"Are you okay, Emma?" Charles asked. "Can I get you a glass of water?"
"I'll get it," I said in a rush, pushing myself out of the seat. I needed a break from the story, from the truth of how I came into this world. It was so different than I'd ever imagined. I returned with a glass of water, and after taking a small sip, I encouraged, "Go ahead. I'm ready."
"Derek agreed to restart their relationship, and to be there for you when you were born. Months later, he bought a house in Lincoln where you were raised for seven years. Rachel chose not to live there after Derek's death, but the house was not rightfully hers and became a part of his estate. Which brings me to why I am here today."
"Wait," I intercepted frantically. "Did they ever get married? Did he love her? What about his parents? Are they still in Lincoln?"
"I'm sorry. I am certain you have more questions than I am capable of answering. No, Rachel and Derek never married. He did care for her, and he was convinced that she loved him. But he admitted to me that he did not trust her. She was young and irresponsible, tending to be a bit excessive in her social habits."
I smirked with a disgruntled shake of my head, knowing he was politely saying that she was a drunk even back then. This was who she always was. It wasn't a symptom of grief, a way for her to cope. It was as much a part of her as the lies she'd led me to believe all of these years. The lies that included a fairly tale romance, a marriage that didn't exist and a love destroyed by a senseless accident. And where did I fit into her delusions?
My throat was tight. My insides were hollow. I thought my head might explode from all the conflicting emotions coursing through me.
"Your grandparents moved to Florida before you were born. They, your grandmother in particular, did not approve of having a child out of wedlock, so they disconnected themselves from Derek and Rachel, and therefore, from you. Apparently your grandfather did not feel as strongly, and when he passed fifteen years ago, he left a sizable inheritance to each of his sons―despite Laura's wishes.
"That inheritance is the foundation for your father's estate." He opened the folder and began displaying sheets with numbers and charts in front of me. I was too overwhelmed to understand them. They became a blur of ink before my eyes.
"What is this?" I choked, my hands trembling in my lap.
"This, Emma, is your future," he explained smoothly. "Your father invested wisely, and with his earnings at the firm, the sale of the house in Lincoln, and his life insurance policy, on top of what he had inherited from your grandfather, his estate is quite impressive. All of these assets become your legal right when you turn eighteen in June.
"I decided not to wait until then to speak to you since you have financial obligations with Stanford that need to be addressed more immediately. Congratulations you on your acceptance."
"Uh, thank you," I replied automatically, staring at the figure at the bottom of the page―several commas floating before my eyes. "So this is mine? I can afford to go to college?"
"My dear girl, you can afford college, medical school and still be able to open a clinic in Africa if you wanted." I looked up at his wrinkled face and for the first time his lips motioned a smile.
"I still don't understand," I uttered. "George never claimed to have money. I mean, I lived with them for years."
"George." Charles said it as if the name itself was an enigma. "George's choices were never made clear to me. All I know is that he was provided with an inheritance similar to your father's. What he chose to do with it or to divulge to his wife, is not something I know anything about." He paused. His grave expression pierced me. "I can never express to you how sorry I am for what happened to you while you were in their house." My eyes stung with tears. I blinked heavily to ward them off. "No one should ever have to go through what you were subjected to.
"But your father would be proud of the person you have become, Emma. You are strong and intelligent, and the fact that you are here trying to make amends with Rachel means you have a good heart. He would be very proud."
I nodded, swallowing against my closing throat. I diverted my eyes, not wanting to cry in front of this man.
"You will continue to receive your monthly allowances, and they will increase once you turn eighteen. You will not have full control of your funds until after you graduate from college, or when you turn twenty-one. However, if you need anything, you may contact me at anytime, and I will make the proper arrangements for you, whether it is a computer, or a car, or an emergency situation. Your father has entrusted me to use my best judgment in assisting you."