“And Brandon?” I asked.

“He will not go to jail,” Arthur said. “But he is bankrupt.”

“He will have to find a job to pay off his remaining debts,” he said.

“The family business is gone,” he added.

I nodded.

It was a harsh reality, but it was the truth.

They had built their lives on lies and theft.

And now, the foundation had crumbled.

I stood up and shook Arthur’s hand.

“Thank you for everything, Arthur,” I said.

“Your grandmother would be very proud of you, Ava,” he said.

“She knew you were strong,” he added.

I walked out of his office and onto the campus.

The autumn leaves were red and gold on the trees.

Students were walking past me, carrying books and laughing.

For the first time in my life, I felt like I belonged among them.

I was not a secret to be hidden away.

I was not a tool to be used for my brother’s mistakes.

I was Ava Parker.

And my future was finally my own.