It raised them, and it cost you your credibility on top.”

Jason put his face in his hands.

He had spent a year, and in truth far longer, demanding access to my money while secretly hiding his own, and now both halves of that hypocrisy were going to be read aloud, together, in a courtroom, in front of a judge who set the price of children.

Chapter 16 — The Conference Room

He texted me that evening, frantic. I need to see you, Clara.

Please. And I agreed to meet him — but not at the house, and not at a restaurant, and not anywhere he might mistake for intimacy.