The Sky Waited for Answers by Orin Flux 9
Chapter 9
A week later, everything was resolved.
T’irst, the house.
Because the transfer signature had been forged, the entire transaction was legally voided. The house was back in my name,
Bryson was taken in by the police for questioning on charges of forgery and suspected fraud.
Then, the savings.
Of the eight hundred thousand, we recovered five hundred thirty thousand,
The remaining two hundred seventy thousand–Bryson had gambled it away, and Melinda had spent part of it. That money was gone.
However, Melinda still had assets–property left by her two former husbands, totaling over a million dollars. After investigation, some of it was deemed suspicious and frozen.
If the investigation determined she was responsible for her ex–husbands‘ deaths, those assets would be seized.
Finally, Dad.
Marcus said that legally speaking, Dad had been manipulated, but he was still responsible.
He’d known Melinda was transferring my assets and hadn’t stopped her–in fact, he’d cooperated.
“Miss Calloway, do you want to pursue legal action against your father?”
I shook my head.
“No.”
“Then how would you like to proceed?”
“Let him deal with the consequences himself.”
Marcus nodded.
What happened after that, I heard about later.
Melinda was taken in for questioning.
Her first husband’s death had been ruled natural causes at the time, but the reopened investigation found inconsistencies.
Her second husband’s death–Bryson’s testimony played a role. Police found certain medications in her home. They were running toxicology tests.
No matter the outcome, she probably wasn’t getting out.
Bryson was sentenced to three years, with five years‘ probation. He’d pushed all the blame onto his mother, and because he’d cooperated, his sentence was lighter.
And Dad?
The day Melinda was taken away, he stood in the doorway and watched the police car drive off.
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Stepmom Cut My Funds? Should’ve Asked My Big–Shot Grandpa First
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After that, he stayed home alone. Didn’t go out. Didn’t see anyone.
Neighbors said he’d sit on the balcony for hours, staring at nothing
After everything was over, Grandpa had someone call and ask if I wanted to come to New York
1 thought about it for two days, then agreed.
That summer, I took the train to New York.
Grandpa lived in an older building, a three bedroom apartment, kept very clean.
He stood at the door waiting for me. His hair was completely white now, his back a little bent.
When he saw me, his eyes welled up.
“Renee, you’ve gotten so thin.”
“Grandpa, so have you.”
We stood there for a moment, then I walked over and hugged him,
He patted my back. “It’s good you’re home. It’s good you’re home.”
That night, Grandpa made a whole table of food.
All the dishes Mom used to love as a kid.
I ate a lot. Grandpa sat beside me the whole time, smiling.
“Renee, Grandpa’s sorry for these past few years. Your mom told you not to worry me before she passed. And you listened–you carried everything yourself.”
“Grandpa…”
“Don’t carry it alone anymore. If something happens, call Grandpa. I’m old, but I can still protect you.”
I kept my head down, eating. Tears fell into my bowl.
Later, I transferred schools to New York.
Grandpa pulled some strings to get the paperwork done. It went smoothly.
The new school wasn’t far from his place. I could visit every week.
Dad called a few more times after that. I didn’t pick up.
Once, he came to my new address in person.
He stood outside the building. I saw him from the window.
He looked so much older. His hair had gone gray. Standing there, he looked pitiful and pathetic,
Security came up and asked if I wanted to let him in.
I said no.
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Security went down and said something to him. He froze for a moment, nodded, then turned and walked away.
When Grandpa found out, he asked me, “Renee, do you ever plan on seeing your father again?”
I thought about it. “I don’t know.”
“He’s still your father.”
“But he handed over everything Mom left me to someone else.”
Grandpa sighed.
“Renee, in this life, some things can be forgiven. Some things can’t. You decide.”
I didn’t say anything.
That winter, on my birthday, Grandpa took me somewhere–Mom’s grave.
It had been over three years. This was my first time visiting.
Her name and photo were engraved on the headstone.
In the picture, she was smiling. Exactly how I remembered her.
I crouched in front of the headstone for a long time.
“Mom, it’s Renee. I came to see you.”
The wind blew past, cold.
“Everything you left me–I got it back. The house is still mine. I recovered most of the money. That woman’s in prison now. Her son got what he
deserved too.”
I paused.
“About Dad… I don’t know what to do. You said he’d take care of me, but he didn’t. He listened to that woman about everything.”
Tears streamed down my face.
“Mom, tell me–should I forgive him?”
The wind picked up, rustling through the tree branches.
I stood here and cried for a long time.
Grandpa came over and swiped my tears.
“Renee, your mom’s watching over you from above. She doesn’t want you to be unhappy.”
“Take your time with what comes next. You’re still young. You’ve got your whole life ahead of you.”
I nodded.
As we left the cemetery, I looked back one more time.
Sunlight fell across the headstone. In the photo, Mom was still smiling.
Chat Cranna First
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Chapter 9
I waved at her.
“Mom, I’m gonna be okay.”
I turned and followed Grandpa forward.
A new life was just beginning.
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
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