PART 16
Renee hired a forensic accountant.
His name was Marcus Bell.
He traced the money I had sent.
The numbers made me sick.
In four years, I had transferred ninety-six thousand eight hundred dollars to Selina.
Another seven thousand in holiday bonuses.
More than one hundred thousand total.
Only three thousand four hundred could be linked to Phedra.
Most of that was before her cancer diagnosis.
After diagnosis, less than one thousand went toward medical care.
Meanwhile, thirty-one thousand went into the house.
Twenty-seven thousand went toward Godfrey’s business.
Nine thousand went toward the SUV.
Thousands more disappeared through cash withdrawals.
Designer stores.
Restaurants.
Travel.
Electronics.
Furniture.
I stared at the report.
Marcus said.
“There may be more.”
“There’s always more when families mix accounts like this.”
I whispered.
“She was starving.”
He looked at me.
“I know.”
PART 17
Phedra began treatment again.
The doctors were careful.
Her body was weak.
They first focused on stabilizing her.
Nutrition.
Fluids.
Blood counts.
Pain management.
Then treatment.
I rented a small apartment near the hospital.
Two bedrooms.
Nothing fancy.
I bought her soft pajamas.
Slippers.
A blanket.
A new phone.
The first night there, she stared at the refrigerator.
It was full.
She began crying.
I asked.
“What’s wrong?”
She pointed.
“There’s food.”
That sentence nearly destroyed me.
I opened the refrigerator.
“Then eat whatever you want.”
She shook her head.
“I don’t know what I’m allowed to take.”
I had to turn away.
After months of being punished with food, my wife was asking permission to eat in her own apartment.
I knelt in front of her.
“Everything here is yours.”
“You never need permission from me to eat.”
“Ever.”
She nodded.
Then cried harder.
PART 18
The trap needed one final step.
I called Selina.
“I need everyone at the house Saturday.”
“For what?”
“The settlement.”
Her voice brightened.
“It came?”
“Almost.”
“I need to explain the structure.”
“Bring Godfrey.”
“And anyone involved with the money I sent.”
She said.
“Of course.”
Then asked.
“Should Phedra come?”
I looked at my wife.
She shook her head.
I said.
“No.”
Selina sounded relieved.
“Probably better.”
“She doesn’t understand financial matters.”
Phedra closed her eyes.
Renee sat beside me.
She whispered.
“Good.”
PART 19
Saturday afternoon, I arrived at the house alone.
Selina had prepared food.
Ironically.
For once, she was the one cooking.
Godfrey wore a suit.
My aunt Carina was there.
So was Godfrey’s wife, Naomi.
Two cousins sat in the living room.
Everyone had heard about the million.
Of course they had.
Selina hugged me.
“My successful son.”
I looked over her shoulder.
The storage shed was visible through the kitchen window.
The place where my sick wife had slept.
I hugged nobody back.
Godfrey slapped my shoulder.
“So.”
“Ready to change our lives?”
I smiled.
“Yes.”
“I am.”
