Once Henry was gone, I waited until the house was silent, then opened my eyes. Sure enough, when I checked my bank account, my balance had predictably tanked to zero.
Good thing I’d stashed my lottery winnings in a separate account ages ago.
With a sigh, I didn’t hesitate this time–I called the cops.
The station was just around the corner, so they showed up in under five minutes.
I figured it’d take longer to track Henry down, but to my surprise, the officers had him with them already.
“Ms. Thorne; can you confirm this is the person you reported?” one of them asked, pushing Henry forward.
I’d already explained everything over the phone, so I just nodded, still a bit stunned by how fast it all
went down.
The officer added, “We spotted him skulking by the entrance to the complex. Tried to bolt the second he
saw us.”
Caught red–handed.
I let out a bitter chuckle. Pathetic.
Henry’s face turned every shade of red and purple as he gaped at me. “How were you awake?”
I lowered my voice. “You really thought I wouldn’t notice the sleeping pills in the milk?”
Henry’s face went even paler, if that was possible.
“And did you know,” I went on, “that the money you took was maybe one percent of what’s in my accounts?”
I pulled up my lottery winnings account and let him see the balance.
His eyes practically popped out. “You… how do you have that much money?!”
“The day I told you I was closing the restaurant? Yeah I’d just won eight million in the lottery.”
He looked like he’d been punched in the gut. Perfect.
I didn’t mind pushing him further into despair.
“If you hadn’t ditched me back then,” I added with a little shrug, “all of this could’ve been yours.”
Henry’s pupils shrank, pure regret written all over his face. “I… Mom, I know I messed up, please…”
He stammered, giving me those desperate puppy eyes, probably hoping for a miracle.
Too bad for him. There was zero chance I’d waste any pity on him twice.
