«You told me she had nothing. You watched me struggle through school while you kept this from me. And now, you want me to believe you care about my well-being?»
Mom’s voice cracked.
«Sam, we were just trying to protect you.»
«No,» I cut in sharply. «You were protecting yourselves.»
They had no reply to that. When the meeting ended, Michael slid the final paperwork to me. My signature was crisp and sure.
It was done. As we stood, I met my father’s eyes one last time.
«You were right about one thing. This is the family’s future. The difference is, I’m not giving it back.»
Rebecca and I walked out into the sunlight together.
My phone buzzed. A text from an unknown number. We need to talk.
Please. I turned the screen off without replying. For the first time in years, the silence felt like mine.