"But my eyes were healthy before the fall."
Dad hesitated.
"You had occasionally complained of eye strain, but nothing in your records indicated the kind of serious condition the research program was supposedly treating."
I shook my head.
"Then why enroll me?"
"That's what I tried to find out."
He showed me another page.
It contained a financial payment authorization.
The receiving organization was listed as a consulting company associated with the Lumen Project.
The payment was described as an administrative reimbursement.
But the amount made my stomach twist.
**$150,000.**
I stared at it.
"Who received this?"
Dad looked at me sadly.
"An account controlled by your mother."
I felt as though someone had struck me.
"No."
"Mara—"
"That's impossible!"
Dad remained silent.
I pushed the document away.
"Mom took care of me. She taught me how to live without sight. She stayed up when I cried."
"I know."
"She loved me!"
