Chapter 4 - What Belonged to MeThree months later, the legal proceedings reached their conclusion. Marcus accepted a plea agreement that included probation and court-ordered employment requirements. My parents were forced to downsize their suburban home and repay the stolen money through court-mandated restitution.
They tried reaching me a few times through relatives and intermediaries. The messages talked about forgiveness. Family unity. Starting over.
I deleted them without responding.
I no longer needed their approval. I no longer needed them to admit they were proud of me.
The promotion I had once desperately wanted them to celebrate was still mine. So were my shares. My career. My money.
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And, finally, my decisions.
I had built my life with my own two hands. From that day forward, it belonged entirely to me.
