"Maybe," I said. "Or maybe she'll find someone else to pay her way before that."
"She doesn't realize she's destroying herself," she said quietly.
"She'll blame everyone else when it's done," I replied.
Doris nodded. Then she gathered her purse and stood. "Thank you for meeting me, Patrick. You didn't deserve this."
"No one does," I said, standing, too.
She hesitated, then put a hand on my arm. "You know, if you ever want to send her the message that she can't use people anymore, don't argue with her, just succeed. That's the one thing she can't handle."
I smiled. "Already working on it."
When she left, I sat there for a few more minutes, staring at the folder. I didn't need the money, but the gesture mattered. It meant someone in that family finally saw the truth. For the first time since this whole mess started, I felt something close to satisfaction. Not revenge, just confirmation that I wasn't crazy for drawing the line. Minerva had fooled everyone for years. Now, one by one, they were waking up. And the best part? I didn't have to lift a finger.
Three quiet weeks went by. No yelling, no drama, no late-night door knocking. I was starting to forget what it felt like to constantly brace for chaos.
Then, on a random Thursday morning, my phone buzzed again. Billy.
I hesitated before answering. Last time she called, it was an apology. This time she sounded exhausted.
"Patrick, she's living with me now," she said right away, "and I'm losing my mind."
I almost laughed. "What happened to Landon's big love story?"
"He still visits, but barely. She won't leave the couch. I get home from work and she's sitting there in pajamas talking to her followers about her healing journey. She keeps saying she's rebuilding after narcissistic abuse."
I raised an eyebrow. "She actually says that?"
"Every day," Billy groaned. "She filmed a video crying because she said I don't support her growth. Meanwhile, I'm paying her share of groceries and she refuses to look for a job."
I leaned back in my chair. "Sounds familiar."
"She told me last night that Landon's going through financial stress and can't help her right now, which I think means he stopped sending her money."
"Good for him," I said. "Reality's hitting the fan."