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She pealed a laugh that sounded maddening. "He pretended I was more important to him than she was. He even went so far as to... as to act as if he needed me near him, needed my comfort. I felt sorry for him and I cared for him. Who do you think has made the biggest campaign contribution?"

"You mean Grant? Did something happen between you and Grant?"

She didn't nod, but her eyes said yes.

"Does my mother know about this?" She laughed again.

"Your mother doesn't even know what room she's in. She never knew about Grant and I. I'm sure that Grant has strayed often."

"How can you respect a man who cheats and deceives and has no honor and no integrity?" I asked.

"How could he not be bored to death with a woman as shallow as she is?" she countered. "It would strain any man's patience and integrity,"

"But with his wife's own sister!"

"I don't want to think about it anymore," she replied instead of answering. She looked alarmed, her eyes fleeing from mine.

Was she telling me the truth or was she vocalizing some fantasy? Stranger things have certainly happened in my life and around me. I thought.

"Now listen to me," she continued, returning to her original vigorous attack. "I want you to have a different therapist, a responsible older person immediately."

"We've already had this discussion. Aunt Victoria,"

"You're being foolish. Rain." She paused, stared a moment and then nodded. "Think, look at yourself in the mirror. What good looking, healthy man is going to become devoted to you for you and not for your wealth? Don't be blind and stupid."

Cold tears froze over my eyes, clouding my vision. I had these fears always under the surface of my hopes. I didn't need her to remind me of them.

"It's not your problem." I said, my voice cracking.

"Of course, it's my problem. Thanks to my mother, we're partners now. If you become involved with someone. I become involved with him as well."

"Oh, so that's it. You're worried about the bottom line again, that net worth statement you wave like a flag around here, those documents you slip under my door behind my lawyer's back."

"I do nothing of the sort. I'm sorry you haven't signed the power of attorney. That would make it all so much easier a

nd you wouldn't be bothered by all the paperwork. You know that all you've been given, your attorney's seen and approved and it's all occurring like I predicted. I'm living up to my responsibilities, for both our sakes. You should have more faith and trust in me. Why last week. I made an investment for us..."

"I don't care about it," I said quickly. "My lawyer doesn't want me to sign the power of attorney." She shook her head.

"Every time I think there's a chance you might be more like me than Megan, you go and shatter the idea. I'm warning you. Rain, if this man, this therapist is pursuing you romantically than with or without the power of attorney privilege I'll take whatever action is necessary."

"Please stop." I begged, my tears coming faster now. "Just stop."

She nodded.

"Okay." She paused, took a deep breath which raised and lowered her narrow, thin shoulders, and then she spoke. "Now there's another bit of news to deliver," she said.

"What?"

"Don't bother to send for Jake."

"What? I told you not to fire him!" I screamed at her. "I told you he works for me, not you! I told you..."

"I didn't have to fire him. He's in the hospital," she said gleefully.

"In the hospital? Why? What happened?"

"He's suffering from cirrhosis. That's a liver ailment caused by excessive alcohol,"