I took a deep breath, steadying myself. “Allison, I had to protect myself. After I realized what Kyle had done, I reported the theft to the authorities. The bank traced the transactions back to his account. They were waiting for me to give the signal.”

Kyle sputtered, his eyes wide with disbelief. “You set me up? You called the cops on your own family?”

My voice was firm, unyielding. “You left me no choice, Kyle. That money was my future, my livelihood. You crossed a line that can’t be uncrossed.”

As the officers handcuffed him, Kyle’s demeanor shifted from indignant to pleading. “This is all a misunderstanding. I was going to make us all rich!”

“Save it for your lawyer,” the officer interrupted, steering Kyle towards the door.

Allison was by my side, tears brimming her eyes. “Rebecca, I had no idea…”

I squeezed her hand, offering what little comfort I could. “I know, Allison. I’m sorry it had to come to this, but I couldn’t let it go.”

The room began to clear as the officers took Kyle away, leaving a heavy silence in their wake. My family members were a mix of stunned and sympathetic, most avoiding eye contact. The trust that had once bound us felt irreparably strained.

Later, as the adrenaline ebbed from my veins, I sat with Allison on the deck overlooking the lake, the cool breeze a balm to my frazzled nerves. “I didn’t want it to end like this,” I confessed, my voice shaky.

Allison nodded, her expression pensive. “I can’t believe he did this. I thought I knew him.”

“Sometimes we see what we want to see,” I replied softly. “But now, we have to move forward.”

We sat in silence, watching the sun dip below the horizon, painting the sky in shades of pink and orange. In that moment, despite the pain and betrayal, I felt a small measure of peace. I had stood up for myself, protected what was mine. And maybe, just maybe, this was the beginning of a new chapter for both of us.

The path ahead was uncertain, but one thing was clear: I would rebuild. Mitchell Designs would thrive again, not just for me but for everyone who believed in the vision. And as for family, it would take time to heal, but I held onto the hope that we could find our way back to each other, stronger and wiser from the trials we had faced.