Before hanging up, he said one final thing.
“Damian.”
“Yes?”
“Bring her tonight.”
“I will.”
I ended the call.
Phedra looked at me.
“Are we going?”
“Yes.”
Selina stepped forward.
“You can’t take her without preparing anything.”
I stared at her.
“Preparing what?”
“The hospital costs.”
“I’ll handle it.”
“You don’t have that kind of money.”
I looked at her.
For the first time, I smiled.
It wasn’t a happy smile.
It was the kind of smile a person makes when he knows something the other person doesn’t.
“Actually, Mother…”
I paused.
“…I do.”
Godfrey’s eyes narrowed.
“What are you talking about?”
I put my phone away.
“I received a settlement.”
Selina went completely still.
“What settlement?”
“From the company.”
“What company?”
“The metalworking company.”
Godfrey stepped closer.
“How much?”
I didn’t answer immediately.
I looked at Phedra.
She needed to leave.
She needed medicine.
She needed food.
She needed a safe place to sleep.
Everything else could wait.
But I knew something else.
The moment I mentioned money, the room had changed.
Not because they cared about Phedra.
Because they cared about me.
Or more accurately…
They cared about what they thought I still had.
I finally said,
“One million dollars.”
Nobody breathed.
Godfrey’s mouth opened slightly.
Selina’s eyes widened.
Even Phedra looked stunned.
“A million?” Godfrey whispered.
I nodded.
“After four years of work, the company settled a claim involving an injury I suffered.”
Godfrey stared at me.
“You’re serious?”
“Yes.”
Selina immediately changed her expression.
The anger disappeared.
The accusation disappeared.
Suddenly, she looked like my mother again.
The loving mother I remembered from childhood.
She walked toward me.
“My son…”
I stepped back.
She stopped.
“We didn’t know,” she said softly.
“Know what?”
“That you had received so much.”
