Chapter 3 - The Cold Light of Reality
Dad’s face shifted from shame to panic. "Mother, don't say things you can't take back. We made a financial miscalculation, yes, but we kept everything within the family circle. You don't understand the pressures I was under."
"Do not insult my intelligence, Arthur," Grandma replied, her voice steady and deliberate. "For three years, I believed Zaden had turned his back on me. You told me he was embarrassed by my wealth. You told me he wanted to forge his own path without interference. Every letter I sent him came through your address, because you claimed his living situation was transitional. You threw my letters away, didn't you?"
Mom swallowed hard, unable to meet Grandma’s gaze. "Evelyn, you favored him. You always favored Zaden over Belle. You bought him a million-dollar property while Belle had to take out a mortgage on a townhouse. It wasn't fair. We were balancing the scales."
"I purchased that property because Zaden cared for his grandfather during his final year of dementia," Grandma said, her eyes flashing with fury. "While you and Arthur took vacations and Belle refused to change a single bandage, Zaden slept on a cot in our home, holding his grandfather's hand through the worst nights of his life. I gave him that house as an act of love and gratitude. You stole it out of unadulterated greed."
Malcolm checked his watch, entirely unaffected by the familial meltdown. "Mrs. Cross, local law enforcement and our retained private investigators have already secured the records from the title company in Georgia. The notary who authenticated the deed transfer has already admitted in writing that Mr. Zaden Cross was not present when the documents were executed. The notary was an employee at Logan’s firm."
Logan, who had remained quiet near the entryway, suddenly spoke up, his voice tight. "Listen, Mr. Malcolm. That property transfer was handled internally. My parents are elderly. You cannot simply throw them out into the cold."
"They are trespassers residing on property obtained via grand larceny and fraudulent deed conveyance," Malcolm answered smoothly. "The local sheriff in Putnam County has already been briefed. An expedited writ of possession is being filed tomorrow morning."
Belle let out a wail and dropped to her knees beside Grandma's chair. "Grandma, please! Logan’s parents will sue us! Logan will lose his consulting license! If this goes to court, we will lose everything!"
"Then you will lose everything," Grandma Evelyn said, pulling her dress away from Belle's grasp. "You made your choices when you decided Zaden’s dignity and survival were worth less than your social appearances."
Grandma turned to me, her gaze softening instantly. She walked over, taking both of my calloused, chilled hands into her warm ones.
"Zaden, pack whatever you have in your car," she whispered, tears finally pooling in her eyes. "You are coming home with me tonight. And tomorrow, we dismantle everything they have built on your suffering."
May you like
I looked at my mother, who was glaring at me with raw venom, and at my father, whose jaw was set in stony, cowardly silence. Without uttering another word, I turned my back on them and followed Grandma and Malcolm out into the brisk autumn air.
***
