The sound of a car door drifted through the open window. My father’s silver sedan had pulled into the driveway, and relief washed through me — then the passenger door opened, and Rebecca Lane stepped out.

I stepped back. “She’s here,” I told Noah. “With my father.”

“Do not confront her alone.”

Their voices carried faintly through the foyer as they entered. Then Rebecca said, “Charles, we should finish this before Daniel returns.” Daniel returns.

He was coming here. I ended the call and slipped the letter and trust copy into my bag. Footsteps approached the study. I barely stepped away from the desk before the door opened.

Chapter 11 — What My Father Knew

My father stood there, older than he’d looked at the wedding, his shoulders drooping. His face shifted from surprise to fear. “Sophia.” Rebecca appeared behind him — no red dress today, only a charcoal suit and pearl earrings.