Part 18
Three weeks after the court ruling, the news finally broke on the front pages of the business section.
Vance Enterprises Files for Bankruptcy Amid Federal Fraud Investigation.
The article featured a picture of Jason being led out of his office building in handcuffs.
He looked messy, his tie undone, trying to hide his face from the cameras.
I read the article while drinking my morning coffee, the sunlight spilling beautifully across my kitchen table.
Lily was sitting nearby, happily eating her pancakes and watching a cartoon.
According to the report, Julian had cut a deal with the prosecutors, turning over all of Jason's personal ledgers in exchange for immunity.
The brothers had turned on each other, just as I knew they would.
Greed breeds loyalty only when the pockets are full.
When the money runs out, the rats always eat each other alive.
Evelyn had been forced to sell her beloved estate to pay off Jason's mounting legal fees, moving into a small rental outside the city.
The high society circles she had cherished so much had completely cast her out.
She was a pariah, a woman defined by the disgrace of her sons.
My phone rang, and Robert's name popped up on the screen.
"Have you seen the papers?" he asked, sounding thoroughly amused.
"I'm reading it right now," I replied, taking a sip of my coffee.
"The prosecutor called me this morning," Robert said. "Jason’s trial is set for next month. He’s looking at a minimum of seven to ten years for corporate fraud and embezzlement."
"They wanted to know if you wished to submit a victim impact statement regarding his financial manipulation during your marriage."
I looked at Lily, who was laughing out loud at a silly character on the television.
Her laughter was loud, pure, and completely unburdened by the darkness of the past.
May you like
"No, Robert," I said softly.
"Tell them I have nothing more to say to Jason. He no longer exists in our world."
