Chapter 17 - Sadie’s Sanctuary
Two hundred miles away, in Cape Haven, the ocean waves broke gently against the rocky bluffs beneath my new home.
My cottage was warm, filled with the scent of burning cedar in the stone fireplace and freshly baked bread cooling on the counter. The rooms were filled with Arthur’s books, my favorite rugs, and fresh flowers I had purchased from the village market.
My phone rang. It was Sadie, calling from her cell phone.
“Grandma?” she whispered, her voice trembling.
“I’m here, Sadie darling,” I answered softly.
“Mom took us to Grandma Miller’s house,” Sadie sobbed. “Dad lost his job. The police were at our house yesterday. Mom says they’re getting a divorce and Dad might go to jail. Everything is falling apart, Grandma.”
My heart ached for my grandchildren. They were innocent victims of their parents’ unbridled vanity and greed.
“Listen to me very carefully, Sadie,” I said, my voice steady and reassuring. “Your grandfather and I established separate educational trust funds for you and Owen the day you were both born. Neither your father nor your mother has ever had legal access to those accounts. They are managed directly by Martin Vance.”
Sadie went quiet on the line.
“Your college education is completely paid for,” I told her. “Your healthcare, your boarding school if you wish to escape the chaos, your future—it is all protected. You will never have to suffer for your parents’ mistakes. Do you understand me?”
“Grandma…” Sadie broke down into deep, cleansing sobs of relief. “Why are you so good to us after what Dad did?”
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“Because love doesn't keep a ledger of other people's sins, sweetheart,” I said softly. “You and Owen are my blood. When the school break arrives, Martin will arrange for a private car to bring you both up to my cottage by the sea. You will always have a home with me.”
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