Chapter 10 - The Truth About Larkspur Holdings
The ownership dispute reached a major turning point in April.
Rebecca obtained records showing that Larkspur Holdings had been organized through arrangements involving Maureen and a development intermediary connected to Preston Vale.
The disputed transfer appeared to rely on questionable authorizations attributed to my father.
A document examiner identified significant inconsistencies requiring further review.
Bank records also showed financial benefits moving to Maureen through accounts associated with Larkspur.
The evidence was substantial enough to support additional legal action.
---
I sat in Rebecca's office staring at the documents.
"Does this mean I get the café back?"
She answered carefully.
"It strengthens your claim. But the court still needs to resolve the legal issues."
I nodded.
For months, I'd wanted someone to say the matter was finished.
But I'd learned to value accurate answers over comforting ones.
---
The review also uncovered something strange about Dad's final months.
He had applied for a refinancing arrangement to repair the café's kitchen.
The application was denied.
Soon afterward, Maureen introduced Larkspur as a solution.
Dad initially considered a limited business arrangement.
Then rejected the proposed transfer after seeing terms that would surrender ownership.
Maureen proceeded to present documents suggesting he had approved it.
The gap between those two stories was the heart of the case.
---
When Maureen learned that Rebecca had obtained the records, she arrived at the café furious.
She slammed her purse onto the counter.
"You've ruined everything."
I looked at her.
"What exactly have I ruined?"
"My financial arrangements."
I stared.
"You mean the arrangement that took Dad's building?"
She looked away.
I continued.
"You told me he left it to you."
"He wanted the family protected."
"Then why did his estate documents name me?"
Silence.
Maureen's face changed.
For a moment, she looked old.
Tired.
Afraid.
Then she whispered, "You don't understand what it's like to have nothing."
I stared.
"Yes, Maureen. I do."
She looked up.
"I've worked six nights a week for two years while you controlled my wages and threatened my home."
Her eyes filled.
I continued.
"But being afraid of having nothing doesn't give you the right to take what belongs to someone else."
She began crying.
For once, I did not comfort her.
---
The legal process continued.
Preston's involvement became part of a broader investigation into questionable property transactions.
Some allegations remained disputed.
But the evidence surrounding Larkspur was no longer something Maureen could hide inside a manila folder.
---
That night, Gabriel came at midnight.
I made his coffee.
Then told him about the day's events.
He listened quietly.
When I finished, he asked, "How do you feel?"
I considered.
"Angry."
He nodded.
"Relieved."
He waited.
"Sad."
His expression softened.
I looked around the café.
"I thought getting the truth would feel like winning."
"And?"
"It feels like discovering how much time I lost believing a lie."
Gabriel reached across the counter.
He held out his hand.
He didn't touch me without asking.
I placed mine in his.
May you like
For a long moment, neither of us spoke.
And somehow, that was enough.
