Chapter 2 - The Bait in the Water
The room seemed to tilt on its axis. Godfrey’s jaw dropped so low I thought it might unhinge, his eyes darting frantically from my face to the glowing numbers on my phone screen. Selina’s breath hitched, her fingers clawing reflexively at the hummingbird pendant as her brain raced to process a sum of money she had only ever dreamed of seeing on television. One point two million dollars. In a single stroke, the petty theft of monthly remittances and stolen jewelry became pocket change compared to the golden mountain sitting right in front of them.
"One... one million?" Godfrey stammered, taking a stumbling step forward, his previous arrogance entirely evaporated, replaced by a sudden, sickening greed that distorted his features. "Damian? Bro? Are you serious? A million dollars? From a lawsuit?"
"A workplace injury settlement," I corrected him smoothly, keeping my tone detached, like a mechanic diagnosing a cracked engine block. "A heavy press malfunction crushed my left shoulder two years ago while I was working the night shift. It took months of legal battles, endless depositions, and expert testimonies, but the corporation finally settled out of court. The funds cleared last Tuesday."
Selina’s expression transformed in a matter of seconds from defensive panic to a radiant, predatory calculation. The tears of indignation vanished from her eyes as she rushed forward, her hands outstretched, completely ignoring Phedra still leaning against my side.
"Oh, Damian! My boy!" Selina cried out, her voice dripping with sudden, nauseating affection as she tried to grab my arm. "Thank the good Lord above! You survived! You suffered so much up there in that awful cold, all alone! And look at you—blessed with the means to finally take care of this family the way we always deserved!"
I didn't pull away, but I didn't welcome her touch either. I let her grab my sleeve, watching the gears turn in her head with terrifying speed.
"We can finally finish the second-floor extension," Godfrey babbled, stepping in close, his hands shaking with excitement. "And buy out the commercial lease on the auto shop next door! Damian, with capital like that, we could expand into a full regional franchise! We'd be set for life! And... and you can finally get Phedra into that fancy private clinic downtown. The expensive one. Since, you know, money is no object anymore."
It was disgusting. Just moments ago, they were treating my dying wife like a stray animal eating scraps in the dirt, talking about her cancer as if it were a financial inconvenience. Now, with a million-dollar target painted on my back, they were ready to play the loving, supportive family.
"You're right," I said quietly, letting a faint, bitter smile touch the corners of my lips. "Money is no object anymore. In fact, since I've been away for four years and realized how much I missed managing my own affairs, I've decided I want to invest right here. In this house. In this family."
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Selina’s eyes lit up like a slot machine hitting the jackpot. "Oh, Damian, you've always been the smart one. We'll put the funds into a joint family account, just like old times. Your mother will manage it securely so nothing gets wasted."
"Actually," I replied, my voice dropping an octave as I planted the hook deep into their greed, "I was thinking of something even better. Something that legally binds all of us together to prove our loyalty."
