Payments from a Whitmore holding company.
Rachel had received monthly money for five years.
“I never knew.”
“I believe you.”
“Why?”
Lucas gave a sad smile.
“Because Mom returned most of it.”
Daniel stared at the records.
“She didn’t want his money?”
“She wanted you to know me.”
“Why didn’t she contact me directly?”
“She tried.”
Lucas produced three letters.
All addressed to Daniel at the Whitmore corporate office.
All stamped as received.
All had been redirected to Charles’s executive suite.
Daniel held them with shaking hands.
Twenty years.
First steps.
Birthdays.
School concerts.
Graduation.
Twenty years had existed without him.
And suddenly Daniel understood something about Emily and Grace.
Children do not pause their lives until a parent becomes ready.
Every missed day becomes history.
“I have two daughters,” Daniel said.
“I know.”
“You do?”
“I looked you up.”
“Would you like to meet them?”
Lucas hesitated.
