“She gave you privacy.

And you showed her who you are.” The tears stopped as abruptly as a tap being turned off, and what was underneath them was not sorrow at all.

“You weak little boy,” she said, and her voice had gone flat and vicious.

“Without me you’re nothing but your mother’s obedient heir.”

I met her eyes, because this was the part I would not let stand.

“That is your last mistake,” I said.

“Gabriel is not my successor because of blood.

He earned that place through his character — the very thing you spent weeks trying to use as a door.

And the trust you planned to reach into once you were married cannot be touched by a spouse.

Not yours.