I felt it settle into me, the enormity of it: I would never again have to labor for the approval of people who saw me as disposable, never again have to shrink myself to fit the small, disappointing shape they had assigned me, never again have to protect a golden brother or apologize for existing.

“The federal filings against Vance Development will go through by nine tomorrow morning,” Julian told me, rubbing his thumb across the back of my hand.

“My board has already authorized a full takeover bid.

When the receivership closes, Mercer Capital will acquire eighty percent of Vance Development’s assets, and I am placing that entire equity package directly into a private trust, for you and for Noah.” I looked at him, surprised.

“Julian, you don’t have to do that.” “I’m not doing it as a gift, Chloe,” he said, with a warm and genuine smile.