Chapter 10 - THE DOCTOR’S SECRET
Dr. Samuel Price was arrested the following morning.
His attorney insisted the payments were consulting fees.
The records said otherwise.
Grace sat beside Ethan as investigators explained what they had discovered.
Price had provided Charles with confidential information about Grace’s appointments.
Her health.
Her pregnancy.
Her schedule.
Everything.
“Did he hurt the baby?”
Grace asked.
The investigator answered carefully.
“We have no evidence that he intentionally caused harm.”
“That isn’t what I asked.”
“No.”
“Based on what doctors have reviewed, there’s no indication he physically harmed your child.”
Grace exhaled.
“But he gave Charles my information.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Money.”
Ethan looked away.
It seemed impossibly small.
Money.
That was what all of this kept returning to.
Money.
Power.
Fear.
People destroying lives to protect numbers on paper.
Charles remained in custody.
Rebecca Sloan disappeared.
Police believed she had left the state.
Evelyn surrendered voluntarily.
Before she did, she asked to see Grace.
Grace refused.
Ethan respected the decision.
Then Evelyn asked to see him.
They met in a private interview room at her attorney’s office.
Evelyn looked smaller without the mansion around her.
“I’m pleading guilty to unlawful confinement.”
Ethan said nothing.
“And conspiracy.”
Still nothing.
“I gave them everything I know about Charles.”
“Good.”
She looked at her son.
“Do you hate me?”
Ethan considered the question.
“No.”
That surprised her.
“I don’t know what I feel.”
“Maybe someday—”
“Don’t.”
Evelyn stopped.
“Don’t ask me to promise someday.”
“I can’t give you that.”
She nodded slowly.
“I understand.”
Ethan stood.
“Grace almost lost our child.”
“I know.”
“You don’t get to repair that with an apology.”
“I know.”
He walked toward the door.
“Ethan?”
He stopped.
“I did love you.”
He looked back.
“That was never the problem.”
“You loved me so much you decided you were entitled to control my life.”
Evelyn lowered her eyes.
“That isn’t love I want anymore.”
He left.
Outside, Grace waited in the car.
She looked at him.
“Okay?”
“No.”
He got in.
“But I will be.”
Grace reached for his hand.
It wasn’t forgiveness.
May you like
Not yet.
But she didn’t let go.
