“You knew what Daniel had arranged, didn’t you?”
Her eyes fell to the folder.
That was enough.
I opened it.
“When your brother died, he left a trust for Walter.”
Lisa closed her eyes.
Finally, the missing piece from the last four years fell into place.
“Daniel told you about the trust.”
She looked away.
“Didn’t he?”
“Shortly before he died.”
“But he never told me.”
“Apparently not.”
“And you knew whoever cared for Walter could request money for his expenses.”
“With oversight.”
“And that’s why you wanted guardianship.”
“It’s not that simple.”
“Then make it complicated.”
“I needed money, Mom.”
She began crying.
“For what?”
“My business was falling apart.” She wiped her face. “Before Daniel died, he told me about Walter’s trust. I’d already asked you for help, and you said no.”
“So?”
Her voice cracked. “So I thought the trust could save my business.”
I stared at her.
“And all you needed was Walter.”
She sobbed harder. “I was desperate. I wasn’t going to steal it!”
“What were you going to do?”
“Manage it.”
“For yourself?”
“I would’ve put it back.”
I gave a short laugh because I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.
“Of course.”
“He’s nine! What does a nine-year-old need that kind of money for?” she snapped. “It was just sitting there!”
“It’s his.”
“I know that!”
“Apparently you don’t.”
Lisa fell silent.
I let the words sit between us.
But her confession still wasn’t finished.
“And now?”
She said nothing.
That silence was enough.
“You saw my accident as another chance.”
“Mom…”
“Another chance to get Walter. And another chance to get near his money.”
Her eyes filled with tears. “I never thought you’d actually drive that far.”
“You told me to use the old pair.”
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