Chapter 18 - The Last Lie
Melissa admitted the seventy-five thousand.
She said Walter offered it as reimbursement.
"For what?" I asked.
"Legal costs. Moving costs. Therapy for Emma and Theo."
"After Owen was gone."
She looked down.
"Yes."
"That's not reimbursement. That's a reward."
She had no answer.
That was the last lie I needed.
The criminal cases moved quickly after Peter testified.
Walter pleaded not guilty.
Grant did not.
He accepted a deal tied to fraud, forgery, and attempted custodial interference.
Kara cooperated.
Peter cooperated.
First Cumberland reimbursed the stolen trust funds and paid additional penalties.
The court permanently rejected the fake paternity claim.
Owen remained beneficiary.
Rachel remained independent trustee.
And I filed for divorce.
Melissa cried when she received the papers.
The kids started family therapy.
Emma struggled with guilt.
Theo kept asking why Mom lived somewhere else.
Owen became quieter before he became louder.
Then one night, he sat beside me on the porch.
"Do you hate her?"
I thought before answering.
"No."
He looked surprised.
"Why?"
"Because hate would make her the center of everything."
He leaned against me.
"Do you believe her when she says she loved us?"
"I believe she loved some of us badly."
He nodded.
Then he asked, "Did she love me?"
I swallowed.
"I think she wanted to. But wanting to isn't the same as doing it."
Owen stared at the yard.
After a while, he said, "I don't want her money."
"What money?"
"The trust."
"It's not her money."
"I mean Grandma's."
I waited.
He looked at me.
"When I get it, can I use some to feed kids?"
My throat closed.
Before I could answer, Rachel stepped onto the porch holding an envelope.
"Jack, this came from the court."
I opened it.
May you like
Walter Briggs had changed his plea.
He wanted to confess.
