?”
“Closing my gate.”
“Open it!”
“Your vehicle is still on the driveway.
You have time to leave.”
Richard took another step forward.
“That gate is a little theatrical, don’t you think?”
“Not particularly.”
Vanessa’s cheeks flushed.
“You can’t treat us like strangers!”
I looked directly at her.
“You treated me like a burden when I needed somewhere to sleep.
You don’t get to treat me like family now that you want something from me.”
For the first time, nobody answered.
The gate reached its final position.
A metallic latch clicked.
Richard’s expression changed.
Not to embarrassment.
Not to shame.
Something colder.
“Your husband and I had unfinished business,” he said quietly.
“Then I’m afraid it will remain unfinished.”
He looked toward the land beyond the house.
