Ashes Learned Human Names novel · Chapter 8 of 24
Chapter 8: Cut It
The stepmother's words hung over the hearing table.
Gabriel's mother stood with her gold bracelet on the oak, waiting for Rafael to stand down.
"Well?" she said. "Twenty-five years of family, Rafael. Is she worth it?"
Rafael rose from his chair.
He buttoned his jacket slowly and looked at the three faculty members instead of at her.
"I'd like it noted," he said, "that I was threatened in front of a university panel."
"Rafael..."
"Cut it," he said. "Write it today. I'll sign it in the hall."
Gabriel's mother actually stepped back.
"You don't mean that," she said.
"The trust paid for my school," Rafael said. "It paid for my car, and for every dinner you ever made me sit through. I'll give it all back."
He turned to Lucia.
"I'm engaged to her," he said. "That is not a thing I'm going to do halfway."
Nobody in the room breathed.
Marta, on Lucia's other side, put one hand to her mouth.
The oldest panelist cleared his throat.
"I think we've heard enough," he said. "Ms. Sandoval's suspension is lifted while the police investigate. Ms. Ibarra will give a written statement within forty-eight hours. Mr. Castellanos, please take your guests out."
Gabriel's mother's face had turned a patchy red.
"You'll regret this," she said to Rafael, low. "Every penny. Every door."
"I know," he said.
He said it simply, and he did not look sorry.
Out in the hall, he signed the paper that her lawyer slid across to him.
He signed it without reading.
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