"Does everyone know?" I whispered.
Nathan shook his head.
"No."
"Did Raymond know?"
His expression changed.
"That's complicated."
I gave a bitter laugh.
"Apparently, my entire marriage was complicated."
***
I sat down again.
Not because I wanted to.
Because I needed answers.
"Tell me everything."
Nathan took a long breath.
"Thomas met my mother while he was expanding his first store. She worked for a supplier. They became involved briefly."
I stared at the floor.
"How briefly?"
"According to him, a few months."
I laughed bitterly.
"A few months. What a convenient phrase."
Nathan didn't defend him.
He simply continued.
"When my mother discovered she was pregnant, Thomas offered financial support. She refused at first. Eventually, she accepted some help, but she didn't want him involved in raising me."
"Why?"
"Because he was married."
I looked up sharply.
"That didn't seem to bother either of them before."
Nathan lowered his eyes.
