“We needed the money, Mom—for the apartment, the car…”
“Did you need to lie to the woman who gave up everything for you?”
I went to the kitchen drawer and pulled out my checkbook.
“This ends today. No more $800. No more free babysitting. No more broken promises.”
I wrote a check for $500—the actual daycare cost.
“From now on, every penny I save will go into a fund for Max. When he turns 18, he’ll get it himself.”
“And my bedroom door stays locked.”
Silence stretched tight. Thomas stared at his hands. Lila opened her mouth, then closed it.
Max looked up at me, confused. “Are you mad, Grandma?”
I knelt beside him. “Not at you, sweetheart. Never at you.”
“Can we still use the walkie-talkies?”
I touched his cheek. “Every night. That’s our special thing.”
Thomas finally spoke. “Mom… please. We’re sorry. We’ll pay it back.”
“With what?” I asked softly. “With what money?”
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