Chapter 9 - THE MONEY STORY
The Maple Ridge proceeds revealed another layer.
$412,000 sale price.
After costs and remaining obligations:
$120,000 to Sophie’s custodial account.
$165,000 retained by Vanessa.
$46,000 transferred back to Linda.
Memo:
FAMILY RESTORATION.
Vanessa said Linda had paid years of support expenses and called the $46,000 repayment.
Some receipts existed.
Nothing criminal.
But emotionally, every dollar had meaning.
Linda told Vanessa:
This is what the family sacrificed so you and Sophie could become permanent.
Vanessa internalized debt.
Rachel was told nothing.
Then Rachel found one note from Linda:
R. must never know. If she feels cheated, she’ll blame Sophie.
The entire structure depended on predicting emotions before letting people have them.
Then an old email from David surfaced.
To Vanessa:
Your mother is making Sophie responsible for your mental health.
Vanessa replied:
You don’t understand what she did for us.
David:
That’s exactly the problem.
Rachel stared.
May you like
Linda had not only helped Vanessa survive.
She made herself necessary to the survival story.
