I smoothed my daughter’s hair and looked out the tall windows at the whole bright city laid out below.

Camden had tried to make Esme small before she drew her first breath — tried to weaponize her name, erase what I had built, and crown a false heir on a foundation of lies.

Instead he had handed me, along with my freedom, the clearest purpose I have ever had.

I kissed my daughter’s forehead, and I picked up my folder, and I carried her with me toward the door and the cameras and the whole open field of everything that came next — walking, the two of us, into a life in which we would never again bow our heads to anyone on this earth.