“I know.”
“But I didn’t then.”
PART 31
Godfrey’s auto shop became central to the financial case.
The business registration showed him as sole owner.
The startup money came almost entirely from transfers originating with me.
He had told me he had investors.
He did.
Me.
I just did not know I was one.
Marcus found invoices showing household renovation money redirected into tools and equipment.
Selina had approved several transfers.
Godfrey had also used part of the money to pay personal debt.
When investigators confronted him, he changed his story.
First, the money was a gift.
Then it was a loan.
Then it was family money.
Then I had supposedly told him verbally to use it.
Unfortunately for him, I had saved messages.
Finish the house first.
Make sure Phedra has everything she needs.
Put the rest aside.
Nothing about an auto shop.
Nothing about a luxury SUV.
Nothing about designer clothes.
PART 32
The house was another surprise.
I had believed part of my money was paying contractors.
It was.
But the title remained in Selina’s name.
She had never added my name.
She had told me repeatedly that we would formalize ownership when I returned.
Instead, my money had increased the value of her property.
Renee looked at me.
“Do you want to fight over the house?”
I thought about Phedra sleeping in the shed behind it.
“No.”
“I want my money accounted for.”
“But I never want to live there again.”
That answer felt easy.
PART 33
Selina tried to apologize.
Her first attempt came through Carina.
“She wants to see you.”
“No.”
“She says she was overwhelmed.”
“No.”
“She says she thought she was protecting the family.”
I looked at my aunt.
“From what?”
Carina had no answer.
Then Selina wrote a letter.
My son.
I made mistakes.
I thought about everyone.
I was afraid Phedra’s illness would consume everything you worked for.
I believed Godfrey’s business could secure the future.
I never wanted Phedra to suffer.
I read that sentence twice.
I never wanted Phedra to suffer.
Yet suffering had happened every day under her roof.
I did not reply.
PART 34
Godfrey’s apology was worse.
He came to the apartment once.
I did not let him inside.
He stood in the hallway.
“You’re destroying my shop.”
I stared at him.
“That’s your apology?”
He rubbed his face.
“Fine.”
“I’m sorry.”
“For?”
“Everything.”
“That means nothing.”
He became angry.
“You want me to beg?”
“No.”
“I want you to understand what you did.”
“I made mistakes.”
“You mocked a woman with cancer because she was hungry.”
He looked away.
“I didn’t know how sick she was.”
“She told you.”
“Mom said she exaggerated.”
“You heard her say she hadn’t eaten.”
Silence.
I continued.
“You laughed.”
His face tightened.
“I was under pressure.”
“So was she.”
“She was dying under your roof.”
That ended the conversation.
PART 35
Phedra eventually asked to see Selina.
I did not like it.
But it was her choice.
We arranged the meeting in Renee’s office.
Neutral place.
Phedra wore a blue scarf.
She had gained nine pounds.
Still thin.
