Chapter 9 - Eight Million Reasons
The $8.4 million was eventually traced into a network of investment accounts and obligations associated with Vincent's unauthorized transactions. Recovery would require legal proceedings; not every dollar could simply be moved back with a phone call.
Lena pursued remedies to protect my rights while Thomas's board dealt with its own fiduciary and financial problems.
I kept going to prenatal appointments. I kept preparing the little corner of my bedroom where the crib would stand. I washed tiny pajamas and wondered which parts of Thomas our daughter might inherit.
One afternoon, Sarah asked for a conversation through our attorneys.
“Vincent promised he'd make me a partner in one of his ventures,” she said. “I liked believing I was smarter than everyone else.”
“You knew I was pregnant.”
“Yes.”
“You knew I had been cut off.”
“Yes.”
“Then don't tell me this was only about money.”
She began to cry.
“I wanted Thomas. I didn't want him looking back.”
I felt sorrow for the life she had chosen, but no duty to comfort her.
Afterward, Lena asked how I was holding up.
“I'm tired of being a problem rich people discuss in rooms I'm not invited into.”
“Then we'll keep making sure your legal voice is in the room,” she said.
That evening, Thomas left a package at my attorney's office. It contained the missing letters I'd sent during the separation, unopened and neatly bundled.
At the top was my first ultrasound photograph.
He had finally seen it.
May you like
On the back, I'd written the name I had chosen if the baby was a girl.
Lily.
