Chapter 13 - FIVE DAYS
The foundation’s internal controller was arrested for falsifying records.
He admitted Martin had paid him.
But the four million dollars remained in motion.
Legal teams moved to freeze it.
A federal investigation began.
Alexander’s world became lawyers, auditors and subpoenas.
Meanwhile, Lily had a recital.
Not music.
Mobility.
Her orientation-and-mobility class held a demonstration for parents.
Lily navigated a small obstacle course with her cane.
Alexander sat in the front row.
At one point Lily stopped.
Listened.
Adjusted.
Continued.
No panic.
No Cassandra moving things secretly.
No adult standing nearby waiting for her to fail.
When she finished, Alexander stood before anyone else.
Lily smiled toward the sound.
That afternoon, Naomi delivered the deadline.
“The foundation’s annual donor conference is in five days.”
“I know.”
“Martin’s allies want the board to dissolve the current leadership structure before the audit becomes public.”
“Why?”
“To protect themselves.”
“If the structure changes?”
“Records become harder to trace.”
Alexander leaned back.
“So we have five days.”
“Yes.”
The board battle began.
Some directors supported full disclosure.
Others feared scandal.
One elderly donor told Alexander privately:
“Elena would have wanted us to protect the foundation’s reputation.”
Alexander answered:
“No.”
The man looked surprised.
“Elena would have wanted us to protect the children.”
That became Alexander’s position.
If transparency damaged the institution, the institution deserved damage.
The mission could survive truth.
It could not survive corruption.
Then came another blow.
Rosa’s sister was detained in an immigration check.
The issue was resolved within hours.
But the timing was obvious.
Rosa panicked.
“Cassandra warned me.”
Alexander immediately called Naomi.
Investigators found no evidence Cassandra initiated it.
Someone else had made an anonymous complaint.
Martin’s office?
Unknown.
Rosa’s fear returned.
“I can’t do this.”
Alexander listened.
This time he did not tell her what she should do.
“What do you need?”
She cried.
“I need my family safe.”
“We’ll help with counsel.”
“I don’t want favors.”
“It isn’t a favor.”
Rosa looked at him.
Alexander corrected himself.
“It is a favor.”
Then smiled sadly.
“And you’re allowed to receive one.”
Rosa stayed.
The next day, Alexander received an invitation.
Cassandra wanted to see him once.
Naomi advised against private contact.
They arranged a monitored meeting at her attorney’s office.
Cassandra looked exhausted.
No red silk.
No cameras.
No perfect hair.
“I’m going to testify against Martin.”
Alexander said nothing.
“He’ll destroy me if I don’t.”
“You helped him.”
“I know.”
“Do you?”
She closed her eyes.
“Yes.”
“You still keep talking about what Martin did to you.”
She looked at him.
“What about what you did to Lily?”
Tears appeared.
“I was jealous.”
Alexander almost laughed.
“Of a child?”
“Yes.”
The answer surprised him with its honesty.
“You loved Elena.”
“Yes.”
“Everyone loved Elena.”
He waited.
“The foundation was hers.”
“Yes.”
“The house still felt like hers.”
Alexander understood where this was going.
“Lily looked like her.”
Cassandra nodded.
“And every time you looked at Lily, I felt like I disappeared.”
Alexander stared at her.
“So you punished Lily for reminding me of her mother.”
Cassandra cried.
“Yes.”
There it was.
No strategy.
No Martin.
No money.
The ugliest truth was simpler.
Jealousy.
Alexander stood.
“You should tell that truth in therapy.”
“I am.”
“Good.”
“Will you ever forgive me?”
He thought of Lily crawling on the hallway floor.
“I don’t know.”
Cassandra nodded.
Then reached into her bag.
“I brought you something.”
A small memory card.
“What is it?”
“A backup Martin doesn’t know exists.”
“Of?”
“The night Elena died.”
Alexander stopped breathing.
May you like
Cassandra whispered:
“Martin has been lying to you about the accident for years.”
