Chapter 15 - Ethan's Letter

Nathan opened Ethan's letter in the same kitchen where the nightmare had started.

Grace sat beside Lily on the sofa. Victoria was at the hospital under police guard for her part in the assault. Richard was in custody. Margaret waited in the library, alone.

Nathan unfolded the paper.

Nate,

If you're reading this, I probably ran out of time.

Nathan stopped.

Grace touched his arm. "You don't have to read it out loud."

"Yes, I do."

He continued.

I know you. You'll want one villain because one villain is easier to punish. Don't do that. Richard is stealing. Dad is hiding it. Mom signed papers she should have read. Victoria knows more than she admits. And I kept telling myself I could protect Grace without telling her how dangerous this had become.

We all made choices.

Some were scared choices. Some were selfish. Some were evil.

Don't confuse them, but don't excuse them either.

Nathan's voice broke.

The last paragraph was shorter.

If Grace is alive, believe her. If our baby is alive, tell them I wanted both of them more than anything. And please, Nate, don't let the Cole name matter more than the people carrying it.

Nathan lowered the letter.

No one spoke for a long time.

Lily climbed off the sofa and walked toward him.

"Was Daddy nice?"

Nathan crouched.

"He was annoying."

Lily blinked.

Grace almost laughed.

Nathan smiled through tears. "He stole my clothes. He cheated at cards. He once put a frog in my bed."

Lily's mouth opened in delight. "A real frog?"

"A huge one."

"Mommy, Daddy put a frog in Uncle Nathan's bed!"

Grace finally laughed.

The sound hurt and healed at the same time.

Then Nathan's phone rang.

Maya.

He answered.

"We finished checking the ledger," she said. "There's a problem."

Nathan looked at the black book.

"What kind of problem?"

"The last transfer happened eighteen months after Ethan died."

Nathan's eyes narrowed.

"Richard was already under investigation then."

"Exactly. And the authorization didn't come from Margaret."

"Whose signature?"

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Maya took a breath.

"Yours."