“Frank… What is this? Marriage right after my daring escape from the facility?”
He laughed.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels
For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels
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“Dinner. Just one night. Just you and me. To make up for that picnic we never had.”
“Is this blackmail or a formal agreement?”
“It’s an invitation. And another solid sign you’re absolutely sane.”
I lifted my chin and smiled.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
“I’ll think about it. But first, business. I’ve got a plan. And it comes with a little kick.”
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I leaned across the desk carefully so no one could overhear and began to share it.
***
On Friday, the garden was buzzing with celebration. “Open House Day.” I was standing beneath a chestnut tree, wearing my favorite white sweater. Frank stood beside me. Calm, composed, with a spark in his eyes.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
Daniel and Janelle walked in. This time, they didn’t mistake the doors. They moved fast, like someone who just saw their bank balance drop. Daniel looked breathless.
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“Mom! We came because… because we got a very concerning letter!”
“Your lawyer contacted the bank!” Janelle snapped. “You transferred everything to… to…”
She whirled toward Frank.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
“To him?! Are you out of your mind?!”
“It’s so obvious!” Daniel added. “He convinced you! This is a total setup!”
Frank raised an eyebrow, unbothered.
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“Would you like to hear my official diagnosis? Evie is perfectly healthy. Psychologically. Emotionally. Intellectually.”
For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels
For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels
“That’s a lie!” Janelle shouted. “She left everything to you! Of course you’d say that!”
“So, you’re admitting,” I said, calmly setting down my teacup, “that your concern depends entirely on who inherits my estate?”
Silence. Thick and telling.
“That’s not true!” Daniel muttered. “We… we’re just worried.”
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For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
I stood and stepped toward them.
“You weren’t worried when you disappeared from my life. When the calls stopped. Until I wasn’t convenient.”
“Evie…” Frank started.
I held up a hand.
“I did transfer everything to Frank.”
For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels
For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels
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Janelle’s eyes widened like she was auditioning for a daytime soap.
“But not forever,” I added.
“He’s just a temporary trustee. Because there’s one boy who never forgets to hug me. Who remembers my birthday, even at nine. Everything belongs to him. And Frank? All he asked for was dinner.”
For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels
For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels
Frank grinned. “And I believe she said… she’d think about it.”
“You’ve lost your mind…” Janelle whispered.
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“No, dear. I think you just lost control. And for the first time in a very long while, that feels pretty wonderful.”
I took Frank’s arm. Behind us, silence. Not the cold kind. The kind that makes people finally… think.
