Chapter 31
There are officially three weeks left of school, and it’s go-time.
By the end of the week, I have a paper due for AP Lit and a presentation for AP World History.
Finals start next week. I’m halfway through my Calculus study guide and have a couple of flagged practice tests queued up on my computer for the weekend.
My Lit and World History study guides will have to wait until I get these other assignments off my plate.
Thankfully, we’ve been working on our final project for Art in class, and I should be able to finish it without needing to do anything extra.
I’m so close to the finish line I can practically taste it. The only thing keeping me remotely sane is knowing I have a full semester off starting in January to recover, regroup, and figure out what’s next.
When Axel and I pull into the driveway after school, we notice Ben’s car is already there. It’s unusual for him to beat us home, but I don’t think much of it.
Inside, we find him at the kitchen counter, looking polished in his usual suit and tie, seated on one of the stools with a folder and a cup of coffee in front of him.
“Hey, kids. Good day?” he asks.
“Yep,” Axel and I reply in unison. The stress of school is hanging over both of us like a cloud, but we’re managing.
“Good.” Ben gestures to the stool beside him. “Lina, come sit. I’ve got a few things to talk to you about.”
Axel shoots me a curious look. I shrug. I have no idea what this is about either. While he heads to the fridge to grab us drinks and snacks, I take the seat next to Ben.
“Let’s start with the good news,” he says, folding his hands. “Our legal team was able to expedite the process with your mom’s will. The court has agreed to honor it. A judge is signing off, and once the paperwork is finalized, your inheritance should be released in the next few weeks.”
A wave of relief washes over me. That’s one enormous weight off my shoulders.
Joe had been the primary beneficiary, but with him now a fugitive wanted for my mother’s murder, we were able to contest it.
Since I was already named as the secondary beneficiary, the court sided with us.
It just took time. Especially since the FBI is helping manage the money transfer to protect my new identity and keep it untraceable.
“That really is good news,” I breathe, finally allowing myself to hope just a little.
Ben nods. “I thought you’d be glad to hear it.”
“What’s the bad news?” I ask, bracing myself.
He sighs. “Still no sign of Joe. Nothing on facial recognition, no flagged IDs or flagged passports. My best guess is that he made it out of the country, but don’t give up hope. If he’s still here, he’ll get cocky. Guys like him always do.”
I give him a grateful smile. Ben has done more for me than I could ever repay. I don’t know what the future holds, but I hope he’ll stay a part of my life.
He shifts, reaching for something else on the counter. “One more thing… this came for you in the mail today.”
He slides a large white envelope toward me. My heart skips a beat when I see the emblem stamped in the corner:
University of Tennessee.
Axel appears behind me, leaning over my shoulder to see what I’m holding. I stare at the envelope, reality hitting me at once.
School. Closure. Survival. A second chance.
Maybe even a future.
“You didn’t tell us you applied!” Axel says, his voice buzzing with excitement. He’s already accepted his place at The University of Tennessee in the fall. If I end up going, we’d be heading there together.
“To be honest, I kind of forgot with everything going on,” I admit.
“Well, open it already!”
My hands are surprisingly steady as I tear open the envelope’s top. It’s stuffed to the brim, and I have to work a little to pull everything out without shredding the contents. The first page is mostly blank with just the university insignia at the top. I flip quickly to the next.
I skim the text until my eyes lock on the only words that matter: “Congratulations” and “proud to accept.”
“I got in!” I gasp, beaming.
Ben squeezes my hand, pride written all over his face. “That’s great, Lina!”
“Like there was ever any doubt,” Axel teases with a crooked grin. “So… are you going to accept?”
I hesitate, and Axel’s smile dims just a bit. He’s trying to play it cool, but I can see the hope in his eyes.
“I’m not sure yet,” I say carefully. “I’ve gotten into a few other schools, too. I want to really think through what’s going to be the best fit.”
Axel nods, but his shoulders drop ever so slightly.
“I mean, staying close by is definitely part of the equation,” I add, glancing up at him.
That earns me a warm grin. Axel wraps his arms around my shoulders from behind and presses a soft hug into me.
“Good. We’d miss you.”
“It’s true,” Ben says, his voice a little rougher than usual. “But no matter where you go, this will always be your home.”
I don’t say anything right away. I just hold the acceptance letter in my hands, feeling the promise of something more. Something new. Something I earned.