Chapter 9 - THE WOMAN WHO WALKED OUT
Navy left the Ramos estate three weeks later.
She didn't disappear.
She didn't change her name.
She didn't ask Diego for money.
She moved into a small apartment in Brooklyn and began working with an independent attorney.
Diego didn't stop her.
He helped arrange the transfer of her personal belongings, then stepped back.
Navy spent her first night alone sitting on the floor.
The apartment had bare walls.
A tiny kitchen.
And a window overlooking a street full of noise.
It was imperfect.
It was hers.
She locked the door.
Then unlocked it.
Then locked it again.
Finally, she sat on the bed and cried.
Not because she missed Diego.
Because nobody was coming to tell her to stop.
Over the following months, Navy worked with investigators and legal counsel.
She provided records.
Explained financial patterns.
And helped identify former foundation employees who might have relevant information.
The investigation expanded.
Several former administrators were questioned.
Records were subpoenaed.
And authorities began reviewing allegations involving the Martin Foundation's residential programs.
Navy also began therapy.
At first, she hated it.
She hated being asked how she felt.
She hated talking about her father.
She hated the way certain memories made her hands shake.
But slowly, she learned something.
Survival had taught her to endure.
Healing required her to feel.
One afternoon, her therapist asked:
"What would you like your life to look like?"
Navy stared.
Nobody had ever asked her that.
After a long silence, she said:
"I'd like to wake up without being afraid."
The therapist nodded.
May you like
"That's a good place to start."
And for the first time, Navy believed she might get there.
