That was why the closing had become so important.
My mother had expected the sale to produce enough money to cover what they had already spent.
Once the developer owned the property, she apparently believed I would have no practical choice but to accept a share of the proceeds and move on.
They had gambled on my silence.
Three days after the email, I met Maya at her office with my father.
He had asked to speak to me alone.
I refused.
He arrived looking ten years older than he had at our last family dinner.
Maya placed the witnessed authorization in front of him.
“Is that your signature?” she asked.
He looked at me first.
I said nothing.
Finally, he nodded.
