Chapter 9 - Severing the Ties
The aftermath unfolded swiftly.
Landon was convicted on multiple felony counts, including wire fraud, grand larceny, breaking and entering, and extortion, receiving a sentence of twelve years in federal prison. Mara took a plea deal for her involvement in the fraud network, receiving three years of community confinement, probation, and mandatory wage garnishment to repay hundreds of thousands in restitution.
Mom arrived at my door one last time, looking diminished, stripped of her suburban pride.
"Barrett," she whispered on the front porch, tears streaming down her face. "Mara says it was all a misunderstanding. She needs you to pay for her defense attorney. You're her sister. We're family."
I looked at the woman who had forced me to hide a broken shoulder at nineteen to protect an illusion.
"No, Mom," I said gently, but with finality. "Family doesn't extort. Family doesn't forge a dead father’s name. Family doesn't demand you bleed so they can wear jewels."
I handed her a small envelope with bus fare and the address of a legal aid clinic.
"I won't be calling, and I won't be answering. Take care of yourself."
May you like
I closed the door and turned the deadbolt. This time, there was no phantom ache in my shoulder. Only silence—pure, clean, and unburdened.
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