Chapter 9 - The Ashes of the Past
Six months passed, and the Vance family name was completely ruined in their hometown.
Valerie was serving her time in a medium-security prison, struggling to survive without her luxurious comforts.
The IRS investigation had frozen all of his uncle’s assets, forcing the family hardware store into immediate bankruptcy.
His aunt and uncle were forced to sell their massive suburban home just to pay their mounting legal fees.
One rainy afternoon, a knock echoed on David's apartment door.
He looked through the peephole and saw his aunt standing in the hallway, looking ten years older and utterly defeated.
She was soaked from the rain, holding a cheap umbrella and trembling.
David unlocked the door and opened it just a crack, leaving the heavy security chain in place.
"David, please," she begged, tears streaming down her hollow cheeks.
"We have nothing left, we are losing the house, please drop the civil suit."
David looked at the woman who had tormented him his entire life, the woman who had excused the abuse of his innocent son.
He felt no pity, no anger, and no sadness.
He felt absolutely nothing.
"You defended a monster, and you attacked my child," David said in a quiet, chillingly calm voice.
"You made your choices, and now you are paying the bill."
"But we are family!" she wailed, reaching a desperate hand toward the door.
"I told you the night I left," David replied softly.
"You are nothing."
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He closed the door firmly until the latch clicked shut, locking it dead.
He walked away from the sound of her crying in the hallway and never looked back.
