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25

When I found out Farrell had given all his money to the caregiver.

My mom went ballistic.

She chased them down to Caelan's house to demand it back.

Looking at Caelan's gravely ill daughter in bed, and Evelina's pale face from caring for the child,

I began to understand why he wanted to help Caelan so much.

Thank goodness I had signed the divorce papers.

My mom kept insisting that the lottery winnings were our marital property,

Farrell had no right to hoard it, and Caelan had no right to inherit it.

Watching Caelan scatter Farrell's ashes into the ocean,

In that moment, I found peace.

Maybe there was nothing more I could do for him.

But I could respect his wishes,

Respect his choices.

I grabbed my mom and dragged her out of Caelan's house.

I paused, turned to Caelan and said,

"I'm sorry, we have no objections to his will. I hope it helps those he wanted to help."

"And thank you for being there for him in his final days."