When I needed adaptive technology for college, she said the equipment was too expensive.
I applied for grants.
When Nigel suggested specialized rehabilitation training before our marriage, Mom complained about the cost.
All those years, I'd believed our family was struggling financially.
Now there was evidence that millions had once been placed in a trust associated with my injury.
I felt sick.
Then Evelyn turned the final page.
"This is unusual."
I looked up.
"What?"
She pointed toward an older payment record.
It was dated five days before my playground accident.
A consulting fee had been issued to an entity linked to the Lumen Project.
The receiving account belonged to someone named **Martin Vale**.
My heartbeat stopped.
"Vale?"
Evelyn nodded.
I stared at the name.
Martin Vale.
Nigel's father.
The man who had died when Nigel was seventeen.
The man Nigel rarely spoke about because their relationship had been difficult.
