“Maybe I never will.

But I’m glad she can say the words.”
We left the choice there.

Around the same time, the civil repayment arrangement with Mark began producing actual payments.

I kept the statements organized and applied the funds toward the costs we’d agreed upon, rather than spending them on a triumphant gesture.

We also received updates from the bank as its review continued.

Some questions remained unresolved, and some money might never be returned.