I left the hospital carrying my daughter’s ashes when my husband finally called from wherever he was with his mistress and coldly said, “The bill has been taken care of. Stop bothering me.” I didn’t argue with him. I didn’t allow him to hear my voice break.

“Do not ask her to justify leaving her marriage.”

My throat tightened as I read his familiar handwriting.

My father had understood long before his death that I might eventually need an escape route from the Fairchild estate.

“He wanted you protected from harm,” Gideon said quietly.

“I needed him alive,” I replied, my voice breaking slightly.

“I know,” the old man said gently.