Chapter 12 - THE MONEY SARAH COULDN’T EXPLAIN
The independent audit took six weeks.
By the end, the numbers were undeniable.
Sarah had spent $327,000 of Tyler’s settlement funds on expenses unrelated to him.
Medical procedures.
Car payments.
Travel.
Credit cards.
Furniture.
Legal fees.
Cash withdrawals.
Another $81,000 was questionable.
Sarah’s attorney called it family support.
The auditor called it unsupported.
Michael stared at the report for nearly an hour.
“My brother died for that money.”
I looked at him.
“No.”
“Jason died.”
“The money was supposed to protect Tyler afterward.”
Michael nodded.
His eyes filled.
“And Mom used him.”
“Yes.”
That truth was harder for him than the favoritism.
Because Sarah’s entire identity had been sacrifice.
She reminded everyone constantly.
How much she gave.
How much she suffered.
How much she did for family.
Now numbers told a different story.
She had taken too.
A lot.
Michael’s guilt deepened.
He had benefited indirectly.
Sarah paid for family vacations.
Birthday dinners.
Christmas gifts.
At least some came from Tyler’s account.
“I want to repay everything I received.”
He said.
Caroline looked at him.
“That may be difficult to calculate.”
“Estimate high.”
He sold his vintage motorcycle.
Liquidated a small investment account.
Redirected part of his inheritance.
Not because the court ordered him.
Because he needed to separate himself from the money.
I watched him do it.
Part of me respected him.
Part of me remained angry.
Repair does not erase the moment the roof collapsed.
One evening he asked.
“Do you still want to be married to me?”
I looked at him.
“I don’t know.”
His face changed.
“I thought we were okay.”
“No.”
“We are functioning.”
“That is different.”
He sat down.
“What do I need to do?”
I shook my head.
“That question is part of the problem.”
“What?”
“You want a list.”
“Camera.”
“Therapy.”
“Repay money.”
“Cut off Mom.”
“Then you can finish the list and get the marriage back.”
Michael stared at me.
“I don’t know if trust works like that.”
He whispered.
May you like
“I know.”
That was the first correct answer.
