He nodded.

“My stepdad and I were going through some of her things afterward. I found several old photographs. Daniel’s name was written on the back of this one.”

Maya stepped closer to him.

“He showed me the photo a few weeks ago. I recognized Dad.”

Evan looked directly at Daniel.

“My mom also wrote in some old letters that she could never have done ‘it’ without you.”

He paused.

“I want to know what she meant.”

Daniel slowly sat down.

I folded my arms.

“Then I think it’s time you explained.”

He stared at the table for a moment.

“Claire and I met through Mark.”

I froze.

“Mark? The same Mark coming here tonight?”

Daniel nodded.

“Yes.”

Maya frowned.

“That still doesn’t explain why you wanted Evan to leave.”

Daniel glanced at the clock.

“Sit down.”

We gathered around the table.

Then Daniel began.

“Mark and I were best friends when we were younger. Almost like brothers. When he started dating Claire, everything seemed fine at first.”