“Emily heard everything she needed to hear that night.” “I can change.” “I hope you do,” Robert said.

“But becoming a better man doesn’t create an obligation for my daughter to wait for you.” Andrew was crying now.

And Robert showed no satisfaction, no triumph — only disappointment.

“You think you lost Emily because of your mother,” he said.

“You lost her because you chose silence.”

Chapter 17 — When We Started Believing

David stepped forward and delivered the final word, in the flat, precise language of business.

“Caldwell Construction’s contracts and financing will proceed according to their legal terms,” he said.