I looked down at Amelia sleeping against my chest.
Her tiny fingers were curled around my hospital bracelet.
“What happens if I refuse?”
“Then the investigations proceed, and the relevant parties pursue their claims based on the evidence.”
I thought about the porch.
The pain in my scalp.
Courtney’s laughter.
My daughter arriving too early.
And Lucas, sitting at his desk in that recording, trying to protect us.
“No deal.”
Samantha nodded.
“I thought you’d say that.”
But my father had one more surprise.
He sent me a letter.
Not through his attorney.
Directly.
I recognized his handwriting before opening the envelope.
Victoria,
I know things got out of hand. I was under enormous pressure, and you were not thinking clearly after Lucas died.
Everything I did was to protect the family business.
You have to understand that your mother would never have wanted you to destroy your own father.
