Chapter 23 - The Account in My Name
Three years after leaving, NorthStar sent the final closure letter.
Fraud investigation complete.
My disputed guarantee permanently void as to me.
Credit reporting corrected.
No balance attributed.
No lien or claim against brokerage.
I read every line twice.
Then called Hannah Lee.
“Is this really final?”
“Yes.”
“No hidden tail?”
“Not from this facility.”
“Thank you.”
She laughed.
“You’ve asked that four times.”
“I like certainty.”
“I noticed.”
Brandon’s restitution obligations continued through criminal judgment.
The bank had recovered additional money through business sale and insurance.
My parents owed nothing further.
Dad’s settlement complete.
Mom’s secret loans unrecovered and written off personally.
Everything financially attributable was finally where it belonged.
I opened my brokerage account.
Balance had grown.
Not dramatically.
Enough.
I had stopped checking daily.
I used part for down payment on a small condo in Minneapolis.
Mine.
No secret lease.
No emergency exit apartment.
A home.
Two bedrooms.
I almost bought one bedroom.
Then decided I wanted an office.
Maybe someday guest room.
No plans beyond that.
Samantha helped me carry boxes.
Mom brought groceries.
Dad mailed a toolbox.
May you like
I let him.
The first night, I slept with all lights off.
