Chapter 4 - The Fallout
When we finally got home, the house felt like a sanctuary. Marianne immediately took the kids upstairs. She ran a warm bath for Lily. She sat on Ethan’s bed and let him vent. She didn't cry in front of them. She was a fortress of love.
I sat at the kitchen island and finally turned my phone back on. The notifications flooded in like a tidal wave. Seventy-four new messages in the family group chat.
My brother, Dave: “Carol, is this true? What $120k?” My cousin, Mark: “I’ve been struggling to pay my mortgage and you’ve been taking management fees? You told us the properties were vacant!” Carol: “Ryan is lying! He’s just angry about the Easter envelopes! It’s a complete fabrication!” Me: [Image Attachment] Me: [Image Attachment] Me: [Image Attachment]
I uploaded the photos of the ledger. I uploaded the photo of Clause 4. I didn't say a word. I just let the documents speak for themselves.
The chat went dead for three full minutes. Nobody knew what to say. The proof was right there in Granddad's signature, and in Carol's unmistakable, loopy handwriting.
Then, a text came through from my father. Not in the group chat. A private message. "I’m coming over."
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Ten minutes later, headlights swept across our living room windows. My parents' car pulled into the driveway. My dad, who wasn't supposed to be driving, limped up the front steps. My mother was right beside him, looking pale and exhausted.
I opened the door. Dad didn't even say hello. He just looked at me, his eyes red. "Where are my grandchildren?" he asked, his voice thick with emotion.
