You didn’t remove money that legally belonged to either of them.
You stopped providing funds and released yourself from obligations you never had to carry.”
She paused.
“Albert, you are not punishing them by refusing to remain financially responsible for their lives.”
I gave a tired smile.
“It feels like punishment to them.”
“That may be because they confused your generosity with a permanent arrangement.”
I looked through the glass wall toward the reception area.
People moved quietly between offices, carrying folders and coffee cups, living ordinary lives that had nothing to do with mine.
“I never wanted them to need me,” I said.
“I wanted them to know I was there.”
Fiona’s voice became gentler.
“Those are not always the same thing.”
The truth of that stayed with me all afternoon.
I had spent years believing that helping Logan meant staying useful.
Paying a bill before he asked.
