Chapter 11 - THE PRICE OF KEEPING QUIET
Daniel stepped into the hall and closed the room door behind him.
“How did you find us?”
“Marcus told me which hotel before he knew you were shutting out the entire family.”
Daniel made a note to speak with Marcus.
Then he looked at the folder.
“What do you want?”
“To keep this from becoming a disaster.”
“It already is.”
Evelyn’s mouth tightened.
She had Anna’s eyes.
That had made it hard for him to say no to her after the funeral.
Now it made him angrier.
“Rachel made mistakes,” she said. “She’s willing to apologize.”
“My daughter was trying to crawl away from her.”
“She lost her temper.”
“More than once.”
“You weren’t here all day, Daniel. You don’t understand how exhausting—”
“Stop.”
The word cut through the hall.
Evelyn glanced toward the elevator.
“Keep your voice down.”
Daniel almost laughed.
She was worried about strangers hearing him.
Her grandson had spent months wondering whether anyone would hear him at all.
Evelyn opened the folder.
“We could arrange for the children to stay with me while everyone settles down.”
“No.”
“You need to work.”
“I’ve arranged leave.”
“For how long?”
“That’s my responsibility.”
“Rachel has spoken to someone. There are concerns about your emotional state.”
Daniel looked at the papers.
“Did you sign her statement?”
Evelyn hesitated.
That was enough.
“What did you actually see?” he asked.
“I saw you struggling.”
“Did you see me hurt them?”
“No, but—”
“Did you see me leave them without care?”
“No.”
“Then you signed what she told you.”
Evelyn pushed the folder shut.
“She is my daughter.”
“So was Anna.”
For the first time, Evelyn had no quick answer.
Behind the door, a little voice said, “Dad?”
Daniel turned immediately.
“I’m right here, buddy.”
Evelyn reached for the handle.
“Let me talk to him.”
Daniel blocked it.
“No.”
“I’m his grandmother.”
“And he told you he needed help.”
Her face changed.
He had finally said the thing she couldn’t rearrange.
Evelyn stepped back.
“You can’t punish this family forever.”
Daniel opened the room door just enough to slip inside.
“I’m protecting mine.”
He locked it.
Owen stood beside the bed with Lily’s hand in his.
“Did Grandma come to get us?”
“No.”
His son looked at the lock.
“She said she would.”
“When?”
May you like
Owen swallowed.
“The day I told her about the laundry room.”
