Chapter 19 - THE LAST THING DANIEL KNEWI refused to believe it.
I refused to believe it.
Not because my father deserved defending.
He didn’t.
But because there was a difference between betrayal and murder.
I had seen my father make terrible choices.
I had seen him protect Vanessa.
I had seen him chase money.
But killing Daniel?
No.
That was a line.
Even he could not cross.
Right?
Adrian saw my expression.
“He didn’t kill Daniel.”
I exhaled.
“Then why say it?”
“Because he helped create the situation.”
I looked at Rebecca.
She understood immediately.
“Explain.”
Adrian continued.
“Your father gave Robert information.”
“What information?”
“Daniel’s plans.”
My hands tightened.
“What plans?”
“The evidence.”
My father had betrayed Daniel.
But not because he wanted him dead.
Because he wanted control.
Because he believed he could fix everything.
The same excuse he always used.
“I didn’t mean for this to happen.”
I whispered:
“He always says that.”
Adrian nodded.
“That was his greatest weakness.”
“What?”
“He believed intentions mattered more than consequences.”
That sentence stayed with me.
Because it was exactly my father.
He could hurt people.
Then convince himself he was still a good man because he never intended to.
Rebecca received a message.
She read it.
Then looked at me.
“Your father wants to talk.”
I almost refused.
Then I thought about Lily.
About Daniel.
About the truth.
“Where?”
The meeting happened in prison.
My father looked smaller.
Not weaker.
Smaller.
Like the person who had spent his entire life pretending to be powerful had finally run out of places to hide.
He looked at me.
“I know why you’re here.”
“Good.”
Silence.
“Did you betray Daniel?”
His eyes filled.
“Yes.”
The honesty shocked me.
“Why?”
“Because I thought I could fix it.”
I laughed quietly.
“Of course.”
He looked hurt.
But I didn’t care.
“I thought Robert would help.”
“Help?”
“I thought if Daniel stopped digging, everything would settle.”
“And when he didn’t?”
My father looked down.
“I panicked.”
“Daniel died.”
“I know.”
“You watched me bury him.”
“I know.”
“You watched Lily grow up without him.”
“I know.”
His voice broke.
“I know.”
For the first time, I saw something real.
Not excuses.
Not manipulation.
Regret.
But regret does not reverse damage.
“Why did you let Vanessa target Lily?”
My father closed his eyes.
“Because Robert told me it would work.”
I froze.
“He was still involved?”
“Yes.”
“How?”
My father looked at me.
“Because Robert never died.”
I already knew.
But hearing him say it hurt differently.
“Where is he?”
My father hesitated.
Then whispered:
“He’s coming back.”
The room went cold.
“What?”
“He knows you found everything.”
“How?”
My father looked terrified.
“Because someone told him.”
I stared.
“Who?”
My father looked at me.
May you like
And said:
“Your mother.”
