“I was invited to a financial review.

The matchmaking was a surprise.”

Despite everything, I laughed.

Then I stopped, realizing how many of Marlene’s choices had been based on a fantasy she had told herself.

It was not love for Brielle that drove her.

It was control over the story everyone else was expected to believe.

PART 11

Silas offered to drive me to the lawyer’s office, but I went alone.