"I want five hundred thousand dollars in cash. The moment I sign, I walk out that door and you'll never hear from me again. Otherwise, I'll die right here in this house and turn it into a place no one will ever want to live in."
Mrs. Gilbert Sr. sneered. "You think your life is worth five hundred thousand?"
As if a life could be measured in dollars.
Thaddeus pressed a hand on her arm, his face dark and menacing as he stared at me. "Pearl. Are you threatening me?"
"It's a transaction. Five hundred thousand buys you a lifetime of happiness and a birth certificate for your son. You're telling me that's not worth it?"
His jaw worked silently. I could practically see the calculations ticking behind his eyes: She's only got three months left anyway. The money goes out, but she won't live long enough to spend it all. Once she's dead, it comes right back to me.
"Deal!" The word squeezed through his clenched teeth. "Your turn. Sign. Now."
My phone chimed.
Five hundred thousand dollars. Deposited.
I checked the balance notification, then signed my name in one clean stroke.
Pearl Cobb. The ink was still wet.