"She's found a school-district apartment she loves, but she's short on the down payment. We're family, Sarah. Helping each other is what we do." He leaned closer, his voice dripping with faux sympathy. "Besides... holding onto that money will only make you feel worse. Giving it to Diana could be seen as... accumulating good karma for the boy, don't you think?"
Mrs. Lawson chimed in on cue, her timing impeccable.
"Sarah, dear, the boy is gone, and Mom knows you're hurting. But you're still young. You and Derek will have another child. We have to look out for the living."
She even managed to squeeze out a few tears, acting the benevolent matriarch planning for my future.
Diana lifted her head, eyes rimmed with red, playing the reluctant beneficiary.
"Sister-in-law, I know I shouldn't bring this up right now, but the kids need a good school. It's a huge matter. Don't worry, I'll pay you back. I'll even write you an IOU..."
Around the room, the relatives nodded in solemn agreement. A chorus of vultures.
I looked at them, one by one.
The final piece snapped into place. No wonder they wanted to murder my son. It wasn't just hatred—it was insurance fraud. They killed my child to buy a condo.