Family.
What did that word mean to them? That I should absorb years of hostility and jump at the chance to fund an event I wasn’t welcome at?
I looked at David carefully.
“Invite them for dinner Friday,” I said. “You, me, Josh, and Kelsey.”
“And?” he asked.
“I’ll bring a signed check.”
He smiled in relief and tried to hug me. I stepped aside.
They thought I didn’t understand the game.
They were wrong.
Friday night arrived like a performance.
David set the table as if hosting dignitaries. Josh and Kelsey arrived fashionably late. Kelsey was bright, polished, and observant — her gaze lingered just a little too long on our furniture.
Dinner was stiff until wedding planning came up.
“We’re budgeting about seventy-five thousand,” Kelsey said lightly, scrolling through photos of tropical venues. “Maybe a little more.”
I stood.
“Excuse me. I have something for you.”
In my office, I picked up the prepared folder.
When I returned, I placed it in front of Josh.
“There’s a check inside,” I said. “More than enough for the wedding and honeymoon.”
Kelsey’s eyes widened. She reached for it.
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