Chapter 9 - Derek Comes Back
Two years after the coffee incident, Derek requested a meeting.
Not directly.
Through Rachel.
I almost refused.
Then Rachel explained why.
Derek had completed the requirements connected to his case.
He was working again.
Living in a small apartment.
Attending counseling.
And he wanted to provide information relevant to restitution funds Suzanne had concealed.
That got my attention.
We met at Rachel's office.
Derek looked different.
No expensive watch.
No tailored suit.
No arrogance.
He sat across from me.
“Thank you for coming.”
“I came because Rachel said you have financial information.”
He nodded.
Straight to business.
Good.
Derek produced a folder.
Suzanne had apparently concealed cryptocurrency and proceeds from luxury sales through another account.
He had learned about it years earlier but never disclosed it.
“Why now?”
His face tightened.
“Because I should have then.”
“That isn't an answer.”
He nodded.
“No.”
He looked at his hands.
“Because for a long time, I thought admitting everything would make me the villain.”
I said nothing.
“And then I realized I was already the villain in what I did to you.”
I didn't correct him.
He continued.
“I can't change that morning.”
“No.”
“I can't change the money.”
“No.”
“I can't change what I let my family do.”
“No.”
His eyes lifted.
“But I can stop hiding things.”
He slid the folder toward Rachel.
The information eventually helped recover another significant portion of the stolen funds.
I never thanked Derek.
He didn't ask me to.
Before leaving, he paused.
“I heard about your foundation.”
I stiffened.
“It's good,” he said. “What you're doing.”
“Goodbye, Derek.”
He nodded.
“Goodbye, Claire.”
That was the last time I saw him.
And I was glad our final conversation wasn't dramatic.
No screaming.
No revenge.
No reconciliation.
May you like
Just an ending.
Some people don't belong in your future simply because they finally understand what they did in your past.
