Just a copy of her recording on a USB drive. And a note: Settle, or this goes to the District Attorney. Fraud is a felony, Julia.
Two weeks later, their lawyer contacted ours. Diane offered a settlement: full ownership of the house returned to Harold, repayment of half the drained funds (it was all they had left), and a public withdrawal of all abuse claims. In return, we’d stop litigation and sign a non-disclosure agreement regarding the criminal aspects.
I read the terms aloud to my father in my living room. The fire was crackling, casting long shadows on the wall. “What do you want to do?” I asked.
He looked at me with hollow, tired eyes. “What would you do, Sarah?”
“I’d take it,” I said. “I’d take the house.
I’d take the money. And then I would burn them slowly.”
He looked at the fire for a long time. Then he nodded.
“Do it.”
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