“Yes.”

“Then go.”

Chapter 9 — Sophia — Personal

I rented a small gray sedan instead of using Daniel’s car service and asked the retreat not to confirm my presence to anyone. The drive from Malibu to Santa Barbara took under two hours but felt like crossing from one life into another.

I kept thinking about the wedding — the laughter, the music, my father’s hand shaking slightly as he placed mine in Daniel’s. Had everyone been watching a celebration?

Or had Daniel and Rebecca been watching a transaction reach completion?

My father’s house sat above the harbor among olive trees and weathered stone, still smelling faintly of cedar and lemon oil. I parked behind the garage, out of view of the windows.