Chapter 21 - Beatrice Leaves
Beatrice’s divorce ended two years after wedding night.
Her marriage had lasted forty one years.
The judgment divided legitimate marital property after accounting for forfeited assets and restitution.
She received:
Condo.
Investment portfolio.
Some art.
Personal jewelry.
Pension rights.
Enough.
Not Vance empire.
She paid $212,000 restitution from her share under cooperation agreement.
Then she asked me to help choose dining table.
I laughed.
“Why me?”
“Because I don't know what I like.”
That was sad.
Then she bought round wood table.
No glass.
Not because symbolism? She said glass shows fingerprints.
We both knew.
Then her life became smaller and larger.
She joined a book club.
Visited sister.
Learned online banking.
Opened credit card with limit she chose.
Canceled it because rewards terrible.
These ordinary choices made her giddy.
Then she began therapy.
She did not spend life speaking about abuse.
She volunteered at museum.
Then one day she told me:
“I lied to myself that staying protected Julian.”
I said nothing.
“It taught him.”
Maybe.
Then:
“But I also liked my life.”
She insisted on that truth.
“I liked parties. Clothes. Being Mrs. Fernando Vance. I feared losing status.”
Good.
No saint.
Then:
“I signed those letters.”
“Yes.”
“I paid back.”
“Yes.”
“That doesn't erase.”
“No.”
She smiled.
“You’re terrible at comforting.”
“I know.”
Then her relationship with Monica.
After Monica’s release, she wrote:
I called you dramatic because if you were dramatic, I didn't have to admit Fernando was dangerous and I was helping him.
Beatrice eventually met.
They spoke.
No instant sisters again.
Years later, cordial.
Then Julian.
Beatrice loved.
Visited.
After release, dinners.
She did not hand him money beyond normal gifts.
No financial rescue.
When he asked for loan for apartment deposit, she said no.
Then later changed to small gift? Better she says:
“I can give birthday gift. I won't become bank.”
He found own.
Boundaries.
Then Fernando.
No contact.
When he died? Could later natural, perhaps at 82. Need close before Chapter25.
At eighty one, Fernando suffered stroke and later died natural complications.
He had been free several years.
Julian was with him.
Beatrice did not visit.
She sent no flowers.
Her choice.
When Julian called:
“Dad died.”
Beatrice cried.
Forty one years.
Grief does not require reconciliation.
She said:
“I loved him before I feared him.”
Then funeral.
She did not attend.
Julian did.
Monica did.
I did not.
No reason.
Then Fernando’s estate.
Transparent.
No offshore surprise.
Most traceable criminal assets long gone to forfeiture.
Remaining legitimate estate divided between Julian and charity? Maybe he left to Julian and Monica. Beatrice excluded due divorce. No secret.
No new financial scheme.
Then Beatrice told me:
“I thought his death would make me free.”
“Were you not already?”
“Yes.”
Then she smiled.
“That’s why it didn't change much.”
Good.
Then her own health.
She aged.
At eighty? Later.
Need maybe end close to Valerie. Could have Beatrice die natural years later, leaving letter. But not necessary. Yet Chapter25 full closure maybe nice.
Before that, she lived twelve independent years.
Then died peacefully at seventy eight? If 60s at start + 14 years. Natural heart failure.
Julian and I both attended funeral separately.
She left me one item?
The folded bank statement? Original evidence then returned maybe. Could leave her purse? But that feels symbolic. She could leave me the round wood table? Not needed.
She left me a small silver compact with note:
"For the woman who answered when I finally spoke." Maybe too sentimental.
Better no object.
She left letter:
Thank you for believing me after I made it hard.
Could be.
Then Julian and I spoke at funeral.
No reconciliation.
He said:
“She loved you.”
“I loved her too.”
May you like
That can be true.
Then we part.
