Felicia opened glossy brochures for land developments and said she could double my money in eighteen months. “Family wealth belongs to the family,” she said. I remembered her by the resort pool, telling me she lacked liquid cash for my surgery. Before I answered, Franklin opened my front door. I had called him the moment I saw their car.
He placed the settlement papers on the coffee table and explained that the injury award was protected individual property. Any attempt to pressure, encumber, or obtain those funds without my consent would be met with immediate legal action. Felicia’s smile vanished. Dad muttered about ungrateful children. Mom followed him out in silence.
Felicia glared at me before leaving. “You gave property to them and locked out your own blood.”
I looked toward the door after it closed and thought of Audrey’s cashier’s check sitting on my coffee table in the rain. Blood had already shown me exactly what it meant.
Chapter 4
They Returned Smiling Only After Learning I Had Money Again
