He Gave Her My Home So I Took Back My Life Chapter 11
“Don’t thank me,” Mateo said, putting the tablet away. “You never should have had to endure any of this.”
My phone vibrated again. It was Alma Whitcomb, one of the foundation’s independent trustees.
Mateo started to get up to give me privacy, but I touched his wrist.
“You don’t have to go.”
He looked at me for a moment, then sat back down.
As soon as I answered, Alma dispensed with any pleasantries.
“Nora, I saw the news. I am so sorry. We should have put a stop to Graham’s ridiculous behavior much earlier. We let you suffer for too long.”
I tightened my hold on the phone but said nothing.
“The foundation has its standing because of the Hale property and your collection, not because of the Ashford name. We’ve seen what you’ve done all these years—maintaining relationships, organizing events, covering deficits.”
My eyes burned.
Alma went on, “I’m convening an emergency board meeting today. Whether you want your property back, your collection back, or to hold Graham accountable, I will support you. You don’t owe the Ashford family anything anymore.”
After the call ended, I sat motionless for a long time.
I had expected her to urge compromise for the sake of the foundation’s reputation. At the very least, I thought she would try to broker a quiet exit for me.
Instead, she had stood with me, unequivocally.
The responsibility and guilt that had weighed on me for years finally began to lift.
Alma’s last words rang in my ears—
*Do whatever you need to do. A Hale does not need to leave the Ashfords any room to maneuver.*