Security stopped him at the gate.
Daniel came to find me.
“My father is outside.”
I was surprised Daniel still used the word father.
Then I realized biology had stopped being the point.
“What does he want?”
“To give you something.”
I considered refusing.
Then walked to the gate.
Charles looked older.
Smaller.
Control had once filled every room he entered.
Without it, he looked like an ordinary man in an expensive suit.
“Claire.”
“Charles.”
He held out a folder.
I didn’t take it.
“What is it?”
“The final Riverside shares I still own.”
“I don’t want them.”
“I’m giving them to Bennett Commons.”
That surprised me.
“Why?”
He looked past me toward the wedding.
Daniel laughing with Lucas.
Emily dancing badly.
Grace chasing bubbles.
Barbara speaking with Anna.
A family he had spent decades controlling now flourishing without his control.
“Because I finally understand what Michael meant.”
