Chapter 9 - NORA’S ANGER
Nora Rowan had always believed Gavin was family favorite.
Not loved more.
Trusted more.
Peter had groomed him for business.
Beatrice called him first for decisions.
Nora became surgeon partly because she wanted life outside family orbit.
After her divorce, she moved to Denver and stayed.
She visited holidays.
That distance now turned into guilt.
“Mom was alone with Monica because I lived two thousand miles away.”
Gavin said:
“No.”
“I could’ve noticed.”
“So could I.”
They sat hospital rehab patio.
Nora looked at him.
“Do you know why Mom didn’t name Monica in old POA?”
“Because she wasn’t child.”
“No.”
“She actually considered.”
Gavin stared.
“What?”
Eight years earlier, after Peter died, Beatrice asked both children whether spouses should be included as agents.
Nora’s then-husband declined.
Monica wanted.
Beatrice refused after Monica made a comment about “streamlining inheritance.”
Gavin never knew.
Nora said:
“Mom didn’t trust her around money long before stroke.”
“Why didn’t she tell me?”
“Because she knew you’d defend.”
He hated.
Probably true.
Family secrets again.
Nora’s anger toward Monica became intense.
She wanted maximum prosecution.
Beatrice did not.
They argued through AAC.
Nora:
“She left you on floor.”
Beatrice typed:
YES
“She took money.”
YES
“She abused you.”
Pause.
YES
“Then why are you protecting?”
Beatrice typed:
I AM NOT
I WANT JUSTICE
NOT REVENGE
Nora cried.
“What’s difference?”
Beatrice took long time.
JUSTICE HAS RULES
The sentence changed Nora.
Not instantly.
But enough.
Gavin realized his mother had always been better at power than they were.
Then Beatrice selected:
NORA COME HOME MORE
Nora laughed through tears.
“Blackmail.”
Beatrice nodded slightly.
Yes.
Nora began visiting monthly.
May you like
Family repair beyond scandal.
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