Each bloom was dark and full.
For the first time, I realized the bouquet hadn’t been part of Sabrina’s cruelty.
It had originally been a gift from my son.
Something loving had been turned into an instrument of humiliation.
Caleb looked devastated.
“I wanted Dad to be there somehow.”
I reached across the table.
He took my hand.
And for a long time, neither of us spoke.
The following morning, Diane called with another discovery.
The disputed sale documents had been submitted through a private property consulting firm connected to Victor’s company.
The firm had received an advance payment of seventy-five thousand dollars from a prospective investor.
The payment had then been transferred into an account controlled by Sabrina.
Caleb sat opposite me at the kitchen table while Diane explained what the bank records appeared to show.
Sabrina had not merely helped her father.
She had positioned herself to receive money from a transaction involving a property she didn’t own.
Worse, several supporting documents appeared to have been created using scans of my identification.
Diane had already contacted the relevant authorities.
A formal investigation was beginning.
When the call ended, Caleb remained motionless.
I could hear birds moving through the climbing roses outside.
Finally, he asked, “How could I marry someone I knew so little about?”
I thought carefully before answering.
“People don’t always reveal themselves all at once.”
He stared at the table.
“I thought she loved me.”
“Maybe part of her did.”
He looked up.
“But love doesn’t excuse what she did.”
“No,” I said. “It doesn’t.”
