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I stood up slowly, my hip still aching, but my mind crystal clear. \u201cAnd if I refuse?\u201d<\/p>\n
That\u2019s when Vanessa smiled. Really smiled. \u201cWell, an elderly woman, recent surgery, probably took too many pain medications\u2026 got disoriented on the boat.\u201d She shrugged. \u201cTragic accidents happen all the time.\u201d<\/p>\n
I\u2019d raised this man from diapers, and now he was standing there, nodding along while his wife threatened my life. \u201cYou\u2019re both insane if you think you\u2019ll get away with this.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cActually, Mom, we\u2019ve thought it through pretty carefully,\u201d David said, pulling out a folder. \u201cYour signature here, transferring all assets to us for your own protection, and we all go home happy.\u201d<\/p>\n
I looked at the documents, at my son\u2019s expectant face, at Vanessa\u2019s phone, still recording. Then I looked at the ocean, vast and dangerous, and somehow less frightening than the two people who were supposed to love me.<\/p>\n
\u201cGo to hell,\u201d I said.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s when Vanessa moved behind me and whispered those words about sharks. The push wasn\u2019t violent; they were too smart for that. Just a sudden shove when I was off balance. Over I went, navy dress and all, into the cold Atlantic. As I hit the water, I heard David shouting, \u201cMom! Oh god, Mom!\u201d But I also heard Vanessa\u2019s voice, lower, talking to someone on the phone. \u201cYes, we\u2019ll need you to file the emergency petition first thing Monday morning. She\u2019s clearly not competent\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
Then the water closed over my head.<\/p>\n