Chapter 310: Truth
*She tried, but her Demons were stronger. – Bass*
Bass looked at his niece and saw the strength of his brother in her. There was no doubt, she was his child. She looked like him and had some of his mannerisms. And his stubborn streak that made her keep going even as she knew her world was falling apart around her.
He was proud of her. She made it out of hell and became a strong young woman. He wished that he could take even a little credit for that. The only person who had that right was Ryanne herself.
“She refused to get help.” Bass finally said. “Tried to kick the habit on her own. She could function and have a normal life when she was on her medication. But she always felt disconnected from everything.”
“It’s sometimes referred to as living in a fog.” Anthony interjected. “I have a lot of patients describe living as though they are watching their life happen around them. Like they’re trapped inside themselves. Drug zombie.”
Bass nodded. “She did try. But without Mike there to keep her on track, she spiraled out of control. I sent her money every month out of a trust. It went into a checking account that she could access anywhere. I didn’t know she had died until Phineas reached out to me.”
“We always watched the death notices,” Johanna added, “but we never knew where to watch. The account never closed. Although we did notice that she wasn’t taking anything out.”
Bass nodded. “It had happened before. A few months here and there when she was doing good.”
“I don’t think that she accessed it while you all were living with us.” Anthony added. “I wanted her to save up so she could give you three a good footing when you moved out.”
“I always thought it was from the Marines.” Rye whispered. “Mom always said it was because dad died.”
“It was.” Bass agreed. “It came out of your dads trust.”
“How much is in her trust?” Celt asked.
“Approximately three quarters of a million dollars.” Stephen said. “Leigh Anne has a little more due to interest. The remaining balance of your dad’s will be added to yours. All of Leigh Anne’s will be put into a trust for Michael.”
Unable to think about suddenly having so much money, Rye shook her head. “What are those documents in Italian?”
Bass sighed heavily. “Do you know about your birth mother?”
“She was a surrogate mother.” Rye said. “Mom couldn’t have kids after Leigh Anne, and they used a surrogate for me.”
“No.” Bass replied gently. “You are the product of my brothers one moment of weakness. He had an affair with an Italian woman. She was unwed and her family was devoted Catholics. To protect her, they said that she was a surrogate mother for Donna Leigh.”
Anthony cursed softly.
“She really did hate me.” Rye murmured and Chance kissed her head.
“She hated you both.” Bass whispered as he squeezed her hand. “She was pregnant with Leigh Anne when they met. He made Donna Leigh get clean and claimed Leigh Anne as his own child. His name is even on the birth certificate.”
“She never wanted to be a mom.” Anthony added. “But she loved your dad, and he loved being a dad.”
“What about my birth mother? Is she still alive?” she asked quietly as tears slipped from her eyes.
“She is.” Bass smiled. “Sylvia and her husband live in Venice with their children. The papers are relinquishing all of her rights to you. But then her father wanted to meet you. The second set of papers grants you full rights as his descendant. Including a percentage of the winery.”
“I’m sorry?” Chance said angrily. “Why would no one try to help her or Leigh Anne? You obviously all have the ability to.”
“It’s not that simple.” The gray-haired man said. “Donna Leigh kept off the radar as much as possible. She would withdrawal the money the same day it would be deposited. Typically, from an ATM not in the town they lived in. She had fake IDs and only used her real name to get gold star assistance.”
“By the time we would know where they were, they were gone to the next place.” Bass agreed. “We did everything we could short of kidnapping you girls.”
“We even tossed that idea around a time or two.” Johanna admitted.
“So did we.” Anthony said grimly. “When you told me that she was flushing her pills, we petitioned to have guardianship over you two. When I gave her the papers to sign, she flipped.”
“That’s why she had us move in the middle of the night.” Rye whispered as she wiped tears off her cheeks.
“Yes.” Tilly said wiping her own tears.
“I hate her.” Rye whispered as Chance tightened his arms around her.
“You’re allowed to, Duchess.” He whispered as he kissed her temple. “Tell me what you need.”
“Buttercup.” She whispered.
He nodded and sat her on her feet before standing up. He gave a look to Celt, and he nodded in understanding. Chance placed a protective arm around his wife and guided her out of the room as he called Carly.
“Where are they going?” Bass asked.
“To see her therapist.” Celt replied. “Now that story time is out of the way, I believe that we have some legal matters to deal with.”
Phineas had seen this side of his son very few times. This was the ‘I’m pissed off and going to use every legal manor available to make your life hell’ side of Celt. He leaned back and let the younger O’Malley take the lead.
Mary Kate was the child that he usually found aggressive and striking fear into those sitting across from her. But today, with his Saints cut on, tattoos exposed and anger clearly evident on his expression and emanating off of him, Phineas himself felt fear piercing even him.
