Chapter 5 - The Apology
I led my parents into the living room. Marianne came downstairs, her eyes guarded. She stood next to me, crossing her arms defensively.
My father bypassed me and went straight to Marianne. He took both of her hands in his. “Marianne,” he said, his voice cracking. “I am so sorry. I am so terribly sorry we sat there and let her do that to you. To our grandchildren.”
My mother started to cry. “It happened so fast. We were just so shocked. By the time we realized what she was actually saying, Ryan was already packing you up.” “They are our family,” Dad said fiercely. “Ethan is my grandson. Lily is my granddaughter. Blood doesn't mean a damn thing when it comes to love. I should have thrown Carol out of my house the second she closed that purse.”
Marianne’s defensive posture finally broke. Tears spilled over her eyelashes. She hugged my father, then my mother. “They were so hurt,” Marianne whispered. “I know,” Mom sobbed. “We are going to fix this.”
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Dad turned to me. The sadness in his eyes shifted into something much harder. It was the look of a man who had just realized his sister had betrayed their father's legacy. “Do you have the original documents?” Dad asked. “They're still in the box at your house,” I said. “I only took photos.” “Good,” Dad said. “Tomorrow morning, we are calling an emergency meeting. We are getting a forensic accountant. And we are tearing Carol down to the studs.”
For the first time since we left that awful dinner, I felt a spark of hope. My parents hadn't chosen the money. They had chosen us.
