«Your Honor,» the prosecutor continued, «the defendants have also filed false police reports claiming the victim was financially abusing them when, in fact, she was supporting them.»
«I’ve reviewed those reports,» Judge Martinez said. «They’re clearly retaliatory and without merit.»
Dad tried one more time. «Your Honor, we’re willing to make restitution. We can pay Maya back.»
«With what money, Mr. Gill? According to the financial records, you’re completely insolvent.»
«We’ll figure something out. We’re family.»
«Mr. Gill, you forfeited the right to claim family loyalty when you committed fraud against your daughter.»
The judge’s ruling was swift and decisive. Dad got eighteen months in a minimum-security prison. Mom got twelve months of probation. Both were ordered to pay full restitution, though everyone knew they’d never be able to.
As the courtroom cleared, Kinley squeezed my shoulder. «How do you feel?»
«Empty,» I said honestly. «Satisfied, but empty.»
«That’s normal. You did the right thing.»
«Did I? I just sent my parents to prison.»
«You held them accountable for their crimes. There’s a difference.»
Outside the courthouse, reporters swarmed us. I gave a brief statement about the importance of financial boundaries and family accountability, then got in Kinley’s car.
«Where to?» she asked.
«The apartment. I want to see it.»
We drove to my old building in silence. The doorman, Carlos, recognized me immediately. «Ms. Gill, we heard about the trouble. I’m so sorry.»
«Thank you, Carlos. Is the apartment still empty?»
«Yes, ma’am. The sale was voided, so it’s still yours.»
I took the elevator up to the fifteenth floor and opened the door to my home. Everything was exactly as I’d left it eight months ago: my books on the shelves, my photos on the walls, my life frozen in time.
«It feels different,» I told Kinley.
«How so?»
«Smaller. Like it belongs to someone else.»
My phone buzzed with a text from an unknown number. I almost ignored it, then saw it was from Xander. «Maya, I wanted you to know, Sasha’s been telling everyone you bribed the judge and fabricated evidence. She started a GoFundMe to ‘fight your lies.’ It has $12 in donations.»
I showed Kinley the message. «She’s never going to change, is she?»
«Probably not. But that’s not your problem anymore.»
«What about my parents?»
«What about them? They’re going to prison because of me.»
«They’re going to prison because they committed crimes. You didn’t make them forge your signature, Maya. You didn’t make them steal from you.»
I walked to the window and looked out at the city skyline. Somewhere out there, my family was dealing with the consequences of their actions. Sasha was probably posting more rants on social media. My parents were probably still trying to figure out how to blame me for their situation.
«Kinley?»
«Yeah?»
«I want to sell this place.»
«Really?»
«Yeah. Too many bad memories now. I want to start fresh somewhere else.»
«Where will you go?»
«I don’t know yet. Maybe stay in Singapore. Maybe try somewhere new entirely.»
«What about your family?»
I turned away from the window. «What family? The people who raised me are strangers. They showed me exactly who they are when they thought I was powerless to stop them.»
«Do you regret it? Any of it?»
I thought about the question seriously. The years of financial support, the secret payments, the elaborate revenge, the public humiliation, the criminal charges. «No,» I said finally. «I regret that it came to this, but I don’t regret standing up for myself. For the first time in my life, I chose me over them.»
«And how does that feel?»
«Terrifying. Liberating. Lonely.» I paused. «But right.»
My phone rang. It was Detective Rodriguez. «Maya, I wanted to let you know, we’ve had three other families come forward with similar stories after seeing your case in the news. Parents stealing from adult children, forging signatures, financial abuse. Your case is opening doors for other victims.»
«That’s good, I guess.»
«It is good. You stood up for yourself, and now others feel empowered to do the same.»
After he hung up, I looked around the apartment one more time.
«Ready to go?» Kinley asked.
«Yeah, I’m ready.»
We locked up and headed for the elevator. As the doors closed, I caught my reflection in the polished metal. I looked different. Older, maybe. Definitely harder. But also free.
«Kinley?»
«Yeah?»
«Thank you. For everything.»
«That’s what friends are for. Real friends, you mean.»
«The only kind worth having.»
As we walked out of the building, I deleted my parents’ contact information from my phone. Then Sasha’s. Then every relative who’d sent me angry messages about destroying the family. The phone felt lighter in my hand.
Some bridges are meant to burn. And sometimes, the only way to save yourself is to walk away from the ashes and never look back. I was finally free to find out who I was when I wasn’t busy being everyone else’s solution. And for the first time in years, that felt like enough.
