“I never told you.”
“Exactly.”
She smiled weakly.
“If we’d known, we could have helped you make better decisions.”
I almost laughed.
Almost.
“You could have helped?”
“Of course.”
Godfrey nodded quickly.
“We’re family.”
There it was.
The word they had used to justify everything.
Family.
I looked at Phedra.
Her lips were dry.
Her knees were shaking.
She was still wearing the same faded blouse.
Then I looked at my mother.
Gold necklace.
New dress.
Perfume.
Manicured nails.
I looked at Godfrey.
Designer clothes.
Expensive watch.
Car keys.
Suddenly, the pieces fit together.
But there was one piece I hadn’t found yet.
Where had all my money actually gone?
I needed proof.
Not suspicion.
Not anger.
Proof.
And I had already decided how to get it.
I walked to Phedra and gently put my arm around her.
“We’re leaving.”
Selina grabbed my wrist.
“Damian, wait.”
I looked at her hand.
She released me.
“Your wife needs rest,” she said.
“I know.”
“And the hospital will cost a lot.”
“I know.”
“Perhaps you should think carefully before spending everything.”
I looked at her.
“Everything?”
She realized her mistake.
“What I mean is…”
“I understand.”
I picked up my suitcase.
Then I stopped at the doorway.
“Mother.”
She looked up.
“Yes?”
“The million dollars isn’t in my account.”
Her face changed.
“What?”
“It’s in a trust.”
Godfrey stepped forward.
“What trust?”
“A legal trust.”
“Why?”
“Because after the settlement, my lawyer advised me not to touch the money immediately.”
“Can you access it?”
“Eventually.”
“How long?”
I looked at him.
“That’s not something you need to worry about.”
His face hardened.
“But you’re family.”
I smiled.
“Exactly.”
