Preston stood in the doorway longer than necessary.

For a man accustomed to contracts worth hundreds of millions, one child’s quiet okay was the most serious agreement he had ever made.

PART 13: A Teacher Who Refused to Be Rescued

Preston asked Naomi whether she would consider accepting a larger apartment and new car.

He approached the conversation cautiously, but it still went badly.

“You think if you make everything comfortable enough, I’ll forget what happened?” she asked.

“No.