FINAL PART

The silence in the foyer was absolute. The ticking of the grandfather clock in the living room sounded like a countdown.

My mother’s face had gone white, the Caribbean tan sitting on it now like a sickly mask.

“Maya… you wouldn’t. We’re your parents. Julian is your brother. You can’t destroy your own family over a few financial adjustments.”

“You destroyed my family when you decided a beach was more important than saying goodbye to Ethan and Chloe.”

Saying my daughter’s name brought a sharp ache up into my throat. I forced it down and let the coldness hold me steady.

“You didn’t care about my family when you left me standing at those graves alone. Why should I care about yours?”