“Why?”
“Because Ben did not marry your sister for love.”
The words landed exactly where he intended.
I looked at Ben.
He heard them through the phone.
“What are you talking about?” I asked.
“He married Rosie to gain control of her shares in Hale Medical.”
Ben mouthed, Hang up.
My father continued quickly.
“Your mother created a trust. Rosie’s marriage transferred voting authority to her spouse if she was ever medically incapacitated. Ben found out.”
“That isn’t true.”
“Ask him why he proposed three weeks after accessing our corporate archives.”
I stared at Ben.
He went still.
“Ask him,” my father urged. “Ask your best friend why he secretly met with a trust attorney before he bought Rosie’s ring.”
“Ben?”
His expression told me part of it was true.
My father’s voice softened.
“Sweetheart, he has manipulated both of you. I tried to protect Rosie, but she wouldn’t listen. Now she’s unconscious, and he controls everything she owns.”
I ended the call.
