He had taken my pocket money.
And the apartment? Even worse.
He had sold something he didn’t legally own.
He had committed fraud.
I made coffee and sat down to think. I had two choices: warn him and save him… or let life teach him what I never could.
I remembered his words.
“See you. Or maybe not.”
I remembered Vanessa’s comment about my home.
I remembered signing those papers in trust.
I finished my coffee.
And chose not to save him.
The next day, a mother’s love stopped where the law began.
On Thursday, I dressed carefully—like I was going into battle. Navy silk dress, pearls, modest heels, red lipstick Carlos used to say made me look unstoppable. Then I called my lawyer, Mr. Richard Collins.
“Richard, meet me at the Pacific View Club at eight. Bring the police. I’m filing charges for fraud, forgery, and abuse of trust.”
He hesitated. “Margaret… he’s your son.”
“And he broke that bond first.”
I arrived at exactly eight.
The party was extravagant—white flowers everywhere, a string quartet, champagne, a towering cake. All paid for—or promised—with money Daniel thought he had.
When he saw me, he went pale.
Vanessa looked flawless in a designer gown. Daniel approached me, furious.