Chapter 12 - Jiso’s Explanation Finally Runs Out
Jiso requested a mediated meeting before any civil trust claims moved further.
Mason agreed because Rebecca believed hearing her position could clarify what was still disputed.
Jiso entered looking nothing like the woman from the nursery.
No satin.
No perfect updo.
No effortless control.
She looked exhausted.
Mason felt nothing resembling victory.
He asked one question.
“Why Lisa?”
Jiso’s eyes filled.
“I never wanted to seriously hurt her.”
“That isn’t an answer.”
“I needed Monday gone.”
“So you injured a ten-month-old.”
“I thought it would be small.”
Mason felt sick.
Jiso continued quickly.
“Monday had been taking pictures of financial paperwork. She was telling you things. Claire had poisoned her against me.”
“Claire was dead.”
“You know what I mean.”
“No. I don’t.”
Jiso’s composure cracked.
“Claire always made me the greedy sister.”
“Were the reimbursements legitimate?”
“I worked for Dad.”
“That wasn’t my question.”
Jiso looked away.
“Some paperwork was informal.”
“Did you authorize payments to your company after Claire removed you?”
Silence.
“Did you give me an altered trust binder?”
Her attorney intervened.
Jiso did not answer.
Mason leaned back.
There it was.
Even now, she wanted sympathy before truth.
Jiso finally whispered:
“Do you know what it was like watching Claire get everything?”
Mason stared.
“Her marriage. Her baby. Dad’s trust. The houses. Everyone treating her like she was the good daughter.”
Mason’s voice softened.
“And you thought Lisa owed you for that?”
Jiso’s face collapsed.
“No.”
“You treated her trust like she did.”
“I was angry at Claire.”
“Then Claire died.”
Jiso covered her face.
“I know.”
“And Lisa was still here.”
Jiso began crying.
For the first time Mason understood the cruelty without needing to simplify the person.
Jiso loved Claire.
Resented Claire.
Grieved Claire.
Envied Claire.
And instead of facing those contradictions, she transferred the resentment downward to the child who inherited Claire’s place.
Understanding did not reduce what she did.
It made the warning clearer.
May you like
People did not need to hate someone completely to harm them terribly.
Sometimes resentment living beside love was enough.
