Chapter 7 - VERONICA CHOSE DEREK
My sister refused to believe it.
Even after the video.
Even after the debt.
Even after Khloe’s interview.
“He never stole Dad’s watch.”
That was her argument.
“He put it back.”
“Yes.”
“So Khloe misunderstood.”
“She said she saw him take something shiny. She was six.”
“She’s confused.”
I stared at her.
“What about him grabbing her?”
“She startled him.”
“And threatening her?”
“No audio.”
That was true.
I hated that she used a legitimate evidentiary limitation as an excuse to dismiss everything else.
“Veronica, he borrowed forty-eight thousand dollars from Dad.”
“He was embarrassed.”
“He lied to you.”
“That’s between us.”
“He threatened my daughter.”
“You say.”
That ended the conversation.
“You slapped me before asking Khloe a single question.”
Her face changed.
“I was angry.”
“So was I when I hit Derek.”
She stared.
“I was wrong to hit him.”
“You expect me to apologize?”
“I expect both of us to stop pretending anger makes violence righteous.”
She looked away.
I continued:
“But I will not apologize for protecting Khloe.”
Neither of us spoke.
Then Veronica said:
“If I leave him and this turns out to be nothing, I destroy my relationship.”
May you like
“And if you stay and it’s true?”
She had no answer.
