Chapter 5 - Victor’s Offer
Victor came three days later.
He did not cry.
Victor believed tears were weakness.
Instead, he arrived with an offer.
“Drop the complaint.”
I laughed.
He frowned.
“I’m serious.”
“So am I.”
He placed a document on the table.
“What is that?”
“A settlement.”
I read it.
He offered to pay for my medical care.
I looked up.
“With what money?”
His expression hardened.
“That’s none of your business.”
I smiled.
“It becomes my business when you use it to bribe me.”
Victor leaned closer.
“You don’t want this going to court.”
“Why not?”
“It will be humiliating.”
“For whom?”
He stared at me.
Then said quietly, “For everyone.”
I nodded.
He was right.
It would be humiliating.
For him.
For Claire.
For the family name.
For every person who had believed they were devoted children caring for a disabled mother.
Victor stood.
“You have no idea what you’re doing.”
I smiled.
“You’re right.”
He paused.
“I don’t?”
“No.”
I leaned back.
“You have no idea what I’ve been doing for two years.”
May you like
For the first time, Victor looked afraid.
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