Lucas offered to accompany me, but I needed this one evening to be mine.

The ballroom was full of faces from my childhood.

People kissed my cheek and told me how proud Daniel would have been.

His portrait hung beside the stage, smiling beneath the words A LEGACY OF TRUST.

Richard approached before dinner.

“Claire,” he said, taking both my hands.

“How wonderful you’re here.”

I freed my hands gently.