Chapter 17 - STERLING HOUSE IS SOLD
Sterling House sold to a nonprofit cultural foundation.
Not my father.
Not me.
Not Julian.
The mansion would become a conference and arts center with part of the grounds open to the public.
The sale price paid down secured debt.
VMC released the mortgage.
The Vale trust received its contractual share.
Other creditors were paid according to priority.
No one secretly profited beyond disclosed rights.
Eleanor’s apartment remained hers subject to restitution claims.
Julian moved into a smaller townhouse.
The grand staircase where I had hidden the phone would belong to strangers.
Before closing, the foundation allowed us one supervised retrieval day.
I went for Lily’s belongings.
Julian came separately.
Under the third stair, the loose floorboard remained.
Empty.
I touched it.
Maya asked:
“Want it?”
“The floorboard?”
“For sentimental reasons.”
I laughed.
“No.”
Good.
Not every object needed preservation.
The new owners repaired it.
May you like
The hiding place disappeared.
That felt right.
