Ход королевы
Chapter 12
“HesaidIcouldhaveit…”SuddenlysomethinghitherwithfullforceandsheturnedtoWheatley.“I’myourdaughter,”shesaid.“Youadoptedme.Whydon’tyoutalktome?”
Helookedatherlikeastartledrabbit.“Alma,”hesaid,“Almawantedachild…”
“Yousignedthepapers,”Bethsaid.“Youtookonaresponsibility.Can’tyouevenlookatme?”
AllstonWheatleystoodupandwalkedacrosstheroomtothewindow.Whenheturnedaround,hehadsomehowpulledhimselftogether,andhelookedfurious.“Almawantedtoadoptyou.Notme.You’renotentitledtoeverythingIownjustbecauseIsignedsomedamnedpaperstoshutAlmaup.”Heturnedbacktothewindow.“Notthatitworked.”
“Youadoptedme,”Bethsaid.“Ididn’taskyoutodoit.”Shefeltachokingsensationinherthroat.“You’remylegalfather.”
Whenheturnedandlookedather,shewasshockedtoseehowcontortedhisfacewas.“Themoneyinthishouseismine,andnosmart-assedorphanisgoingtotakeitawayfromme.”
“I’mnotanorphan,”Bethsaid.“I’myourdaughter.”
“Notinmybookyouaren’t.Idon’tgiveashitwhatyourgod-damnedlawyersays.Idon’tgiveashitwhatAlmasaideither.Thatwomancouldnotkeephermouthshut.”
Noonespokeforawhile.FinallyChennaultaskedquietly,“WhatdoyouwantfromBeth,Mr.Wheatley?”
“Iwantheroutofhere.I’msellingthehouse.”
Bethlookedathimforamomentbeforespeaking.“Thensellittome,”shesaid.
“Whatareyoutalkingabout?”Wheatleysaid.
“I’llbuyit.
