Then I sat beside Henry's photograph.
For thirty-two years, I'd considered Malcolm family.
For nearly twenty, I'd trusted Daniel as my lawyer.
And for forty-four, I'd loved Trevor more than anything.
Three men.
Three different kinds of trust.
All broken.
I touched the photograph.
"Henry, I wish you were here."
Then I began crying.
Not because I wanted him to rescue me.
Because I was tired of discovering how many people had mistaken my love for weakness.
***
Two days later, Helen called.
"Gloria, we've found the beneficial owner behind Redcrest."
My heart quickened.
"Who?"
She hesitated.
"Daniel Pierce."
I closed my eyes.
Of course.
The man who advised me to sell River Oaks had an undisclosed interest in the company that purchased it.
He had presented himself as my protector while positioning himself to benefit from the transaction.
I felt sick.
"What about Malcolm?"
"He's connected to Ashcroft. The two businesses have overlapping arrangements."
