Page 62 of What the Wife Knew

Mom stopped in the middle of making a grilled cheese sandwich. “Why do people keep coming to this house?”

“I ask myself that question all the time. It’s not as if I’m a good hostess.” I’d had more visitors since Richmond died than I had my entire life before then. “This time it’s Portia.”

“Richmond’s kid? Tell her to run back home to her bitchy mommy.”

There was that lack of compassion I knew all too well. It kicked to the surface with ease. Back in school I had to attend these programs where the police would talk about safety and tell us to search for a law enforcement person if we needed help. If we didn’t see one then reach out to a nearby woman. Knowing what my mom was like I always laughed at that suggestion.

I glanced at the security app video and saw Portia, head down, shifting her weight from foot to foot, with Kathryn hovering behind her. Just as expected.

Mom grabbed the phone out of my hand. “Is that—”

“Thebitchy mommy. Kathryn.” I threw the bag of peas on the counter.

“Do not let her in this house.” Mom issued the command while waving a spatula around.

“Kathryn is not great with being told no.”

“You have all the power here, Addison.”

“Tell her.” I could smell burning cheese. “You should flip that.”

Mom made the same annoyingtsk-tsksound that played as the soundtrack to every memory I had from growing up. “This is disappointing.”

“At least I’m consistent.” But burning food and scolding would have to wait. I blocked both like I had to block so much relating to Mom. “You should go upstairs.”

Mom’s expression could only be described as chilling. “I am not hiding.”

Yeah, great plan. “Kathryn shouldn’t see you, or can she?”

There was so much I didn’t know. Mom fed me information in pieces, not caring if any of those missing pieces destroyed me.

“She’s lucky you’re such a softie because I would leave her outside in the dirt.” Mom waved the spatula at me a second time. “Let the dragon lady in.”

“This should be fun.”

I barely got the door open when Kathryn burst inside and headed for the kitchen. She got as far as the doorway, saw Mom, and slid to a stop.

Time for introductions. “Kathryn and Portia, this is my mother, Lizzy.”

Kathryn’s gaze roamed over Mom without any hint of recognition. Mom had dressed up to make her late breakfast, or early lunch, or whatever meal this was. The blue shirtdress andmatching sandals didn’t look as comfortable as my lounge pants and bunny slippers but were very pretty.

Had she put on makeup? Now I worried she’d asked Elias to stop by. The poor bastard.

“Your mother.” Kathryn loaded a lot of disapproval into those two words.

I didn’t have the mental strength for this today. “I assume you knew I had one.”

“Richmond never mentioned relatives.”

Mom finally lowered the spatula. “I doubt your ex discussed private family matters with you. He wanted you out of his life. That’s why you were the ex.”

Kathryn’s mouth dropped open. “Excuse me?”

Oh, boy.

Portia moved beside me, dragging my attention away from the brewing brawl. “Are you okay? We heard you were attacked.”

“Oh, please.” Kathryn scoffed. “Is that rumor even true?”

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