The amount was enormous compared with her ordinary earnings, but it wasn't enough to make her wealthy. It would not replace a lifetime of work, and it could disappear quickly if she treated it carelessly.
Still, it represented something she'd needed desperately.
Breathing room.
She paid several outstanding expenses associated with her mother's care. She repaired the family's unreliable car, set aside money for emergencies, and helped Daniel purchase the materials and application fees he needed for college preparation.
She didn't buy a luxury handbag.
Didn't rent a penthouse.
And didn't quit her job the next morning to announce that she was starting an empire.
Instead, she sat at the kitchen table with Grace and Daniel, opened a spreadsheet, and began deciding how to use the money responsibly.
Her brother looked toward the total.
Then whistled.
“That's more than I've ever seen in one place.”
Imani smiled.
“Me too.”
Daniel leaned forward.
“Can we get a new television?”
Grace raised an eyebrow.
“Daniel.”
He grinned.
“What? I'm asking.”
Imani laughed.
“We'll discuss the television after we handle the bills.”
Her brother sighed dramatically.
“Being responsible is terrible.”
Grace laughed.
Then looked toward her daughter.
For a moment, the older woman's expression softened.
“Imani.”
She looked up.
“Yes, Mom?”
Grace reached across the table.
“I'm proud of you.”
Imani smiled.
“Because I got the money?”
Her mother shook her head.
“No.”
For several seconds, she studied her daughter.
“Because you didn't let that man decide what your education was worth.”
Imani felt her throat tighten.
Grace continued.
“And because you didn't become cruel when he tried to make you feel small.”
For a moment, the young woman looked away.
She remembered Walter's finger pointing toward her.
The laughter.
Julian's threats.
And the enormous fear that followed the night she opened the contract.
Then she looked toward her mother.
“I was angry.”
Grace nodded.
“I know.”
“Really angry.”
“I would have been worried if you weren't.”
Imani laughed softly.
Her mother squeezed her hand.
“Anger isn't the same thing as cruelty.”
For several seconds, neither spoke.
Then Daniel looked toward his sister.
“Can I ask something?”
Imani smiled.
“Go ahead.”
He hesitated.
“Do you wish you'd never said anything?”
The question surprised her.
For a moment, she thought about everything that happened.
The public attention.
The legal meetings.
The fear.
The sleepless nights.
And the possibility that the Sterling family might have completed the disputed documents if she remained silent.
She took a breath.
“No.”
Daniel nodded.
Then asked, “Even though it scared you?”
Imani smiled faintly.
“Especially because it scared me.”
Her brother frowned.
She continued.
“If I only did the right thing when it was easy, I wouldn't be learning very much about courage.”