“My past will destroy your future.”

“My future means very little if I ignore what’s right.”

“What about your reputation?”

He smiled, and it was a sad smile. “My name isn’t worth more than three little girls sleeping through the night for the first time in years.”

I couldn’t answer him.

The ceremony took place the following afternoon in his library. No guests, no celebration — a judge, Richard’s attorneys, and Evelyn as witness. I signed the certificate with shaking hands.